Hello, old friend.
What is an MLS Playoff without a Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC matchup?
This will be the third meeting in a row in the post-season for these two clubs. LAFC has advanced in both previous match-ups, a 6-2 (on agg.) score in 2023 and a controversy-riddled best-of-three series in 2024.
But a season can change many things. The Whitecaps are coming off their best ever MLS regular season in terms of points, goals, wins and many other metrics. And they did it with a laundry list of injuries to key players, rampant sickness after the Champions Cup final and a crazy schedule that saw them play every three to four days for much of the first half of the season.
LAFC has not been immune to adversity either. A difficult patch in the summer which saw them get only one win between July 19 and Aug. 15, they finished strong and launched themselves up the Western Conference standings when it mattered the most.
In fact, both clubs finished their regular seasons strong. The Whitecaps lost only one of their last 11 matches in MLS. LAFC lost one of their last eight.
But there may be a reason for these strong races to the finish line. A certain German and South Korean have added to what was already meant to be a great MLS Playoff series and have made it a match that cannot be missed.
Whitecaps turning a corner on LAFC history?
The Whitecaps (7W-6D-12L versus LAFC) have found ways to grab points off of their California rival this season.
In their two meetings this year, the Whitecaps drew 2-2 at BC Place on May 11 and won 1-0 at BMO Stadium on June 29.
The draw was of particular interest as Vancouver was down by two goals in the opening 20 minutes. Brian White scored a brace, goals in both halves, to complete the comeback. It was a performance that characterized tenacity and “never say die” attitude this team has embraced all season.
The second match was decided by an Emmanuel Sabbi close effort in the 20th minute.
Uncharacteristically, Denis Bouanga, known to be a ‘Caps killer for LAFC, was held to just one goal, and it was not from open play. He scored a penalty in the 19th minute in the May 11 match.
However, the Whitecaps cannot count him out.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen said earlier in the season that Bouanga is difficult to control once he has the ball. Therefore, the goal has to be to stop him from getting it in the first place through clogging up the midfield or executing the press against defenders, something the Whitecaps have excelled at (particularly through White when he is playing) all season.
In 13 matches across all competitions where Bouanga has played against the Whitecaps, he has nine goals and seven assists. That is a goal contribution every 70.5 minutes.
But both of these matches were missing one key ingredient on either side: Thomas Müller for the Whitecaps and Son Heung-Min for LAFC.
Müller and Son: How they stack up
Both Müller and Son have been electric since swapping Europe for MLS.
Müller has eight goals and three assists in 717 minutes played for the Whitecaps across all competitions. Vancouver has only lost one match with him in the lineup, Decision Day against FC Dallas, which had the Whitecaps down to 10 men early on.
The self-described Raumdeuter has been a leader in the locker room since walking off the plane and a fixture in the community as well, regularly seen in Vancouver, taking in the city. He has endeared himself to his teammates, coaches and fans alike.
But the story is similar for Son. The MLS transfer record player has scored 10 goals and his three assists in 983 minutes.
When you look past their individual contributions and view the overall improved performances of their respective teams, Müller and Son are even more impressive.
The Whitecaps have improved their overall points per game (ppg) since Müller arrived by 0.36. For LAFC, Son’s influence is arguably more impactful with a 0.43 ppg increase.
Next game wins
The MLS Conference semi-final changes format from the previous round. No longer a best-of-three series, it is one game, winner take all.
And its at BC Place.
In front of Vancouver fans.
Hello, old friend. Let’s do this again.
