The Vancouver Whitecaps are back in action on Saturday, looking to put their Canadian Championship disappointment behind them when they visit Real Salt Lake.
The Western Conference leaders have had a very mixed September, taking just four points from their last four MLS matches. Vancouver opened the month with a 3-1 home loss to St. Louis CITY SC before bouncing back with a 3-0 victory over the LA Galaxy. But that momentum did not last, as the Whitecaps fell 2-1 to Austin FC last weekend before Wednesday’s Canadian Championship semifinal loss in Montréal.
CF Montréal’s 2-1 second-leg victory sent the Quebec club through 3-2 on aggregate and ended Vancouver’s four-year reign as Voyageurs Cup champions.
Now the focus shifts back to an MLS season in which Vancouver remains atop the Western Conference on 46 points, although the gap has tightened during a September stretch that has brought just one league victory. Houston, Dallas, San Jose and St. Louis all trail by no more than five points.
Brian White is back leading the Whitecaps’ attack. The American striker was back in the goals last weekend and leads Vancouver with 15 MLS goals, while Ryan Gauld has rediscovered his form with two goals and two assists in his last four appearances.
There is also an intriguing Canadian storyline in Utah, where World Cup centre-back Luc de Fougerolles is still unavailable to make his RSL debut. The 20-year-old was previously linked with Vancouver, but surprisingly joined RSL on loan from Fulham on transfer deadline day. His first appearance has been delayed by the wait for his P-1 visa, and he will miss a fourth straight game as a result.
It’s a good time for the Whitecaps to visit. RSL are winless in 11 straight MLS games and have a long list of injuries, while Vancouver have won their last three meetings with the Utah side. Which version of the Caps will show up?
More to come.