Two sides separated by just three points in the race for a guaranteed playoff spot square off in the MLS as Vancouver Whitecaps play host to Seattle Sounders at BC Place on Wednesday.
Having failed to win the previous two meetings between the sides this year, both of which came on home turf, the Sounders will head into the midweek clash looking to get one over Vanni Sartini's men and surge into second place in the Western Conference table.
Match preview
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Vancouver Whitecaps continue to drop points in the MLS run-in as they were held to a somewhat disappointing 1-1 draw by Portland Timbers when the two teams squared off at BC Place on Sunday.
Brian White gave the hosts a dream start to the game after opening the scoring in the third minute but Jonathan Rodriguez finished off a well-worked team goal in the 43rd minute before the Timbers held on for a share of the spoils.
Prior to that, Vancouver Whitecaps clinched the 2024 Canadian Championship title on September 26, when they secured a penalty-shootout victory over Toronto FC in front of their home supporters to defend the crown.
However, with Sunday's result against Portland Timbers, Sartini's men have now failed to win four of their last five MLS matches — losing once and claiming three draws — with a 2-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes on September 15 being the exception.
This drop-off in form has seen the Whitecaps' playoffs hopes come under threat as they head into the final three games seventh in the Western Conference table with 47 points from 30 games, just two points above eighth-placed Minnesota United outside the guaranteed qualifying places.
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Seattle Sounders, on the other hand, took another step towards securing post-season football as they held on to see out a narrow 1-0 victory over Houston Dynamo when the two teams met at Lumen Field on Sunday.
American forward Paul Rothrock netted his second goal in three games midway through the first half to put the Sounders in front before they turned in a defensive show of class to protect their lead and secure all three points.
Since a 1-0 defeat against Portland Timbers on September 1, Seattle Sounders have now gone four consecutive games without defeat, picking up three wins and one draw while scoring nine goals and keeping two clean sheets.
This upturn in form has seen Brian Schmetzer's side surge into fifth-place in the Western Conference standings, level on 50 points with fourth-placed Colorado Rapids and eight points off first-placed Los Angeles Galaxy heading into the final three games.
Seattle will be backing themselves to keep the ball rolling on Wednesday as they take on an opposing side against whom they are unbeaten in 17 of their last 20 encounters, claiming 11 wins and six draws since June 2011.
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Team News
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Scottish midfielder Ryan Gauld missed the game against Portland Timbers at the weekend after recently sustaining a knee injury and the 28-year-old is out of contention for Vancouver Whitecaps.
Fellow midfielder Ali Ahmed picked up a hip injury in the Canadian Championship final victory over Toronto FC on September 26 and the 23-year-old is also a doubt for the hosts.
With his opener against the Timbers, White now has 15 MLS goals under his belt this season and we expect the 28-year-old striker to spearhead the hosts' attack once again.
Seattle Sounders, meanwhile, remain without the services of veteran forward Raul Ruidiaz, who has been out of action since picking up a knee problem against Portland Timbers on September 1.
He is joined on the club's injury table by the Brazilian duo of striker Leo Chu and 33-year-old Joao Paulo, who are currently recuperating from groin and calf injuries respectively.
Off the back of keeping a third clean sheet in four games, we expect to see an unchanged back four of Alex Roldan, Yeimar Gomez, Jackson Ragen and Cameroon international Nouhou Tolo shielding skipper Stefan Frei between the sticks.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Utvik, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Raposo; Berhalter, Cubas; Schopf, Johnson, Picault; White
Seattle Sounders possible starting lineup:
Frei; Roldan, Gomez, Ragen, Tolo; Roldan, Vargas; De la Vega, Rusnak, Rothrock; Morris
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Seattle Sounders
With their push for a guaranteed playoff spot potentially hinging on Wednesday's result, we anticipate a cagey affair at BC Place with both sides taking a cautious approach to the game.
Seattle head into the tie as the more in-form side but we predict the Whitecaps will do just enough to force a share of the spoils in front of their home supporters.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
