LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021
7:30 p.m. PT
TV: Bally’s Sports SoCal, Estrella News
RADIO: ESPN App (Audio), KFWB 980 AM
It all comes down to this. The final home game of the 2021 regular season at the Banc. LAFC hosts Vancouver on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in a match between teams who are only separated by three points. The Black & Gold need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive – a loss will mean LAFC misses the postseason for the first time in Club history.
LAFC enters the match in good form and brimming with confidence after a 3-0 win over Seattle on Oct. 26 that saw Carlos Vela return to the field for the first time since late August. Vela re-injured his quad against the White Caps in Vancouver on Aug. 21, leaving early in the first half – but the 2019 MLS MVP is hoping to join the high-scoring Cristian Arango for a playoff push.
It will not be easy against Vancouver. The Whitecaps fired head coach and former LAFC assistant Marc Dos Santos on Aug. 27, and since that time have exploded for a 7-2-3 (W-L-T) record, only losing one time since Sept. 10 under interim head coach Vanni Sartini.
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VANCOUVER WHITECAPS IN-DEPTH
Sartini has this version of the Whitecaps flying, playing with confidence and defending well and finding goals from Brian White, who has 12 goals and three assists. White has been extremely dangerous in this final stretch, scoring half of his goals since Oct. 2. New Designated Player Ryan Gauld, who joined the Whitecaps on July 31 from SC Farense of the Portuguese Primeira Liga, has also had a major impact. Gauld scored the game-winner vs. LAFC in the 89th minute on Aug. 21, and is a strong player, who can take over a game with his playmaking ability. Similar to Cristian Arango with LAFC, Gauld has helped the Whitecaps push into the playoffs with three goals and five assists in just 1,128 minutes.
LAFC WILL WIN IF
They can keep the momentum going at home and pressure the Whitecaps with high-energy players like Raheem Edwards and Latif Blessing. And Cristian Arango continues his hot scoring streak.
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS CAN WIN IF
They take advantage of brilliance from Gauld and the high-striking scoring rate of White. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau has been one of the best goalkeepers in MLS in the last few months – and if he gives another stellar performance, the Caps could take this one.
Inspired by Dracula (1931).
