VANCOUVER, BC – We meet again.
For the 11th time in the last two seasons, Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to face off against long-time adversaries LAFC this Sunday, November 3 in the second match of their MLS Cup Playoffs Round One Best-Of-3 Series. Kickoff from BC Place is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. PT. The 'Caps will be looking to even up the series after falling to a narrow 2-1 defeat in the first match at BMO Stadium. Limited tickets are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
Similar to past meetings between the two sides, there will be several key matchups on the pitch that could make the difference for either side.
Dive in below as we break down the best matchups to watch for Sunday's match.
The New Jersey Mario Gomez who leads the 'Caps in goals during the MLS era against the Phoenix that holds the title of France's all-time leading goalscorer.
There's no question Olivier Giroud will go down as one of the best strikers in the recent era of the game. But on the flip side, you always have a shot in an MLS match when you have Brian White on your side.
This season, White has matched his career-high for MLS goals in a season (including playoffs) with 16, becoming the first player in the club's MLS era to record 15+ goals in back-to-back season.
White has also recorded 11 goals since Matchday 23 in MLS play, which is the most in the league during that span.
In terms of the more advanced metrics during the regular season, White sits seventh amongst all players who qualified for the playoffs in expected goals with 13.8, and sixth amongst players with 15 goals or more in shot conversion percentage with 21.4.
Despite not spending much time with LAFC, Giroud still poses a danger and has been instrumental in helping his team's build-play become more intricate in the final third, so the Blue and White will have to be wary. After all, Giroud did help France win the 2018 FIFA Men's World Cup without scoring a single goal. He also helped Les Bleus reach a second consecutive final in 2022.
White has had previous success against the Black and Gold, scoring twice against the side last season, and he'll be looking to do the same on Sunday in the hopes of helping the 'Caps force a third match in the series.
There's probably no closer depiction when referencing these two as 'The Big Dawgs' of their teams. Both have put up stellar campaigns in the last two seasons and are up there with the league's most entertaining attacking forces.
Ryan Gauld has been on fire for the 'Caps recently, recording six goal contributions in the last three matches (five goals, one assist) to take his season tally up to 32 across all competitions (career-best 16 goals with the 'Caps, 16 assists). With his hat-trick and assist against Portland Timbers in the Western Conference Wild Card Match, the Scottish international became just the third player in MLS playoff history to record a hat-trick and an assist in a single match. He now has 25 goal contributions (12 goals, 13 assists) in his last 22 appearances across all competitions.
Gauld also became the first player in the 'Caps MLS era to record back-to-back seasons with double-digit goals and assists.
That's not to say Denis Bouanga hasn't been on fire either. The Gabon international has 45 goal contributions across all competitions this season (28 goals, 15 assists), becoming the fourth player in MLS history to record 20+ goals in back-to-back seasons.
However, Gauld sits ahead of Bouanga in expected assists (9.88), chances created (84), tackles won (40), duels won percentage (54.3), and recoveries (130), showcasing that Gauld can also be a difference maker on the defensive side of the game to win the ball back and start counterattacks from midfield.
Both players are scorching hot at the moment, so expect both of to be at the centre of all things offensively for their teams as they could prove instrumental to getting a win on Sunday.
Along with Giroud, Hugo Lloris was a key piece of France's World Cup-winning squad in 2018 and the team that made the final in 2022.
The goalkeeper has enjoyed a fruitful first season in MLS, finishing in a tie for the most clean sheets in the regular season with 12 and the 10th best save percentage amongst playoff teams in the league with 70.1%.
However, 'Caps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has something to say about that, posting the ninth-best goals prevented total in the league this season at 3.1. Meanwhile, Lloris sits 20th with -1.3.
The pair have had big moments for their sides this season, but they'll need to produce more than ever on Sunday if they are to lead their team into the next round of the postseason.
Two of the newest faces on each roster, both Stuart Armstrong and Lewis O'Brien have shown their quality since joining their new sides.
Both have past experience playing in the English Premier League on their resume, with Armstrong suiting up for Southampton and O'Brien spending time with Nottingham Forest (his current parent club as he's on loan to LAFC).
So far, despite playing less minutes than his counterpart, Armstrong has actually tallied a higher expected assists total than O'Brien, posting 1.25 xA compared to O'Brien's 0.82. Armstrong is also averaging higher per 90 numbers on chances created (3.20), tackles won (66.7), successful dribbles (1.42), and successful passes (44.8) than O'Brien.
The two will once again meet in midfield for another clash on Sunday and will be key pieces to helping their team come away with a victory.
Be sure to catch the 'Caps on Sunday, November 3 at BC Place in the second match of the Round One Best-Of-3 Series as they look to force a third match in LA. Kickoff is set for 5:45 p.m. PT, with limited tickets still available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
