VANCOUVER — Another week, another critical game for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps (13-9-7) have just five games left on their regular-season calendar and, on Saturday, will face the Portland Timbers (12-10-8), a regional rival who sit just two points behind them.
“We always say that every point counts, but maybe (Saturday) they count more," said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. “It would give us the possibility to shift the focus on what’s ahead of us instead of what’s behind us.”
The Whitecaps head into the matchup in Major League Soccer's congested Western Conference standings, where second place and eighth place are separated by just seven points.
A victory on Saturday, combined with some favourable out-of-town results, would secure Vancouver a place in the playoffs.
“This is the time of the season you need to be picking up results," said captain Ryan Gauld.
"Every point matters. And it’s getting to the stage where everyone’s kind of facing off against each other. And there’s a lot of points won and lost. We just need to do what we can and pick up points."
Rest has been tough to find for the 'Caps as of late, with the club in the midst of playing seven games over a four week stretch.
The team is coming off a high, though, having captured its third-straight Canadian Championship title with a shootout win over Toronto FC on Wednesday.
“I think definitely the energy — the emotion and stuff that comes from the penalties — we can definitely feed off that," Gauld said. "We can definitely use the high of Wednesday night to push us on.”
Vancouver has been in this situation before, Sartini said, facing a tough league matchup just days after hoisting the Voyagers Cup.
In 2022, the celebrations were curtailed by a long trip to Nashville and last year, the 'Caps had to battle then-MLS leaders FC Cincinnati days after the Canadian Championship win.
“Both times we tied and did a good game just because of the good vibes that we had in the days before," Sartini said. "I hope it’s going to be the same, that the good vibes going to help us push and do a good performance.”
Portland heads north undefeated in four of its last five MLS outings (2-2-1) and boasting the second-most goals (62) in the league this season.
The Whitecaps know what they're up against, having dropped a 2-0 decision to the Timbers back on June 22.
Vancouver's defence has been solid recently, however, with the club conceding just five goals in its last seven games across all competitions. The 'Caps hold a 4-1-2 record across that stretch.
Defending has been a big focus for the team this season, said wingback Ryan Raposo.
"And I think that’s something the team as a whole takes pride in, conceding a few goals as possible and trying to score some," he said. "As a collective, as a team, we’re working hard for each other. If someone gets beat, you always know someone’s going to cover the slack.
"As a team, we’re really flowing defensively and helping each other out.”
PORTLAND TIMBERS (12-10-8) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (13-9-7)
BC Place, Saturday
INS AND OUTS: Portland's leading scorer, Evander, will sit out the match on a suspension. The Brazilian star has 15 goals and 18 assists for the Timbers this season. The Whitecaps could be without midfielders Gauld (knee) and Ali Ahmed (quad), who are both listed as questionable.
HISTORY BOOKS: The Timbers hold a 17-12-7 edge in regular-season MLS meetings between the two sides, but the 'Caps are up 45-42-19 in all-time games across dating back to 1975. The season series is level at 1-1-0.
CUP CLASH: Vancouver heads into the game with a 2-1-1 record against its regional rivals and leading the race for the Cascadia Cup. The annual head-to-head contest between the 'Caps, Timbers and Seattle Sounders determines the top club in the Pacific Northwest — a title the Whitecaps won last year.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 27, 2024.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
