USA - Major League Soccer
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by Carlos Zabala in Major League Soccer Picks
The Vancouver Whitecaps have never won the MLS Cup, while LAFC has only managed it once, in 2022. However, the Canadian and Californian teams are both strong contenders to win it this year; they are already among the top eight teams, and the series between them begins this Saturday at BC Place in Vancouver. The Whitecaps are slight favorites at +115 odds to win Game 1.
The LAFC-Whitecaps matchup will occur for the third consecutive year in the playoffs. In 2024, LAFC won Game 1 at BMO Stadium. The Whitecaps won Game 2, forcing a third game in Los Angeles. With a goal from Bouanga, LAFC won again, eliminating the Canadian club. This happened last year in the Round of 16. In the 2023 season, when LAFC finished as runners-up, they also eliminated the Whitecaps in the Round of 16 over two legs.
In the regular season, the Whitecaps stood out for their frenetic, end-to-end style of play, which allowed them to tie San Diego FC for the Western Conference lead with 63 points. Inter Miami was the only team to score more than the 66 goals the Canadian team netted in 34 matches.
LAFC finished the regular season winning 6 of their last 8 games, climbing to third place in the Western Conference with a very healthy goal difference of +15.
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Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angeles FC Form
Vancouver Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 11, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 1, 2025 - Canadian Championship
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Oct 26, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 1, 2025 - Canadian Championship
Sep 24, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 16, 2025 - Canadian Championship
2/6 (33%)
3/6 (50%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 1, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 11, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 27, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 20, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 13, 2025 - Canadian Championship
Aug 9, 2025 - Major League Soccer
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 2, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 29, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 12, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 8, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Oct 29, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 8, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 5, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 21, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 31, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Aug 1, 2025 - Leagues Cup
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Nov 2, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 18, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Oct 12, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 27, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 17, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Sep 13, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps against Los Angeles FC : Head to Head (H2H)
33 %
17 %
50 %
Average stats (last H2H results)
Jun 29, 2025 - Major League Soccer
May 11, 2025 - Major League Soccer
Nov 8, 2024 - Major League Soccer
Nov 3, 2024 - Major League Soccer
Oct 27, 2024 - Major League Soccer
Oct 13, 2024 - Major League Soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps - Los Angeles FC: Form Analysis
Both teams looked strong in their Round of 16 matchups; LAFC showed no mercy. With a goal from Nathan Ordaz, they defeated Austin in Game 1 in Los Angeles, and at Q2 Stadium, their star players quickly sealed the series in their favor. A goal from Son Heung-Min, a brace from Gabonese striker Bouanga, and a final goal from Ebobisse routed Austin on their home turf.
Despite facing challenges, the Vancouver Whitecaps easily defeated FC Dallas 3-0 in Canada, thanks to a penalty goal from Thomas Muller. At Toyota Stadium, a draw in regulation time forced a penalty shootout, where the Whitecaps were flawless with goals from Muller, Berhalter, Nakamura, and Halbouni.
History of matches between the Whitecaps and LAFC shows that the Los Angeles team, in both MLS and Concacaf Champions League, has defeated the Canadian side three times in knockout games. However, this season, LAFC was unable to claim three points on any of its trips to Canada.
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Los Angeles FC v Vancouver Whitecaps last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 3 - 3
Missing players
Adrian Zendejas
DefenderT. Blackmon
R. Veselinovic
S. Adekugbe
S. Schonlau
ForwardB. White
Vancouver Whitecaps & Los Angeles FC Squad Analysis
Steve Cherundolo is in the midst of his final season as LAFC's head coach. He has playoff experience but undoubtedly has an even stronger team than last year with the addition of Heung-Min Son. The South Korean was the best player in the first playoff game against Austin, and in the second, in addition to his goal, he provided an assist after playing a couple of friendly matches in Seoul, both of which his national team won. South Korea's best player is back on Canadian soil for the match against the Whitecaps.
As if that weren't enough, Denis Bouanga rediscovered his scoring touch at just the right moment. The experienced striker scored 9 goals from September 13th to October 5th, including two hat-tricks in a span of 5 games, and was the most influential player in Game 2 against Austin FC. Denis Bouanga has scored 9 goals in his career against the Whitecaps.
While LAFC has its best attacking options available, the Whitecaps do not; they will be without Brian White, their leading scorer in the regular season, on Saturday. Schonlau and Blackmon are also out with injuries. Legendary veteran Thomas Muller is expected to start in Game 1.
Most goals and assists
Vancouver Whitecaps
Los Angeles FC
B. White
(22 Goals)
D. Bouanga
(30 Goals)
S. Berhalter
(12 Assists)
D. Bouanga
(10 Assists)
Vancouver Whitecaps - Los Angeles FC Key Points
- In three of the last four Whitecaps-LAFC games, one of the two teams failed to score.
- The Whitecaps had 61% possession in their game against FC Dallas
- The Vancouver Whitecaps' best previous MLS semifinal appearance was at 2.41
- LAFC generated a 2.41 xg in their last win against Austin FC
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Our Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angeles FC Prediction
Scoring the first goal on Saturday is crucial for the Vancouver Whitecaps, as they have won every playoff game in which they have done so, leaving their opponents unable to secure a draw.
In May, during the MLS regular season, it was LAFC who scored first in Canada, with a pair of goals from Delgado and Bouanga before the 20-minute mark. The game ended 2-2. It was one where the Whitecaps were also the favorites in the betting.
Our prediction for Vancouver Whitecaps vs LAFC is: LAFC to win or draw.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Los Angeles FC - Other Interesting Picks
Denis Bouanga
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