The aim is to make up for the 2-1 defeat in the second leg. Vancouver Whitecaps are set to host Los Angeles FC on Monday morning at BC Place in the second game of the best-of-three series in the first round of the MLS Cup playoffs.

The hosts qualified for this round with a 5-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the wildcard round, while the visitors qualified directly for this round after finishing first in the Western Conference.

Game preview

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The Vancouver Whitecaps suffered a terrible end to the 2024 season, failing to win any of their last seven MLS games. This run of results saw them drop to eighth place in the Western Conference, meaning they had to fight in the wildcard round for a spot in the MLS Cup.

Luckily for Vanni Sartiniwho has held the post since August 2021, the Caps put on a show for the first time in eight games by defeating the Portland Timbers 5-0 in the wild card single-game round.

That win secured them a spot in the opening round of the MLS Cup playoffs, where they drew with Los Angeles for the second time in as many seasons.

Despite a relatively even first leg in LA, the Caps were down 2-0 just before the hour mark, although a goal was scored in the 94th minute Ryan Gauld has given Sartini's men a glimmer of hope ahead of the second leg.

With the increased confidence that comes with knowing they can hurt the Western Conference leaders, Vancouver will now have to put everything on the line at BC Place if they want to have any chance of reaching the MLS Cup playoffs.

With a stalemate not possible as the game goes straight to penalties, Vancouver must win to send the tie into a third game, where the Caps would be full of confidence knowing they can beat their top rivals to a tie. Break, while Los Angeles would feel the pressure that comes with huge expectations on their shoulders.

However, Sartini's men must overcome this seemingly impossible task as the Caps have not advanced through this stage of the competition since beating the San Jose Earthquakes 5-0 in 2017 and subsequently losing 2-0 to the Seattle Sounders in 2017 Quarterfinals.

As for the Black and Gold, they looked anything but confident at times in the first leg, but only scored a few goals Cristian Olivera And Denis Bouanga ultimately gave them the advantage heading into Monday's game.

Steve CherundoloThe USA men must avoid defeat if they want to continue marching towards a third straight MLS Cup final, having triumphed in 2022 before losing 2-1 to Columbus Crew last year.

Los Angeles has dominated this game in recent meetings, winning 11 of its 21 competitive games and only suffering six defeats and four draws during this time.

With goal scorers like Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz On the other hand, it is clear why they go into the match as favorites, but they have to be careful not to squander their narrow lead and risk a dramatic third game.

Form of the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Los Angeles FC form in Major League Soccer:

Team news

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Jeevan Badwal And Max Anker Both are ruled out of Monday's meeting due to injury issues and are unlikely to return until later this month.

Gauld had his best season since joining the Caps this year. He scored 16 goals and assisted 12 goals in all competitions, including four in the last two MLS Cup games. The striker is likely to play a key role in this.

As for the visitors, Lorenzo Dellavalle has been out of action since February and will not return in time for this game. His return date is scheduled for later this month.

Bouanga finished MLS as the league's second-leading scorer with 21 goals, tied with Luis Suarez, and the striker could prove crucial if Los Angeles wants to advance from this stretch.

Possible Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup:
Takaoka; Laborda, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Adekugbe; Vite, Cubas, Armstrong; Picault, White, Gauld

Possible Los Angeles FC starting lineup:
Lloris; Palencia, Chanot, Long; Olivera, Tillman, O'Brien, Hollingshead; Bogusz, Giroud, Bouanga

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Los Angeles FC

While the hosts demonstrated their ability to pose a threat to the visitors in the first leg, the Black and Gold are undoubtedly the superior side and we expect them to secure a win here and progress to the next round.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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