Los Angeles Football Club closes the MLS 2023 season in Vancouver as Vancouver Whitecaps welcomes LAFC on Saturday, October 21. LAFC is set to qualify for Round One of the 2023 MLS Playoff since they are in second place in the Western Conference.
Since LAFC is in second place, the Black and Gold will face the team in 7th place. At the moment, the Portland Timbers are in seventh place. However, things can turn around in the last MLS league games of the regular season. If LAFC wins, they could face Portland Timbers, FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, Sporting Kansas City, or Minnesota United at home. However, a draw or loss in Vancouver could erase LAFC’s home-field edge.
In the last two games, LAFC scored 9 nine goals, giving them confidence ahead of the MLS playoffs. However, a win is needed on Saturday against Vancouver to give them more confidence.
As for the Blue-and-White, they don’t need to worry about putting in a strong performance as they are qualified. If the Village beat LAFC at home, the Whitecap’s highest position is third place. But they require a number of other results to go their way.
If Houston loses/draws at Portland, a Seattle loss at St. Louis, and one Real Salt Lake loss or two draws in their two remaining matches at Los Angeles Galaxy and at Colorado. The Caps will finish third for the second time in the last decade. Their highest position was 2nd place back in 2015.
Meanwhile, LAFC will travel to Vancouver without Maxime Crepeau, who was on the bench against Japan. In two games, Stipe Biuk played 90 minutes, while Denil Maldonado scored against Cuba. Cristian Olivera played 45 minutes against Colombia.
Although LAFC is missing four players, key players Denis Bouanga, Ryan Michael Hollingshead, Carlos Vela, and Giorgio Chiellini will play this Saturday.
LAFC overall has a decent record against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Black and Gold won seven, drew three, and lost five. LAFC demolished the Caps in the CONCACAF Champions League Quarter-finals 6-0 on aggregate this season. However, Vancouver beat LAFC at BMO Stadium with a score of 3-2.
