The Vancouver Whitecaps begin a two-match MLS homestand on Wednesday when they welcome Minnesota United to BC Place Stadium.
On Saturday, the Caps came from behind to defeat Real Salt Lake 3-2, putting them four points clear of San Diego for first in the Western Conference and five ahead of the Loons, who are third following a 1-1 draw with Austin FC.
Match preview
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Despite a disastrous opening five minutes in Utah, the Whitecaps persevered on Saturday, while padding their lead atop the Western Conference table in the process.
Jesper Sorensen has yet to lose an away match in this competition, and his side are the only team in the league this year without a defeat as the visitors.
Saturday was the first time in MLS all season that Vancouver conceded the opening goal, and it was also the first time they came back from 1-0 down on the road to win a league fixture since September 2023 (2-1 win at Toronto).
If they can claim maximum points on Wednesday, this team will have won six regular season affairs at BC Place this year, equalling their total at home from 2024.
Vancouver have points in their last six regular-season home games when netting multiple times, dropping points in only one of those instances.
A victory on Wednesday would mark the first time in club history that the Caps have beaten the Loons in successive games in a single season, with this side claiming a 3-1 win in Minnesota last month.
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On Saturday, Minnesota United failed to emerge victorious from a league game for a third time this year despite netting the opening goal.
Eric Ramsay's side have dropped six points this season when drawing first blood, which could have them on top of the Western Conference standings.
They have dropped points in two of their previous three matches in this competition, failing to find the back of the net on two of those occasions.
Minnesota have points in all seven of their league games this year when netting multiple times, claiming maximum points in five of those instances.
After 15 matchdays, they are tied with Orlando City for the most clean sheets domestically (seven), with three of them coming away from home.
Two of their last three visits to BC Place ended with a triumph for the Loons, who claimed a 1-0 win in this exact fixture a season ago.
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Team News
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Vancouver captain Ryan Gauld missed another match for them on Saturday because of a knee injury, and he will be questionable for this one, while Andres Cubas is eligible to return following his yellow card suspension over the weekend.
Brian White netted a brace in their victory over RSL, his ninth and 10th goals in 11 MLS fixtures this season, with the winner coming in the 90th minute courtesy of Pedro Vite.
On the opposite side, Samuel Shashoua and Kipp Keller missed the last match for Minnesota as they were both suffering from leg injuries.
Michael Boxall had their only goal against Austin last weekend, the first for the defender from New Zealand in the 2025 campaign.
Vancouver Whitecaps possible starting lineup:
Takaoka; Laborda, Blackmon, Veselinovic, Johnson; Sabbi, Priso, Berhalter; Sabbi, White, Rios
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Diaz, Boxall, Romero; Gressel, Dotson, Trapp, Rosales; Lod, Yeboah; Oluwaseyi
We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 Minnesota United
Sorensen has done a great job at keeping the Caps focused on what is right in front of them, and even with a CONCACAF Champions Cup final on the horizon, we expect their depth and focus will propel them to another victory in this competition on Wednesday.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
