LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 2018 MLS Match Preview

LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2018 MLS Regular Season — Week 34
Banc of California Stadium — Los Angeles
October 21 — 5 pm ET
WATCH: ESPN+, MLS LIVE on DAZN (Canada)

LAFC are looking to secure a Knockout Round bye, while Vancouver Whitecaps FC are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive when the Western Conference foes square off Sunday at Banc of California Stadium.

LAFC, which defeated Houston Dynamo, 4-2, last Friday, are third place in the West, while the Whitecaps conceded four unanswered goals in a devastating 4-1 home defeat to Sporting Kansas City Wednesday nigh at BC Place.

This is the second all-time meeting, with LAFC winning 2-0 at BC Place on April 13. Carlos Vela and Diego Rossi scored 11 minutes apart in the second half.

LAFC

LAFC (16-8-8) erased an early deficit to defeat the Dynamo, 4-2, last Friday night at the Banc.

Vela leveled from the penalty spot just before halftime and Adama Diomande and Walker Zimmerman struck five minutes apart early in the second half. Vela netted his second goal in the 78th minute to pace LAFC to a second straight win and third in the last four games.

“Really excited with the way we pushed hard, added a lot of tempo, added intensity,” Bob Bradley said. “After the break, Carlos [Vela] picked it up another notch, and that was so important for us. He was more direct, he made runs, and obviously was involved in every goal.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: GK - Quillan Roberts (right fibular fracture), M - Mark-Anthony Kaye (fractured ankle), M - James Murphy (concussion)

Projected Starting XI
(4-2-3-1, right to left)
GK: Tyler Miller — Steven Beitashour, Danilo Silva, Walker Zimmerman, Jordan Harvey — Lee Nguyen, Benny Feilhaber — Aaron Kovar, Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi — Adama Diomande

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

A solid first half was followed by a disastrous second as Vancouver (12-13-7) fell at home to Sporting Kansas City, further damaging their playoff aspirations.

Felipe opened the scoring three minutes from halftime to put the ‘Caps in front, but Yohan Croizet leveled on his final kick in the 62nd minute. Daniel Salloi added a late brace and Gianluca Busio scored his first MLS goal in stoppage time.

“I’ve been a part of this team for quite some time now,” Russell Teibert told said. “This is the first time I want to apologize to the fans and to the people at this club because they don’t deserve what they just saw. That was a team that gave in, and that’s not what we’re about here.”

Suspended: None
Suspended after next caution: None
International duty: None
Injury Report: OUT: F - Marvin Emnes (left adductor strain), M - Efrain Juarez (right calf strain)

Projected Starting XI
(4-1-4-1, right to left)
GK: Stefan Marinovic — Jake Nerwinski, Kendall Waston, Doneil Henry, Brett Levis — Ali Ghazal — Brek Shea, Russell Teibert, Yordy Reyna, Alphonso Davies — Kei Kamara