Afrigather 
Vanni Sartini says he has hope as Vancouver Whitecaps look to finish their current shedding run in opposition to Portland Timbers within the MLS playoffs Western Convention Wild Card match.
The Whitecaps completed eighth within the desk, solely above Wednesday’s opponents having secured extra wins, however resulting from scheduling conflicts, won’t have residence benefit for this tie.
It’s a disappointment to the membership, who didn’t win any of their final seven matches within the common season, shedding their final 4 on the bounce.
Nevertheless, Sartini took coronary heart from their playoff qualification and is assured his workforce can get again to profitable methods in a recreation with a lot resting on it.
“We should be sincere with one another,” he advised reporters. “We have been sincere after we had dangerous performances in opposition to Minnesota and Seattle, however the performances within the final two video games have been good.
“There have been some moments [against Real Salt Lake] that make me actually optimistic for Wednesday.
“All the things will not be black now. It’s a playoff recreation, all people’s glad to be within the playoffs, we’re not moody. Will probably be an excellent recreation to show up and play an excellent recreation in opposition to them.”
‘Trigger child, *since ’75* we bought dangerous blood
It will mark the seventh playoff assembly between the ‘Caps & Timbers since 1975, so let’s have a look again on the 6 earlier conferences
Tune in Wednesday on TSN or for FREE on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV #VWFChttps://t.co/E1c7RjZ2JC
— X – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 21, 2024
Portland additionally slumped over the road on the finish of the common season, failing to win any of their final 5, and failed to grab a win at 10-man Seattle Sounders in a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
They haven’t received at Windfall Park since mid-September, and head coach Phil Neville is in search of enhancements amongst his entrance line to get the higher of their rivals.
“The entrance six, 4 specifically, must do higher for us,” he stated. “It falls on all of them to get us by means of the playoffs.
“Their effort is unbelievable, as is the focus and self-discipline, however we’d like them to ship in these large moments.
“Our forwards have been phenomenal this season, however they’ve bought the problem of working across the stress, and the massive gamers at all times step up, and we consider that ours can.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Isaac Boehmer
The Whitecaps misplaced their closing 4 matches of the common season and would be the first workforce in MLS historical past to enter the playoffs on a four-match outright shedding streak.
In that run, Isaac Boehmer conceded eight objectives and scored an personal aim that turned out to be the winner in opposition to Actual Salt Lake final trip. He can be eager to place issues proper after they face Portland on Wednesday.
Portland Timbers – Evander
Evander recorded an help on Portland’s lone aim of their season finale, his 18th of the season to associate with 15 objectives.
Evander’s 18 assists and 33 aim contributions are each Timbers single-season membership information, surpassing Diego Valeri’s help whole from 2019 (16) and aim contribution whole from 2017 (32).
All for the cup.
The Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs begin THIS WEEK. pic.twitter.com/Wgu7m4tQli
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
This would be the second MLS playoff tie between Portland and Vancouver after the Timbers defeated the Whitecaps 2-0 on combination within the 2015 Convention Semifinals.
General, the eight conferences because the begin of the 2022 season have been break up, with all sides profitable 3 times and drawing twice.
The Whitecaps are solely slim favourites to win this recreation and have been eradicated in six of their earlier seven MLS Cup playoff ties, solely advancing previous San Jose Earthquakes with a 5-0 win within the 2017 First Spherical. Vancouver have scored 5 whole objectives of their different 9 all-time MLS playoff matches.
In the meantime, Portland haven’t misplaced any of their 5 one-leg playoff matches at Windfall Park (W2 D3), although they have been eradicated on penalties twice after attracts in these matches. The Timbers failed to attain of their final two residence matches this season, their first back-to-back scoreless video games on the venue since 2019.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps – 39.9%
Draw – 26.6%
Portland Timbers – 33.5%
