Los Angeles FC begin defence of their MLS Cup when they host the Vancouver Whitecaps in the opening game of a best-of-three series on Saturday at BMO Stadium.
These two teams played to a 1-1 draw on Decision Day as the Black and Gold wound up third in the Western Conference table, four points above the Caps, who were sixth.
Match preview
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The quest to repeat is on for Steve Cherundolo and his LAFC side that ended the regular season on a three-match unbeaten run.
During the 2023 domestic campaign, Los Angeles won 10 encounters at BMO Stadium, the second-most in the Western Conference, while they have emerged victorious in four of their previous five playoff fixtures at home.
Not since the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2011 and 2012 have we seen a team win the MLS Cup on consecutive occasions, while the Black and Gold have not lost their opening playoff fixture since 2020 (3-1 at the Seattle Sounders).
Two of their three playoff losses have occurred when LA conceded the opening goal, while they have gone on to win every post-season encounter in which they were leading at the half.
They finished the regular season with the third-most goals scored in the Western Conference (54) and have netted three or more times in three of their previous four home playoff games.
In eight home games versus Vancouver in all competitions, the Black and Gold have scored 25 goals and have never been held off the scoresheet in any of those encounters.
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After a one-year absence, the Caps are back in the playoffs, finishing the regular season with 12 victories, equalling their total from 2021.
On Saturday, they will make their sixth MLS post-season appearance, with the Whitecaps winning only one playoff fixture over that span (5-0 versus the San Jose Earthquakes in 2017).
While they lost seven times away from home during the 2023 regular season, Vanni Sartini's men should be feeling better after their road form at the moment, claiming points in six of their final eight fixtures this season as the visiting team.
During the 2023 regular season, the Caps were among the deadliest teams in transition, often making their scoring chances count, notching the second-most goals in the Western Conference (55) while setting a single-season MLS franchise record in the process.
Vancouver failed to win three of their last four matches in MLS play when drawing first blood, while they suffered four domestic defeats in 2023 when leading after 45 minutes.
Earlier this season, they claimed their first away victory ever versus Los Angeles FC, beating them 3-2 in June, though they have conceded multiple strikes in seven of their eight visits to BMO Stadium in all competitions.
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Team News
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Cherundolo made two changes to his LAFC starting 11 in their regular-season finale, bringing in Jesus Murillo and Carlos Vela to replace Aaron Long and Nathan Ordaz.
Former Caps keeper Maxime Crepeau started for the seventh time since returning from his gruesome leg injury, making his 100th career regular-season appearance last Saturday, while Kellyn Acosta made his first appearance since October 1, coming on as a second-half substitute in place of Mateusz Bogusz.
Denis Bouanga captured the MLS Golden Boot this season, finishing with 20 goals, scoring six in his last three games, including their only strike against the Caps last weekend, while he and Vela netted in their home defeat against them earlier this season.
Vancouver could be without Andres Cubas for this opening encounter as the Paraguayan is dealing with a right shoulder injury, while Thomas Hasal remains sidelined due to patellar tendinopathy.
Ali Ahmed notched his second of the domestic campaign last weekend, while Yohei Takaoka saw his two-match shutout streak end when Bouanga beat him with a 34th-minute effort.
Ryan Gauld was involved in all three Vancouver goals in their previous visit to BMO Stadium, scoring the winner in the 63rd minute, with Ranko Veselinovic and Brian White also finding the mark.
Los Angeles FC possible starting lineup:
Crepeau; Hollingshead, Chiellini, Maldonado, Palacios; Acosta, Sanchez, Bogusz; Biuk, Vela, Bouanga
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Adekugbe, Veselinovic, Blackmon; Berhalter; Laryea, Schopf, Raposo, Vite; White, Gauld
We say: Los Angeles FC 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps (Vancouver win on penalties)
From the outset of the 2023 MLS campaign, LAFC have had a target on their back, and although they finished the season strong, they have played a lot more games than most MLS sides this year, making the CONCACAF Champions League final, the Leagues Cup quarter-finals and also competing in the Campeones Cup, all of that to say they may be a little fatigued.
The Whitecaps are not the same team that the LA saw at the CONCACAF Champions League this year, and their quick ball movements and pace could be difficult for the home side to handle, while the pressure on them will not be nearly as heavy as what the expectations are for Los Angeles.
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