The MLS Cup Playoffs has reached the Conference semi-final stage and they get underway in the early hours of the morning UK time on Sunday when the Vancouver Whitecaps host Los Angeles FC for a spot in the Western Conference final.
These two sides finished second and third in the regular season so the winner knows that if San Diego win the other semi-final they will be on their travels for the final but a Minnesota win would have them host that big game.
Where to watch
The match will be shown live and in full with an hour-long build-up on the MLS Season Pass on Apple TV with the show beginning at 1.30am ahead of the 2.30 am kick off. Bookmaker live streams will also show just the match.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Although the Vancouver Whitecaps didn’t top the Western Conference table in the regular season, there is a case to be made that they were the best side but the amount of competitions and the deep runs in them, particularly the Champions Cup earlier in the campaign, caught up with them and they were not able to last home in the race for that top spot, eventually surrendering it on Decision Day. They came through in straight matches in the first round of the playoffs to seal their spot in this match.
The Whitecaps had a bit of a midseason wobble with illnesses and injuries not helping in the middle of the campaign but the summer addition of Thomas Mueller was a masterstroke and his influence has taken the Canadian side to a new level and they will be hoping that he can guide them to victory here. Vancouver are very appealing on the eye and one of the best in the entire MLS at both ends of the pitch so with home advantage they are entitled to fancy their chances here.
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Los Angeles FC
Los Angeles FC always looked like one of the better sides in the Western Conference on paper heading into the season but much like their opponents here, they were involved in a number of competitions and maintaining consistency over that time, especially when one of those events was the Club World Cup, was difficult so they had to settle for third place in the table. They showed all their class in demolishing Austin FC in straight matches to book this semi-final spot.
Vancouver were not the only side to make a high profile summer signing as LAFC did too. They signed Heung-min Son from Tottenham and his immediate connection with Denis Bouanga took the Californian side to a different level, to the extent that going into the playoffs Los Angeles FC were many people’s favourites to win the MLS Cup. LAFC have good tactical flexibility, can sit in and nail sides in transition or control the ball and get their big players into dangerous areas. It will be fascinating to see which tactic they employ here.
Betting
This should be a cracking opener to the Conference semi-finals and there is a genuine case to be made that the winner of this tie will go on and claim the MLS Cup such is the quality that is in the respective sides. Vancouver are the favourites and with home advantage that is understandable but ever since the playoffs have begun I’ve had a feeling that Los Angeles FC will be the Western Conference representatives at the MLS Cup final.
I haven’t changed my mind with that so I’m happy to get on LAFC on the Asian lines here where we will profit if this one goes to extra time, like it very easily could. I just think that LAFC have a bit more tactical flexibility to their set up. They are perfectly happy to sit in and spring on the counter and that might well make life difficult enough for the Californians to prosper, especially with the deadly duo of Heung-min Son and Denis Bouanga in excellent form. This could easily go all the way but if there is a winner inside 90 minutes it can be the visitors so I like them on the Asian line.
Tips
Back Los Angeles FC (+0.25AH) to beat Vancouver Whitecaps for a 3/10 stake at 1.85 with Bet365
