The Vancouver Whitecaps vie to snap a four-match winless streak on Saturday when they continue their four-match homestand against Minnesota United.
The Whitecaps (13-10-8, 47 points) are clinging to seventh place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the surging Loons (13-12-7, 46 points). While both clubs have punched their ticket to the postseason, Vancouver is looking to bypass the wild-card round with a victory over Minnesota United.
The Whitecaps would relish a better performance than the ones they put forth over their last four matches (0-2-2), namely a 3-0 setback to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday in a Cascadia Cup encounter.
“For me, it’s not the time to go into the locker room and kick things, kick bottles and that,” Vancouver head coach Vanni Sartini said. “Because (on Wednesday), the guys were with no fuel. And when you have no fuel, it’s hard to compete in a race.”
The Whitecaps likely will be without captain Ryan Gauld for the third consecutive match due to a knee injury. He notched three assists in Vancouver’s 3-1 victory over Minnesota on July 3.
Bongokuhle Hlongwane scored the lone goal for the Loons in that match and leads the team with 11 on the season.
Minnesota gained entry into the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons following its scoreless draw at Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and FC Dallas’ 3-2 loss at the San Jose Earthquakes.
“I think it’s probably one of those games that neither coach nor set of players walks into the locker room after the game feeling particularly thrilled — nor too disappointed,” manager Eric Ramsay said.
The Loons can’t be too disappointed with their defense, most notably Dayne St. Clair. The goalkeeper made four saves versus Real Salt Lake to record his third consecutive clean sheet and sixth this season.
–Field Level Media