FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 Reyna stays grounded

Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson lauded his own No. 10 for keeping his passionate Peruvian temper under control against the Quakes last week, even after being yellowcarded for dissent with the Caps still down 2-0 in the second half.

Yordy Reyna, who has been sent off twice this season, calmed himself, then scored the goal minutes later that opened the second-half floodgates.

He also served up the game-winning goal to Kei Kamara. 2

No sleeping through Quakes

San Jose has beaten only two teams this year: Minnesota and Dallas. But the Toros just happen to be the Western Conference leaders, and the Quakes swept them this season, including Wednesday’s 4-3 win at Avaya Stadium.

Chris Wondolowski, making his first start in five games, netted the winner, his 142nd career goal, just four behind Landon Donovan for the all-time MLS lead. 3

Totally not scoreboard watching

Any of the top eight teams in the West could end up winning the conference, as only nine points separate the eighth-place Whitecaps and table-topping Toros.

Robinson said he’s watching intently, but not for who is moving up and down the standings.

The Caps coach scouts each team for trends, players in form, substitution patterns and other analytical data. 4 The Bug’s a beast

When the Caps beat San Jose 3-2 last week, after Cristian Techera notched the middle marker in the three-goal explosion, Vancouver improved to an incredible 25-09 when he scores or has an assist. 5 The goal is fewer goals

The Caps have scored two or more in their last five games and, with eight games remaining, are within 10 of matching the teamrecord 53 scored in 2013.

But just three teams have given up more than their 51, four short of the most in team history.