Minnesota United can leapfrog the Vancouver Whitecaps for seventh in the Western Conference table when the two sides clash in MLS action on Saturday at BC Place Stadium.
Both sides have officially booked a playoff berth, despite the Caps losing 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday, while the Loons played to a 0-0 draw with Real Salt Lake.
Match preview
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It has been a rough homestand for the Caps thus far, as they prepare to play the third of four straight domestic encounters at BC Place Stadium on Saturday.
So far, they have just a single point on this homestand, while suffering their worst home defeat of the season against their biggest rivals on Wednesday.
Fortunately for Vanni Sartini, his side have already clinched a post-season berth, but they are winless in their last four league games.
For the first time this season, the Whitecaps are in danger of losing consecutive home matches in this competition on Saturday.
In 2024, they have dropped 10 points from a winning position in four league contests, points that could have them up to second in the Western Conference.
Only one point currently separates them from Minnesota, and the Caps can guarantee they will bypass the wildcard round with a victory this weekend.
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Minnesota United will return to the post-season in 2024, after their four-year playoff run ended with an 11th-place finish in 2023.
Eric Ramsay's men have collected at least a point in three consecutive league games, failing to concede a single goal over that stretch.
With four points from their final two regular-season affairs, they would reach the 50-point plateau in a 34-game season for the first time since 2019 (53).
The Loons are on a five-match MLS unbeaten run away from home, setting a new single-season club record with seven victories as the visitors this year.
That total could be higher as Minnesota have failed to win five away matches in MLS this season when leading at the half, dropping 10 points as a result.
Not since the 2022 domestic campaign have they claimed maximum points against Vancouver at BC Place (3-1), while they have just one point from their previous three meetings with the Whitecaps.
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Team News
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Caps captain Ryan Gauld was again omitted from the squad Wednesday due to a knee knock, while Ali Ahmed sat out with a lingering quad issue.
Two minutes from the end of their match with Seattle, Fafa Picault was given a second booking, and the Haitian will be suspended for this upcoming contest.
Three new faces joined the Whitecaps starting 11 on Wednesday as Mathias Laborda, Pedro Vite, and Sam Adekugbe replaced Bjorn Inge Utvik, Ryan Raposo, and Levonte Johnson.
In their previous encounter, Minnesota played without Teemu Pukki, who has tightness in his thighs, DJ Taylor was sidelined because of a hamstring strain and Zarek Valentin sat out with a knee injury.
A clavicle injury will keep Kage Romanshyn off the field for the remainder of the season, while Michael Boxall will have to miss this match due to yellow card accumulation.
On Wednesday versus RSL, Loons keeper Dayne St. Clair made four stops to collect his third successive MLS clean sheet this year.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Utvik, Veselinovic, Blackmon; Berhalter, Vite, Cubas, Armstrong, Adekugbe; White, Johnson
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Hlongwane, Harvey, Tapias, Diaz, Rosales; Lod, Dotson, Trapp, Fragapane; Yeboah
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 Minnesota United
The Caps do not look sharp at the moment and need a spark from somewhere, but with their top chance creator (Gauld) potentially out again, we anticipate it will be another long 90 minutes for them versus a Loons outfit starting to build momentum.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
