There’s a Cascadia Cup clash at BC Place Stadium on Saturday with big implications for the MLS Western Conference playoffs Vancouver Whitecaps Host the Portland Timbers.

In their final league game, a 4-2 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy saw the Caps drop to seventh place in the West, just two points ahead of the eighth-place Timbers, who finished a dramatic 3-3 draw with Real Salt -Result import lake.

Game preview

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September hasn’t been a great month for the Caps domestically, but they’re still in a good position to return to the postseason.

In four league games this month, this team has only one win, but a win this weekend combined with a loss or draw against Dallas would be enough to secure a spot in the playoffs.

Vancouver has improved its home form in recent games, picking up at least a point in five of its last six MLS games at BC Place, four of which were wins.

Saturday marks their first home game of four in the competition, giving them the opportunity to reach double-digit MLS home wins for the first time since 2022 (10), with the Caps currently having six league wins at BC Place this year.

Vanni SartiniThe men of Canada will go into this match on a high note, having won the Canadian championship for the third time in a row this week, beating Toronto on penalties on Wednesday (4-2) and securing a place in the CONCACAF Champions Cup for the secured next season.

The Caps have won their last two home games against the Timbers in the competition, securing a narrow 3-2 triumph in Vancouver earlier this year.

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With points in four of their last five league games, the Timbers have significantly increased their chances of returning to the postseason for the first time since 2022.

Portland is currently seven points above the Western Conference playoff line, and a win this weekend, combined with losses to Dallas and Austin FC, would guarantee them a spot in the playoffs.

Phil NevilleManchester United’s men were one of the most exciting MLS teams in 2024, tied with the Galaxy for the most goals scored in the Western Conference this year (63).

Over half of their domestic matches this year (17th/30th) ended with four or more goals between them and their opponent.

This season, Portland have picked up 13 points from a losing position in the second half of their league games, including last weekend against RSL when they overcame a 2-0 deficit to pick up a point thanks to an injury-time equalizer.

The Portland Timbers have not won a regular season game in Canada since their 3-2 win over the Whitecaps at BC Place in April 2022.

Form of the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Portland Timbers Major League Soccer form:

Portland Timbers form (all competitions):

Team news

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Against the Galaxy, Sartini gave many regular players a break before the Canadian championship final, including the captain Ryan Gauld, Fafa Picault And Pedro Vite I started this game on the bench last weekend.

We saw six new faces in the starting XI for them against LA who hadn’t started their previous MLS affair, including Belal Halbouni, Tristan Blackmon, Ralph Priso, Alessandro Schopf, Edier Ocampo And Levonte Johnson.

Brian White scored his team-leading 14th goal of the MLS season last weekend Sam Adekugbe scored for the first time this season.

In their previous encounter Claudio Bravo only lasted until the end of the first half as he is still recovering from a lower leg problem, while the Timbers will be without their joint top scorer Evander on Saturday due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

After missing their game against RSL due to suspension, Dario Zuparic is eligible to return to Portland’s lineup against Vancouver.

AnthonyEvander and Jonathan Rodríguez Both scored in the second half last weekend, with the Uruguayan’s 92nd-minute strike earning them a point as he joins Evander for the team lead in that department.

Possible Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup:
Takaoka; Blackmon, Veselinovic, Utvik; Raposo, Armstrong, Cubas, Vite; Picault, White, Gauld

Possible Portland Timbers starting lineup:
Crepeau; Mosquera, Zuparic, K. Miller, Bravo; Williamson, Chara; Moreno, Toye, Antony; Mora

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 2:1 Portland Timbers

Losing one of the league’s best chance-creators (Evander) is a huge blow for the visitors, and while Vancouver may be a little worn out from the midweek affair, we believe they can find a way to get past the Timbers unit , which has plenty of leftover space behind it.

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

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