The Vancouver Whitecaps are off to a great start.
They have a 4-1-1 record and sit on top of the MLS Western Conference and second in the overall MLS standings. Vancouver also has the best goal differential in the league at +8. They also are first in goals per match with 2.3, have they second least expected goals conceded with 5.6 and their nine first-half goals are also best in the league. The Whitecaps have only conceded six goals and that puts them in a three-way tie for least conceded in MLS with the Houston Dynamo and Charlotte FC.
After a 3-2 win over Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers and a 4-0 beat down of Canadian rivals, Toronto FC, the Whitecaps turn the page to LA Galaxy
First vs second
The Galaxy sit second in the Western Conference with 12 points, one behind Vancouver. Last season was a bad one for the Galaxy as they finished second last in the Western Conference with an 8-12-14 record.
However, it looks like they are shooting for the stars once again. The Galaxy have been shooting stars this season. (Sorry for the bad sky puns) Like the Whitecaps, they have scored 14 goals. Striker Dejan Joveljic leads the way with six goals.
Riqui Puig is easily their best player. The former FC Barcelona academy product is one of the best creators and ball-winners in MLS. He is their engine and has two goals and two assists this season.
However, as much as the Galaxy score, they give up a lot of goals. They have already given up 11.
Keep up the scoring
The Whitecaps have been one of the best defensive teams in MLS as mentioned above. However, the best defence is offence.
The biggest key for the Whitecaps is to score early. They’ve done it in the past two games and it would be huge if they could do it against LA Galaxy. With the Galaxy not being the best defensive team, the Whitecaps scoring early would be a way to throw them off their game.
“I think the Galaxy are the most exciting team when they have the ball,” said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini on Thursday to the media. “We have to be aggressive and good enough to win the ball as high we can prevent them from serving their best players. And we need to continue playing well offensively like we’ve done because they enjoy being in charge of the game. We need to try our best to be us, the team on the front foot.”
That would have to involve Brian White, Ryan Gauld and Fafa Picault who have lead the way offensively so far.
The Whitecaps need to take the intensity from the Toronto game and crank it up to 100.
Another big crowd is expected
The Whitecaps are expecting another big crowd as over 22,000 are expected to be at BC Place for the game against the Galaxy. That will be the seventh straight match for the Whitecaps with over 22,000 in attendance.
The duel for supremacy in the wild, wild west is at 7:30 pm Pacific.