LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Saturday, May 11 at 7:30pm PT
Location: BMO Stadium - Los Angeles, CA 🏟
TV: Apple TV – MLS Season Pass 🖥
Radio: 710 AM ESPN 📻, ESPN LA App 📱, KFWB 980 AM La Mera Mera 📻, Sirius XM FC 📡
Coming off a 3-1 victory over the Las Vegas Lights in U.S. Open Cup play on Wednesday night, LAFC returns to its MLS regular season schedule, hosting Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday at BMO Stadium.
Kei Kamara’s first goal in an LAFC shirt - plus the fifth and sixth goals of Cristian Olivera’s LAFC career - secured LAFC’s win in Las Vegas and its place in the Open Cup Round of 16. But before LAFC resumes its Cup run (against Loudoun United FC at BMO Stadium on May 21 - $20 tickets), the Black & Gold will contest two MLS matches, the first of which brings Vancouver to town.
Over the years, LAFC is 8W-5L-4D against the Whitecaps across all competitions, and has lost just once to Vancouver in their last six meetings (4W-1L-1D).
The Black & Gold currently sit in seventh place (4W-4L-3D) in the Western Conference with 15 points through 11 games played.
Whitecaps in-depth
Led by head coach Vanni Sartini, the Whitecaps were knocked out of the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs by the Black & Gold, who swept their best-of-three playoff series last fall, two games to none.
The Whitecaps, rejuvenated in 2024, come to L.A. undefeated in their last four matches across all competitions and own a 5W-2L-3D record in MLS play. Sartini’s side sits in fourth place in the Western Conference.
After playing to a scoreless draw against Austin FC last Saturday, the Caps defeated Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC on Tuesday, 2-1, in the first leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinals.
Club captain Ryan Gauld (3 goals, 2 assists) continues to be one of the most durable and productive playmakers in MLS. The Whitecaps are expected to be without veteran midfielder Damir Kreilach (ankle) and defender Sam Adekugbe (calf).
The Black & Gold Can Win If:
They can ride the home support that has lifted the team to an unbeaten record at BMO Stadium so far in 2024 (4W-0L-2D). The Black & Gold has outscored opponents 14-6 at BMO Stadium this year. Olivera has scored three goals in his last two matches, but is seeking his first goal at home this season.
The Caps Can Win If:
They find a way through a resilient LAFC back line that has played well at home, conceding just five non-penalty-kick goals in six home matches. The Caps will most likely come out in a 3-4-3 formation and initiate attacks deep in LAFC territory to try and win opportunities against a side that has shown vulnerability on set pieces.
