VANCOUVER, BC – Before the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs began, Vancouver Whitecaps FC head coach Vanni Sartini challenged Ryan Gauld to find inspiration from an unexpected source.
“I told him we needed a performance like Jimmy Butler for the Miami Heat,” Sartini told MLSsoccer.com. “We needed Jimmy Butler, playoffs edition. I remembered how the Miami Heat were in the Play-In game in 2023 and they reached the NBA Finals.”
Playoff Jimmy, as the NBA All-Star became affectionately known, carried the Heat past the heavily-favored Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks. Ultimately, they lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
How did Gauld take the analogy?
Read Jonathan Sigal's feature story on MLSsoccer.com to find out.
