Los Angeles FC advanced to the Western Conference MLS playoff semi-finals after beating the Vancouver Whitecaps 1-0 at the BMO Stadium on Friday. 

After a tense first-half that saw just one shot on target, Mateusz Bogusz's 62nd minute strike settled the best-of-three series to set up a tie with the Seattle Sounders. 

A cagey opening to proceedings saw clear-cut chances hard to come by, as visiting striker Brian White saw his effort comfortably gathered by Hugo Lloris in the 27th minute. 

But the decisive moment came just after the hour-mark when Andres Cubas' poor header was collected by Bogusz, with the Pole then firing a left-footed effort into the far corner. 

Vancouver, however, improved after going a goal down and thought they had drawn themselves level through Tristan Blackmon, but his 74th minute header was ruled out for offside.

The visitors continued to push to try and send the game to penalties, but LAFC were able to hold on to seal their progression to the semi-finals for the third consecutive season. 

Data Debrief: Bogusz keeps the double alive

In a game that lacked quality from both sides in the final third, LAFC's Bogusz proved to be the difference, netting his 20th goal of the season in all competitions on Friday. 

The Pole also registered a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 0.21, while also completing the joint-most successful dribbles (three) along with Lewis O'Brien. 

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, have still managed to win just once in their 13 all-time away matches against LAFC (D4 L8), though this one may be their most heartbreaking. 

Vanni Sartini opened his arms to an unlikely addition to the Vancouver Whitecaps’ fanbase in their deciding fixture against Los Angeles FC in the MLS playoffs.

In the Whitecaps’ wild card match against the Portland Timbers, a game they won 5-0, opposition manager Phil Neville believed that God was on his side after the game was played at Providence Park, despite Vancouver finishing higher in the Western Conference.

Sartini explained after the result that he did not believe in God but said he would be a welcome Whitecaps supporter in their must-win encounter at the BMO Stadium.

“I don’t know. After last time when I said that I don’t think he exists, I don’t know if he wants to become part of the Whitecaps, but if he does, we will give him an honorary card,” Sartini said.

The Whitecaps forced a deciding game in their best-of-three series after beating LAFC 3-0 at BC Place, the only tie to go the distance in the West.

Vancouvers’ postseason form has seen them play some of their best football this term, and Sartini is hoping for that to continue.

“We had a run in the late summer, and we were playing really well, and we have achieved that same level, and it’s the level of a top four team to be honest,” Sartini added.

“The three games, we knew that the conditions were going to be back, and we knew we were gearing towards the playoffs with all the players arriving and ready to go.

“I know that we will play a good game in Los Angeles, we will. If we win, I don’t know. We will honour this playoff run.”

LAFC, meanwhile, will be aiming to avenge their defeat in Game 2, hoping not to become the second high-profile casualty in the playoffs after the Columbus Crew were eliminated by the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference bracket.

Ryan Gauld opened the scoring in the 10th minute before two own-goals either side of half-time from Ryan Hollingshead and Eddie Segura sealed the win for Vancouver.

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo bemoaned his side’s slow start to proceedings after finding themselves two goals down inside 13 minutes and is looking to rectify that on home turf this time around.

“If you go back to the 11 games that we lost this season, it has always been the crucial moments at the beginning of the half where we make mental lapses and errors,” Cherundolo said.

“It was a little sloppy mentally and tactically in those moments and that is just not good enough to win games. Against Vancouver, it is difficult because they are a team full of energy.

“They almost always capitalise on opponents’ mistakes, and they did against us. We have nothing to blame but ourselves and we will look to correct those errors in training.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

LAFC – Denis Bouanga

Despite not finding the back of the net in Game 2, Bouanga will be hoping to get himself back among the goals against one of his favoured opponents in the MLS.

He has recorded at least one goal contribution in all five home matches he’s played against Vancouver in all competitions, totalling four goals and four assists over the five matches.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld has scored in four straight matches for the Whitecaps going back to the end of the regular season, including a goal during his side’s victory in Game 2.

The only Whitecaps player to score in five straight MLS matches (regular season and playoffs) is Camilo Sanvezzo between June and July 2013.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

While the series is level heading into the decider, it is LAFC who are predicted to emerge victorious according to Opta’s data-led simulations.

However, their seven-match winning streak in all competitions ended with the loss to Vancouver in Game 2. LAFC have not lost consecutive matches in over a year, since a three-match losing run between August and September 2023.

Vancouver’s 3-0 win last time out ended an eight-match winless run in the best-of-three series. (D2 L6). They have managed only one win in 12 all-time away matches against LAFC (D4 L7) but did beat the Black and Gold in a penalty shootout at BMO Stadium in the Leagues Cup this year.

The Whitecaps’ triumph in Game 2 was their third all-time playoff victory (D2 L8). In those three wins, the Whitecaps have outscored opponents, 13-0, while being outscored 19-6, in their other 10 postseason contests.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

LAFC – 63.1%

Draw – 19.6%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 17.3%

The Columbus Crew's MLS Cup title defence came crashing to a halt as they were eliminated from the playoffs following a penalty shoot-out defeat to the New York Red Bulls.

Following a surprise home defeat in Game 1, Wilfried Nancy's champions needed a road win in Game 2 to keep their season alive, but Yevhen Cheberko, Max Arfsten and Alexandru Matan all saw their spot-kicks repelled by Carlos Coronel following a pulsating 2-2 draw.

Arfsten had earlier given Columbus a 55th-minute lead moments after stepping off the bench, only for Dante Vanzeir to drill home a swift equaliser.

New York looked set to advance when Emil Forsberg's 80th-minute penalty completed the turnaround, but another Crew substitute, Christian Ramirez, headed home six minutes into second-half stoppage time to force the shoot-out.

Columbus couldn't keep up their momentum from 12 yards, though, with Colonel's three saves proving vital as New York won it at the second time of asking, Daniel Edelman scoring the decisive kick after Sean Nealis had failed to do so.

Elsewhere, the Seattle Sounders also needed penalties to dump the Houston Dynamo out in round one, prevailing from the spot for the second game in a row.

Seattle's Cristian Roldan scored at both ends, slotting home an 87th-minute opener only to put through his own net three minutes into stoppage time, turning in Griffin Dorsey's cross.

The first 13 penalties in the shoot-out were all scored, but Tate Schmitt was the unfortunate man to see his spot-kick saved, Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei pushing it away to send his team to the Western Conference semifinals.

Finally, Ryan Gauld scored and forced two own goals as the Vancouver Whitecaps kept their best-of-three series against Los Angeles FC alive with a 3-0 triumph at BC Place.

The Scotland midfielder powered home after 10 minutes and, just 180 seconds later, saw his long-range effort deflected past Hugo Lloris by the unwitting Ryan Hollingshead.

Denis Bouanga twice went close for the Western Conference's top seeds after the break before Gauld was involved again in Vancouver's third goal, seeing a cross go in off the heel of Eddie Segura.

The teams will now reconvene for a third match next week, with the victors set to face Seattle in the next round.

Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera were on target as Los Angeles FC edged out the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 on Sunday.

LAFC, the 2022 MLS Cup champions, will book their place in the next round should they win north of the border next week.

Ryan Gauld netted in the 94th minute for the Whitecaps, but it was too little, too late for the Canadian side, who hammered the Portland Timbers in the wildcard round.

LAFC have now won seven straight playoff games against Western Conference opponents, while Bouanga has netted eight goals in nine postseason appearances.

Hugo Lloris, however, says LAFC must sharpen up.

"The performance is not [good] enough, but we got the result so that's the most important thing," Lloris said.

"We need to increase [our levels] if we want to have ambition. A win is a win, so that's positive, but there were things we need to fix if we are to improve."

Elsewhere, Orlando City also made a winning start to their playoff campaign as they beat Charlotte FC 2-0.

Facundo Torres put Orlando ahead in the 32nd minute at Inter&Co Stadium, with Martin Ojeda doubling the hosts' tally 14 minutes from time.

A frustrating day for Dean Smith's Charlotte team was compounded when Pep Biel was sent off late on, though they will at least have home advantage when they look to turn the best-of-three series around next time out.

Ryan Gauld scored a hat-trick to help Vancouver Whitecaps thrash Portland Timbers 5-0 in the Western Conference Wild Card match.

Brian White and Stuart Armstrong also got in on the goals as the Whitecaps set up a meeting with top seed Los Angeles FC in the Best-of-3 First Round.

Most of the damage was done by three goals in 11 first-half minutes, with Gauld opening the scoring by capitalising on a goalmouth scramble on 20 minutes.

Mathias Loborda created the second with a lovely bit of skill, setting up White for a first-time finish, before Gauld scored a sumptuous volley, giving James Pantemis no chance.

While Portland offered some fight at the end of the first half, they could not keep their momentum in the second, with Armstrong’s diving header just six minutes after the restart putting Vancouver out of reach.

Gauld then wrapped up his hat-trick just before the hour mark, peeling off the back of the Timbers’ backline to slot his low finish past Pantemis from a tight angle.

Data Debrief: Five-star Whitecaps back on track

Vancouver booked their playoff spot early, but slumped over the line at the end of the season, going winless in their last seven outings in the regular season and losing the last four.

Vanni Sartini could not have asked his players to rekindle their form at a better time though, getting the better of their Cascadia Cup rivals for the first time since March.

Despite losing their home advantage due to scheduling clashes, Vancouver looked at home at Providence Park. They matched Portland's 12 shots, but got eight on target and accumulated 2.38 expected goals (xG).

Gauld was responsible for four of those efforts, hitting the target with each one. He also had the most touches in the opposition box (eight) and made the most passes in the final third (17) among his team-mates.

Vanni Sartini says he has hope as Vancouver Whitecaps look to end their recent losing run against Portland Timbers in the MLS playoffs Western Conference Wild Card match.

The Whitecaps finished eighth in the table, only above Wednesday's opponents having secured more wins, but due to scheduling conflicts, will not have home advantage for this tie. 

It is a disappointment to the club, who failed to win any of their last seven matches in the regular season, losing their last four on the bounce.

However, Sartini took heart from their playoff qualification and is confident his team can get back to winning ways in a game with so much resting on it.

"We need to be honest with each other," he told reporters. "We were honest when we had bad performances against Minnesota and Seattle, but the performances in the last two games were good.

"There were some moments [against Real Salt Lake] that make me really optimistic for Wednesday.

"Everything is not black now. It's a playoff game, everybody's happy to be in the playoffs, we're not moody. It will be a good game to turn up and play a good game against them."

Portland also slumped over the line at the end of the regular season, failing to win any of their last five, and failed to snatch a win at 10-man Seattle Sounders in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

They have not won at Providence Park since mid-September, and head coach Phil Neville is looking for improvements among his front line to get the better of their rivals.

"The front six, four in particular, have to do better for us," he said. "It falls on all of them to get us through the playoffs.

"Their effort is unbelievable, as is the concentration and discipline, but we need them to deliver in these big moments.

"Our forwards have been phenomenal this season, but they've got the challenge of working around the pressure, and the big players always step up, and we believe that ours can."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Isaac Boehmer

The Whitecaps lost their final four matches of the regular season and will be the first team in MLS history to enter the playoffs on a four-match outright losing streak.

In that run, Isaac Boehmer conceded eight goals and scored an own goal that turned out to be the winner against Real Salt Lake last time out. He will be keen to put things right when they face Portland on Wednesday.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander recorded an assist on Portland's lone goal in their season finale, his 18th of the season to go along with 15 goals.

Evander's 18 assists and 33 goal contributions are both Timbers single-season club records, surpassing Diego Valeri’s assist total from 2019 (16) and goal contribution total from 2017 (32).

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

This will be the second MLS playoff tie between Portland and Vancouver after the Timbers defeated the Whitecaps 2-0 on aggregate in the 2015 Conference Semifinals.

Overall, the eight meetings since the start of the 2022 season have been split, with each side winning three times and drawing twice.

The Whitecaps are only narrow favourites to win this game and have been eliminated in six of their previous seven MLS Cup playoff ties, only advancing past San Jose Earthquakes with a 5-0 win in the 2017 First Round. Vancouver have scored five total goals in their other nine all-time MLS playoff matches.

Meanwhile, Portland have not lost any of their five one-leg playoff matches at Providence Park (W2 D3), though they were eliminated on penalties twice after draws in those matches. The Timbers failed to score in their last two home matches this season, their first back-to-back scoreless games at the venue since 2019.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 39.9%

Draw – 26.6%

Portland Timbers – 33.5%

Pablo Mastroeni is not shying away from Real Salt Lake's desire to make club history when they conclude their regular-season campaign against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

RSL have been among the Western Conference pacesetters all season and enter the final MLS matchday fourth with 56 points from 33 matches.

One more victory will set a new single-season franchise record, a fact Mastroeni reminded his players of before they beat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 before the international break.

"I normally focus on just the one game, but the only way to get to 59 was to make sure we won in San Jose," Mastroeni told KSL Sports.

"It's about just putting a little bit of carrot on the end of the stick. It's not easy to make history at a club. 

"I just told the guys this is an opportunity to etch your name in stone as far as the regular season is concerned. It's a 34-game season, it's long and to be able to achieve that would be great.

"When you can see a commitment to the cause, it's really about those real things that make the team successful."

Vancouver, meanwhile, sit eighth in the standings and are guaranteed a play-in spot, though they must better Minnesota United's result to clinch automatic qualification.

Head coach Vanni Sartini believed his team deserved better after they lost 2-1 to Los Angeles FC in midweek, a result that took their fate out of their own hands.

"We have to work. At this moment I'm very disappointed, I've got to be honest," Sartini said. 

"I just wanted to say congratulations to the guys, congratulations to the fans, they were amazing. We played a fantastic game and we deserved to win."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango

Arango enters the final match of the season with 17 goals, tied with Alvaro Saborio (2012) for the most in a single season in Real Salt Lake's history. 

His 12 assists this season, meanwhile, are tied for second-most in club history behind Albert Rusnak's 14 in 2017.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White has scored a goal on each of his last five regular-season road appearances, the longest streak in Vancouver's MLS history and the longest streak in MLS since Josef Martinez netted in seven straight on the road from May to September in 2019.

MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN

Real Salt Lake have won three straight matches against Vancouver for the first time in club history. The only longer winning streak in the 32-match history of the series was a four-match run by the Whitecaps from 2014 to 2015.

The hosts enter the final match of the season on 56 points, one away from equalling the club's single-season record of 57 set in 2012. 

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, have lost three straight regular-season matches for the first time since the start of last season. They are winless in six straight league matches, equalling their worst run of the year.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 45.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 28%

Draw – 26.9%

Ilie Sanchez's stoppage-time goal secured Los Angeles FC a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS on Sunday.

Sergi Palencia's own goal had cancelled out Mateusz Bogusz's early opener at BC Place, but LAFC found their winner last on to close the gap to leaders LA Galaxy to just three points in the Western Conference.

David Martinez cut Vancouver's defence open with a throughball to Bogusz, who dinked a lovely finish over Yohei Takaoka from a tight angle on the left just 34 seconds into the match.

Bogusz then thought he had doubled their advantage after springing on a brilliant save from Takaoka to deny Palencia, but it was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

The Spaniard handed the Whitecaps their equaliser – he gave away a free-kick on the left and got the final contact on Sebastian Berhalter's free-kick to help it past Hugo Lloris.

Having weathered the storm from Vancouver after the equaliser, including a clearance off the line by Timothy Tillman, LAFC found a late winner, with Sanchez firing in from the edge of the box.

And Brian White, who had glanced a header narrowly wide earlier in the second half, squandered the chance for an even later equaliser, flicking another effort off the far post in the dying seconds.

Data Debrief: Quick out of the blocks

Despite their winning goal coming late in the game, it was actually LAFC's quick start that set them up for the win - Bogusz's goal was their fastest in MLS this season, and their second fastest in history.

They have also scored nine goals in the opening 15 minutes of games, with only St. Louis City (12) and New York City FC (11) netting more.

Meanwhile, Vancouver have now lost each of their last three matches, their longest such streak since October 2022-March 2023.

Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini believes the international break will benefit his side ahead of welcoming Los Angeles FC to BC Place this weekend.

The hosts will be without top scorer Ryan Gauld along with Ali Ahmed, Sam Adekugbe, Andres Cubas, Fafa Picault and Pedro Vite as they aim to break into the top seven of the Western Conference and avoid playing in the first round of the playoffs.

However, Sartini believes that this presents an opportunity for his fringe players to step up against one of the better sides in the division, having seen his side fall to back-to-back defeats since clinching their place in the post-season.

“It is very important to win,” Sartini said. “Unfortunately, we did not do well in the last couple of games so now this game has become one where we can get back into the top seven and avoid the first round of the playoffs.

“It’s important to get back to where we have been for the last 30 plus games. We need to reset and good. I think it’s also a good think, I might sound crazy, that we have the international break.

“We have a lot of players that will need to step up and need to be there, so they come perhaps a little fresher and without the bad memories of the last couple of games.”

LAFC, meanwhile, come into the encounter on the back of four consecutive wins in all competitions, including their US Open Cup final triumph.

The Black and Gold know a victory will seal second place in the Western Conference standings after securing a 3-0 away win over Sporting Kansas City, though they too will be without three first-team players for the trip to Vancouver.

“All in all, we’re happy,” head coach Steve Cherundolo said after their last victory. “They were important points for us. A good performance.”

“For us to keep getting these results is huge,” said defender Aaron Long.

“To go as far as we did in Leagues Cup and to go all the way to the end in the Open Cup, and still be fighting for first place in the league is really tough to do.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

In the absence of top scorer Gauld, who is on international duty with Scotland, White will carry Vancouver’s goal threat for the visit of LAFC.

The American has played more games against this weekend’s opponents than any other team he has faced in the MLS (13), winning four of those (D3 L6), while scoring three times.

LAFC – Mateusz Bogusz

Bogusz has 20 goal involvements (14 goals, six assists) in 30 MLS appearances this term, netting a goal against Vancouver in LAFC’s 3-0 win earlier this season.

The Pole, however, has won just one of his three games against Vancouver (D1 L1), and he will be hoping to get his record into positive numbers this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

The hosts are currently on 58 points with two matches left to play this term. They are trying to reach the 60-point mark for the third time in the last six seasons (2019, 2022) while no other MLS team has done so more than once in that time.

Vancouver have lost only two of their last nine regular-season meetings with LAFC (W4 D3), though one of those defeats was a 3-0 loss against the Black and Gold earlier this campaign.

The Whitecaps come into the game on the back of consecutive defeats for the first time since June. They have not lost three straight matches in all competitions since the start of the 2023 season.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 29.6%

Draw – 24.8%

LAFC – 45.6%

Vancouver Whitecaps clinched their playoff place at the weekend, and Vanni Sartini does not want his players to play differently against Seattle Sounders.

The Whitecaps may be winless in their last three matches, but their 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers on Saturday was enough to secure their place in the postseason for the third time in the last four seasons.

They are currently seventh in the Western Conference, but Sartini is hopeful they can return to winning ways to push higher up the table.

"We have the luck to be already qualified, so even though it's not like a do or die, we can't be scared," Sartini said.

"Now it's all about the prize that is in front of us. And the prize will hopefully make us perform in a way that is with no restraint, with no fear, with a lot of confidence and going there to try to win.”

"It's all about trying to get into that [postseason] kind of mentality and habits of being a team that can play and win games. We want to try to become playoff winners."

Meanwhile, Seattle, who are unbeaten in four, sit three points and two places above their opponents ahead of Wednesday's meeting.

They ground out a 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo last time out, and now Brian Schmetzer is aiming to find consistency after securing their own playoff place.

"We're going to play our best team against Vancouver and then Colorado," he said.

"There's no more experimenting. We need to get some consistency and make sure the 11 players I believe are the best continue to grow together as a group."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored 15 goals in back-to-back seasons after only Camilo Sanvezzo (22 in 2013) hit that mark in the Whitecaps first 12 MLS campaigns.

White joins Denis Bouanga and Cucho Hernandez as the only three players with 15 goals in each of the last two MLS seasons.

Seattle Sounders – Paul Rothrock

Paul Rothrock's goal in Seattle's 1-0 win over Houston on Saturday was the 23rd by an American player for the Sounders this regular season.

Only Colorado Rapids (30) have had more goals scored by American players in 2024.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their six meetings with Seattle since September 2022 (W3 D2). Prior to that, Seattle had won 10 of the previous 14 meetings (D4) between the sides.

Vancouver have lost only two of their last 12 regular-season matches (W6 D4) dating back to late June. The Whitecaps conceded eight total goals in the two defeats (four in each match) while allowing nine total goals in the other 10 matches in that time.

Meanwhile, Seattle have won seven of their last 11 away matches in all competitions (D1 L3), including a 4-0 win at Columbus Crew in their last away match. The Sounders had won just seven of their previous 34 on the road prior to this run.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 41.2%

Draw – 26.7%

Seattle Sounders – 32.1%

Phil Neville has praised Portland Timbers' resilience and has urged them to keep fighting when they face Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS on Saturday.

The Timbers came from behind twice to salvage a 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake last weekend, meaning they have lost just one of their last five matches.

However, they have struggled on the road, failing to win any of their four such matches in the league.

Portland sit eighth in the Western Conference, but Neville has much higher ambitions than just making the playoffs.

"We don't give up in any game and that's a really special quality, and it's a quality that not many teams have," Neville said.

"They've contributed throughout the season and attitude is so important. The character of this team is unbreakable, but we've got to get the next bit [defending] right.

"We're not just pushing for the playoffs, we're in it to win it and if we keep that togetherness, we're going a long way."

Meanwhile, Vancouver won the Canadian Championship title for the third year in a row on Wednesday, beating Toronto FC 4-2 on penalties after a 0-0 draw.

In MLS, they have won just one of their last four matches, sitting two points above their opponents, and head coach Vanni Sartini is hoping to find a balance between celebrating their triumph and preparing for Saturday.

"I'm going to have a drink and knowing that Saturday is so important, unfortunately, we can't really get crazy because we are in crunch time," said Sartini.

"It's not like last year when it was in the middle of the season, and you could quote-on-quote throw away the next game.

"It's so important for Saturday that we have to celebrate, but with some restraint."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Ryan Gauld has recorded an assist in each of his last four regular season matches for the Whitecaps, the second time he has done so in his career (also July 2022).

No player in Vancouver's history has recorded an assist in five straight regular-season games.

Portland Timbers – Evander

Evander has contributed to at least one goal in 11 straight regular season matches, a club record for the Timbers.

There have been only two longer streaks in MLS history: Josef Martínez (15 straight) in 2019 and Sebastian Giovinco (12 straight) in 2018.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps and Timbers have each recorded a home win against the other already this season. Since the start of the 2018 season, Portland have won eight times against the Whitecaps, with Vancouver winning seven (one draw).

Indeed, the Whitecaps have won four of their last five home Cascadia Cup matches (L1), including a 3-2 win over Portland on March 30. Vancouver had won just two of their previous 10 matches against the Seattle Sounders and Timbers in Vancouver (D4 L4).

Meanwhile, Portland's 3-3 draw at Real Salt Lake on Saturday marked the 11th time this season the Timbers have failed to win a match in which they scored multiple goals. Only LA Galaxy in 2018 (12 times) have endured more such games in a single season in MLS history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 43.6%

Draw – 26.8%

Portland Timbers – 29.6%

Vancouver Whitecaps' latest arrival, Stuart Armstrong, is relishing the challenge of the MLS as he aims to aid his new side’s push for the playoffs, starting with FC Dallas this weekend.

Armstrong, who arrived at BC Place as a free agent following his release from Southampton last season, provides a wealth of international and domestic experience for Vanni Sartini’s team.

The Whitecaps returned to league action last week with a win over Austin FC, leaving them fifth in the Western Conference table, four points behind Colorado Rapids with two games in hand.

And Armstrong, who will reunite with former Dundee United team-mate Ryan Gauld at the club, provided insight into what fans can expect from him for the remainder of the campaign.

"Hopefully, I can bring position play from back to front and connect the midfield to the forward line. Hopefully I can chip in with some creativity, some goals and assists too," Amstrong said.

"Every player I speak to says to me that the changing room's the best they've experienced in their career. The first player that said that to me was Ryan (Gauld) and I didn't believe him.

"Once more and more, every player says it, you begin to believe it. And having met the boys, a few boys yesterday and everyone today and a few more when they come back, I can re-affirm that everyone's a very good guy and a very good changing room to be a part of."

FC Dallas, meanwhile, were on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller against the Rapids last time out, with Darren Yapi’s 93rd minute winner sealing the victory for the away side.

The Toros twice led the encounter but were unable to build on their dramatic win over DC United in their first MLS fixture since their disappointing run in the Leagues Cup.

Interim head coach Peter Luccin acknowledged his side must improve to have a chance of reaching the playoffs as they sit 11th in the standings, identifying his team’s home form as a particular area to strengthen.

“We knew from the beginning that we had to get points on the road,” Luccin said. “Now we are doing the opposite, now we are winning on the road and losing at home.

“It would be great to now do both at the same time, but in the end, I am not saying that it was crucial today that we lost three points, but it was important.

“But the content of the game, is a concern. We have to learn, because today was not good enough.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld assisted Vancouver’s only goal against Austin last time out, his 10th assist of the season to go along with his nine goals.

The Scot, who recorded 11 goals and 12 assists last year, could become the first Whitecaps player to notch 10 goals and 10 assists in multiple MLS seasons.

FC Dallas – Petar Musa

Musa came off the bench to score for Dallas on Saturday, his fifth straight regular season appearance with a goal.

Only Jeff Cunningham (six in 2009) and Carlos Ruiz (seven in 2006) have had longer scoring streaks in FC Dallas’ MLS history.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have lost only one of their last nine meetings with FC Dallas dating back to 2019 (W5 D3), including going unbeaten at home against Dallas in that time (W3 D1).

They have also won five of their last seven regular season matches (D1 L1), including a 1-0 victory over Austin. The 1-0 win marked Vancouver’s first clean sheet in league play since a scoreless draw against the same opposition in May.

However, Dallas’ 4-3 win against DC United marked a rare away victory. The last time they recorded back-to-back triumphs on the road in the MLS was in May 2018, when they secured wins against Toronto FC and LA Galaxy.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 50.2%

Draw – 25.2%

FC Dallas – 24.6%

Stuart Armstrong has completed a move to the MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps following his exit from Southampton at the end of last season. 

Armstrong, who made 214 appearances in all competitions for the Saints, has signed a two-year deal and will join fellow Scotland team-mate Ryan Gauld at the club, having previously played with him at Dundee United.  

The 32-year-old was part of Steve Clarke's Scotland side during their dismal display at Euro 2024, featuring once as a substitute in their 1-0 defeat to Hungary.

He played 42 times in the Championship for Russell Martin's side last year, scoring five goals and adding seven assists, but missed the play-off final with a hamstring injury.

During his four-year stint at St. Mary's, Armstrong made 149 appearances in the Premier League and will provide an experienced midfield option for head coach Vanni Sartini.

“We are very excited to welcome Stuart and his family to Vancouver,” said Whitecaps FC sporting director, Axel Schuster. 

“He is a player who has excelled for many years at the highest levels in the United Kingdom, as well as internationally with Scotland.

"He brings experience, tactical awareness, positional flexibility, and a very high work rate.

"In addition, his passing range and elite chance creation from the midfield position will add another dimension to our team’s overall attack."

The Whitecaps currently sit fifth in the Western Conference table, with Armstrong potentially in line to make his debut this weekend against FC Dallas. 

Josh Wolff believes Austin FC's new signings have given them a much-needed boost and hopes that will carry on against Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Austin added Mikkel Desler, Oleksandr Svatok and Osman Bukari, who scored in their 2-0 win over Nashville SC last time out, helping to snap a three-match winless streak.

It means they sit ninth in the Western Conference, though only have a one-point advantage over the two teams sitting just below them.

However, Wolff says he is excited to see how the team continues to grow in the second half of the season.

"The guys that we got in the summer have performed well and that helps create better overall performances for the team and creates competition in the group and I think it's helped us immensely," he said.

"We labored through 24 games, but I think you see a team now that's competing home and away and generating goals.

"We're coming into good form, but we need to maintain that."

Meanwhile, Vancouver sit three places and four points above their opponents, with their form on the road particularly eye-catching in MLS this season, going unbeaten in the last three.

They return to league action after an extended break due to their Canadian Championship semi-final, and head coach Vanni Sartini aims to get his team back up and running in the competition as soon as possible.

"We need to go there knowing that we need to make points because that's the only curse when you're doing well," he said.

"We want to stay in the high position. We've done well on the road this season, and we need to keep doing it by being smart."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Austin FC – Jon Gallagher

Jon Gallagher scored his 12th goal for Austin in their win over Nashville last time out.

Only Sebastian Driussi (43) and Diego Fagundez (15) have scored more in regular-season play for the Verde.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Brian White has scored a goal in each of his last three regular season away matches.

White had a four-match road scoring streak in 2023 and could become the first Whitecaps player to score in four straight MLS road games more than once.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have lost only one of their seven all-time meetings with Austin (winning four, drawing two), though Austin have managed draws in two of the last three meetings, including a scoreless match in Vancouver on May 4.

The Whitecaps are unbeaten in five straight road matches in all competitions (three wins, two draws) for the second time in 2024 (also in March-May). This is the first time since the club joined MLS in 2011 that they have had multiple five-match road unbeaten runs in a single year.

However, Austin have won three of their last four matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 win over Nashville (lost one). Austin had managed just two wins in their previous 11 matches beforehand (three draws, six losses).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 30.8%

Draw – 25.1%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 44.1%

Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini wants his team to put out a statement when they host Houston Dynamo in MLS on Saturday.

The Whitecaps are flying high this season after a five-match unbeaten streak in MLS has seen them move up to fourth in the Western Conference, just eight points off top spot with two games in hand.

While many did not expect to see Vancouver sitting so high in the table, Sartini is keen to prove why there should not be any doubts about his team's capabilities.

"If we do a great job, and we win, I think it's a huge statement to tell everyone we are a top-four team, and we are not there accidentally but because we deserve it," Sartini said.

"I think that should be one of the things to ignite us for a good performance because one of the criticisms of us is we're a good team, but we botch the important games.

"I don't agree, but it's a chance to show people it's not true."

Houston have lost just one of their last nine matches, bouncing back from two without a win to beat struggling San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 on Wednesday.

They sit eighth in the tightly packed table, but head coach Ben Osborn has challenged them to rise up the rankings by extending their recent impressive run.

"We've got to be selfish. Be greedy," Olsen said.

"Try to get more [points]. It's a quick turnaround, but we've fortunately got the depth, and we've got guys champing at the bit to get involved right now."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Fafa Picault

Fafa Picault, who scored Vancouver's winner against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, has scored four times in six career matches against the Dynamo, for whom he played in 2021-22.

Picault only has more career regular-season goals against Orlando City (five).

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

Amine Bassi recorded his team-leading eighth assist of the season, setting up Daniel Steres for the lone goal in Houston's win on Wednesday.

In the nine matches that Bassi has recorded a goal contribution this season, Houston's record is six wins, two draws and one loss, compared to three wins, five draws and six defeats when he does not.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

The Whitecaps have never lost a home match against the Dynamo (winning nine and drawing two, excluding neutral-site home games). The Whitecaps have scored in all 11 of their matches against the Dynamo in Vancouver.

Vancouver have also won three straight home matches after winning just two of their previous 11 at BC Place in all competitions (five draws, four defeats). The Whitecaps last won four in a row at home in September-October 2021.

As for Houston, they earned their fifth road win of the season on Wednesday with a 1-0 victory at San Jose Earthquakes. It is the first time Houston have won five road matches in a single regular season since 2013 (also five), while they have not won more since 2007 (seven).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Houston Dynamo – 27.4%