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%

Ben Olsen had to hold a few "tough conversations" to get the Houston Dynamo out of their slump, with Saturday's Texas derby at Austin FC offering them the chance for back-to-back wins.

The Dynamo approached Saturday's trip to Sporting Kansas City both winless and goalless in three MLS matches (one draw, two defeats), while they were also dumped out of the U.S. Open Cup by Detroit City FC.

However, goals from Hector Herrera and Ibrahim Aliyu handed them a 2-1 road win and lifted them into the top seven of the Western Conference – above Austin by a single point. 

Speaking ahead of Wednesday's grudge match against a team that won the reverse fixture less than a month ago, Olsen credited his players for coming through a tough patch. 

"I think some people were questioning us, and we've had a few tough conversations, particularly with the U.S. Open cup knockout. This was just a really good response," he said.

"We have to figure out when we are at our best, to think, 'who are we, at our best?'

"It was our defensive effort that we hung our hat on last year, so it's a bit of a renewed feeling of that being there."

Austin, by contrast, were on a run of four wins in six games before they were beaten 2-1 by another Texas rival in FC Dallas on Saturday.

Despite that reverse, centre-back Julio Cascante has praised the defensive work done by coach Josh Wolff, with Austin looking far more competitive than was the case in their dismal 2023 season.

"Despite everything, we've worked very hard on the defensive side," Cascante said.

"Emphasis has been placed on the defensive side, but defending is done as an entire team. It starts with the number nine. I think that makes the difference."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Austin FC – Sebastian Driussi

Driussi scored a consolation from the penalty spot at Dallas on Saturday, his third goal of the season in eight MLS starts. 

Only Diego Rubio, who has started three additional games, has matched that tally for Austin this year. The Argentine will be looking to carry his team's attacking hopes again here.

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi 

Bassi recorded his third assist of the season by teeing up Hector Herrera's 31st-minute strike against Sporting on Saturday. 

All three of Bassi's assists have come on goals from outside the box this season – Houston's only three strikes from outside the penalty area.

MATCH PREDICTION – AUSTIN FC WIN

Houston have won three of their first five road matches this year, having only recorded more than three regular-season away wins in one of the last 10 campaigns, winning four times on their travels in 2022.

However, Austin have won all four of their previous home matches against Houston, netting multiple goals in each contest. The Dynamo are one of two teams – alongside Kansas City – that Austin have hosted more than once while posting a 100 per cent record.

Austin have also won three straight at home after only winning once in their previous 10 outings at Q2 Stadium. Back on home soil after Saturday's derby loss, they will expect a different result. 

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Austin FC – 44.9%
Houston Dynamo – 26.9%
Draw – 28.2%