LAFC Aims for Round 1 Sweep Against Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS Playoffs

The Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to host the Los Angeles FC (LAFC) on Sunday, November 3, at 8:45 PM ET in the second game of their Round 1 series in the MLS Western Conference Playoffs. This matchup is crucial for the Whitecaps, who are trying to avoid a second consecutive Round 1 series sweep by LAFC.

The game will be held at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, and will be broadcast on Fox Sports 1 and available for live streaming on Apple TV+.

LAFC, currently ranked third in the MLS, leads the series 1-0 after winning the first game 2-1. The Whitecaps, seeded eighth, have struggled against LAFC, being winless in their last seven meetings across all competitions. Their last positive result was a 2-2 draw in the Leagues Cup in July.

Vancouver manager Vanni Sartini emphasized the need for an extra effort from his team to force a third match in Los Angeles. “The main takeaway is that playing well is probably not enough against them,” Sartini said. “So we need to play well like we did last game. But also, we need to (have) a little bit of extra. That can be the extra performance of the individual, or even the extra … courage we need to have when we are attacking.”

LAFC boasts a diverse array of scoring options, including 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga, Cristian Olivera, and Olivier Giroud. LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo is confident in his team’s ability to adapt to any tactical changes by the Whitecaps, focusing on the individual traits and habits of Vancouver’s players.

The odds for the game favor LAFC, with a predicted score of LAFC 2, Vancouver 1. The moneyline odds are +143 for Vancouver, +163 for LAFC, and +261 for a draw.