Whitecaps put unbeaten road record on the line at LAFC

VANCOUVER — Amid a busy month of May, the Vancouver Whitecaps (5-2-3) will put their unbeaten road record on the line when they visit a familiar foe today in Los Angeles FC (4-4-3).

“Last year, it was probably our biggest rivalry of the year,” said Whitecaps coach Vanni Sartini following a training session in Vancouver on Thursday.

“We played in every competition — Champions Cup, regular season, playoffs. So I’m really looking forward to this game.”

The 2022 MLS Cup Champions, LAFC went back to the 2023 Cup Final after sweeping the Whitecaps out of the first round last November. They also took out Vancouver on their way to the final of the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League.

This season, the Falcons sit seventh in the Western Conference standings. But they have dominated at BMO Stadium, boasting a home record of 4-0-2.

“We know them really well,” said centre back Ranko Veselinovic. “We know it’s going to be a tough game in that stadium. We’re going to have to be focused all 90 minutes, to work hard all 90 minutes because nothing’s going to come easy on that field.”

The Whitecaps’ last MLS outing was a 0-0 home draw against Austin FC last Saturday, where newcomer Fafa Picault played the full 90 minutes in his fifth start of the year. With three goals and two assists, he has added another layer of offence for Vancouver, which has logged a solid 18 goals in its 10 games to date.

Now 33, Picault says his role in Vancouver is similar to his past MLS stops, most recently in Nashville. “I still feel extremely young, but I’m definitely a seasoned vet now,” he said. “I get to play the part of leadership and also just blending in with the group and knowing what I have to do both on and off the field as a player.”

Vancouver has also been strong defensively. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has allowed just 10 goals in 10 MLS matches and is tied for the MLS lead with four clean sheets.