Preview: Vancouver Whitecaps vs. Minnesota United – Prediction, Team News, Lineups

Minnesota United can skip that Vancouver Whitecaps for seventh place in the Western Conference standings when the two teams meet in MLS play on Saturday at BC Place Stadium.

Both teams have officially secured a playoff spot, although the Caps lost 3-0 to the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday while the Loons played a 0-0 draw against Real Salt Lake.

Game preview

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It's been a tough home game so far for the Caps as they prepare to play the third of four consecutive domestic meetings on Saturday at BC Place Stadium.

So far they have just a single point in this home stand, despite suffering their worst home defeat of the season against their biggest rival on Wednesday.

Luckily for Vanni SartiniHis team has already secured a place in the postseason, but has remained winless in its last four league games.

For the first time this season, the Whitecaps are in danger of losing consecutive home games in the competition on Saturday.

In 2024, they have dropped 10 points from a winning position in four league contests, points that could take them to second place in the Western Conference.

Currently only one point separates them from Minnesota and the Caps can guarantee that they will avoid the wildcard round with a win this weekend.

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Minnesota United will return to the postseason in 2024 after its four-year playoff run ended with an 11th-place finish in 2023.

Eric RamsayBarcelona's men have picked up at least one point in three consecutive league games without conceding a single goal.

With four points from the final two games of the regular season, they would reach the 50-point mark in a 34-game season for the first time since 2019 (53).

The Loons are unbeaten in five away games in MLS and set a new club record in a single season with seven wins as visitors this year.

That total could be higher as Minnesota failed to win five away games in MLS this season despite leading at halftime, dropping 10 points as a result.

They have not scored maximum points against Vancouver at BC Place (3-1) since the 2022 domestic season, while they have picked up just one point from their last three meetings with the Whitecaps.

Form of the Vancouver Whitecaps in Major League Soccer:

Vancouver Whitecaps form (all competitions):

Minnesota United Major League Soccer form:

Team news

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Caps captain Ryan Gauld was left out of the squad again on Wednesday due to a knee injury Ali Ahmed sat out with an ongoing quad problem.

Two minutes before the end of their game against Seattle, Fafa Picault received a second yellow card and the Haitian will be suspended for the upcoming competition.

Three new faces joined the Whitecaps starting lineup on Wednesday Mathias Laborda, Pedro ViteAnd Sam Adekugbe replaced Björn Inge Utvik, Ryan RaposoAnd Levonte Johnson.

In their last meeting, Minnesota played without Teemu Pukkiwho has tension in the thighs, DJ Taylor had to take a break due to a thigh strain and Zarek Valentine had to sit out due to a knee injury.

A collarbone injury remains Kage Romanshyn from the field for the rest of the season Michael Boxall will have to miss this game due to the accumulation of yellow cards.

On Wednesday against RSL, Loons keeper Dayne St Clair made four stops to record his third straight MLS clean sheet this year.

Possible Vancouver Whitecaps starting lineup:
Takaoka; Utvik, Veselinovic, Blackmon; Berhalter, Vite, Cubas, Armstrong, Adekugbe; White, Johnson

Possible Minnesota United starting lineup:
St Clair; Hlongwane, Harvey, Tapias, Diaz, Rosales; Lod, Dotson, Trapp, Fragapane; Yeboah

We say: Vancouver Whitecaps 1-3 Minnesota United

The Caps aren't looking great at the moment and need a spark somewhere, but with their top chance creator (Gauld) potentially out again, we're expecting it to be another long 90 minutes for them against a Loons team that's currently picks up speed.

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

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