The early pacesetters in the 2025 MLS season will look to continue their fine start to proceedings this term when Vancouver Whitecaps take on Austin FC on Sunday.
Three points behind their hosts, the away side have also been impressive in the early knockings of the campaign and now have an opportunity to deliver a statement of intent against the current leaders.
Match preview
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Needing to navigate what has been a hectic schedule so far, the Vancouver Whitecaps are excelling on multiple fronts, having booked their place in the last four of the CONCACAF Champions Cup by knocking out UNAM Pumas on away goals.
Prior to that, Jesper Sorensen's men made light work of the challenge of Colorado Rapids en route to a 2-0 victory as first-half goals from Brian White and Emmanuel Sabbi wrapped up a dominant win.
Now up to 16 points from a possible 21 in league action, the Caps sit atop the Western Conference standings ahead of Sunday's encounter against an opposing outfit without a victory in the most recent five editions of this fixture.
The Vancouver Whitecaps will definitely have one eye on their Champions Cup semi-final in a fortnight, but it is imperative they take care of domestic business with a clash against St Louis City to follow this weekend's affair.
Having been beaten in just one of their last eight competitive home matches, Sunday's hosts have proven to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans and will be confident of getting the job done once again.
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Following a 1-0 win over Sporting Kansas City to get the season underway, things quickly took a downward spiral for Austin FC, who were beaten in their next two matches against Portland Timbers and Colorado Rapids.
Nonetheless, Nico Estevez's men remained calm in the face of adversity and bounced back in style with wins over Los Angeles FC, San Diego and St Louis prior to Sunday's goalless stalemate against the Portland Timbers.
Managing just one shot on target over the course of the 90 minutes, Los Verdes were second-best for the vast majority of the contest and can count themselves lucky to have come away with a point from the Q2 Stadium.
Unlike their next opponents, Austin FC have no added burden of continental football to deal with after finishing 10th last season, but they are targeting a return to the higher echelons of the table and boast just one point fewer than they did at this stage of the 2022 campaign, which ended in a second-place Western Conference finish.
Letting in a league-low three goals across their seven matches so far, Sunday's visitors have developed a habit of keeping teams at bay, although their offensive output has also deteriorated in the process, with just five goals scored during that span.
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Team News
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Vancouver Whitecaps duo Mathias Laborda and Jayden Nelson are both sidelined with hamstring problems, ruling them out of contention for Sunday's clash.
Off the back of a personal-best 31 direct goal contributions last season, Ryan Gauld has endured an injury-plagued start to life this season and also misses out with a knee problem alongside Sam Adekugbe (thigh).
Emmanuel Sabbi continues to be eased gradually back into the thick of things since returning from injury, and the 19-year-old could be handed a start by the home side here.
Thirty-year-old Mikkel Desler and 31-year-old Diego Rubio are Austin FC's only injury concerns for this one as they continue to battle with hamstring problems.
Brad Stuver has been in inspired form of late between the sticks for the away side, and he will be confident of adding to his tally of four clean sheets so far.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Johnson, Blackmon, Veselinovic, Ocampo; Berhalter, Cubas, Vite; Sabbi, White, Ahmed
Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Gallagher, Svatok, Hines-Ike, Biro; Bukari, Pereira, Sabovic, Wolff; Uzuni, Vazquez
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 Austin FC
Austin FC have been tough to breach this season, but given Vancouver's attacking exploits, we are backing them to register more than once against their visitors en route to a comfortable win.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
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