Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Seattle Sounders – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

After officially securing a spot in the MLS Cup playoffs this weekend, the Vancouver Whitecaps can secure a record eighth Cascadia Cup with a win on Wednesday against the Seattle Sounders at BC Place Stadium.

A 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers secured the Caps a spot in the postseason as they currently sit seventh in the Western Conference, three points behind fifth-place Seattle, the latter defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-1 last time out. 0 defeated from.

Game preview

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The Whitecaps will officially be part of the playoffs for the second year in a row, only the second time they have achieved that feat in the MLS era.

On Saturday, they extended their unbeaten streak at home in the competition to three games, although they won only one of those meetings (2-0 against the San Jose Earthquakes).

Vanni SartiniBarcelona's men are currently winless in three home games and have only scored a single goal in two of those encounters.

They have three home games remaining in the regular season, and if they can win each of those games, they would surpass their win total on familiar MLS turf from a year ago (eight).

In the 2024 domestic season, the Whitecaps failed to win four games when scoring first, resulting in a nine-point loss.

Vancouver is undefeated at home against opponents from Cascadia in the 2024 season and has a win and a draw against the Portland Timbers at BC Place.

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Another solid defensive performance for Seattle on Saturday puts them right in the middle of the top-four position in the Western Conference.

Brian SchmetzerManchester United's men have kept three clean sheets in their last four MLS games, while they are unbeaten in four games in the competition.

Heading into this midweek game, they are tied with the Colorado Rapids for fourth place in the West, but have one fewer win, which keeps them below the Burgundy Boys in the standings.

As we are used to, the Sounders were once again one of the best defensive units in the league this year and conceded 34 goals after 31 matchdays, just one more than the Columbus Crew and therefore the fewest in the MLS, even though the Crew played one game less .

The Rave Green have won three of their last four MLS away games and can claim their seventh domestic triumph as visitors on Wednesday, equaling their 2023 mark.

Seattle is winless in its last three games against the Whitecaps, but beat them (3-2) on their last visit to BC Place in 2023.

Form of the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Seattle Sounders Major League Soccer form:

Seattle Sounders form (all competitions):

Team news

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The Caps were missing their captain in Saturday's draw Ryan Gauld due to a knee strike, during Ali Ahmed also had to take a break due to a quadriceps strain.

The starting lineup against the Timbers featured several new faces who did not play in their game against the Los Angeles Galaxy, including Björn Inge Utvik, Ryan Raposo, Andres Cubas And Fafa Picault.

Brian White scored three minutes into their weekend game, his 10th in his last nine MLS appearances and the 15th for him in the league this season, matching a personal best set in 2023.

On the Sounders side Raul Ruidiaz is struggling with a sore knee, Leo Chu dropped out of their weekend game due to illness and Joao Paulo recovering from a calf injury.

The club signed last Wednesday Jackson Ragen to a contract extension until the end of the 2027 season with an option for 2028.

Paul Rothrock had their only goal against the Dynamo, while Stefan Free Just had to make a stop to get a clean sheet.

Possible Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup:
Takaoka; Utvik, Veselinovic, Halbouni; Berhalter, Cubas, Vite, Adekugbe; Kreilach, Weiss, Picault

Possible Seattle Sounders starting lineup:
Free; A. Roldan, Gomez-Andrade, Ragen, Tolo; C. Roldan, Vargas; De la Vega, Rusnak, Atencio; Morris

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps – Seattle Sounders 1:1

With both teams assured of a postseason spot and several key pieces for both currently on the mend, we don't expect the usual intensity from these arch-rivals, who don't want to risk losing another player so close to the postseason.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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