The 2024 MLS regular season is nearing its close. Including this evening, LAFC have just two matches remaining before gearing up for the all-important playoffs. There is a sliver of hope that the team can still finish the year on top of the Western Conference, but Galaxy need just a single point from these last two games to clinch that honor, so its likely the team come into tonight with not much to play for outside of maintaining their position in second. The home side Vancouver Whitecaps on the other hand, come into this one with plenty left to fight for as their season comes to an end.
Matchday: #VANvLAFC
⏰ 4:30 PM PT
🖥️ @AppleTV with #MLSSeasonPass
🎧 @ESPNLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/OGl42ryC80— LAFC (@LAFC) October 13, 2024
Playoff positioning
Vancouver come into tonight’s match sitting in eighth place. They have already secure playoffs, but where they land in the seeding remains to be seen. They could find themselves finishing in the ninth spot or as high as fifth and that is a massive difference. As we saw last year when the new format was introduced, the two bottom seeds (8 & 9) will play in the single-elimination wild card match – hosted by the higher seed – and the winner will still have to face the number one seed in the conference in a best-of-3 series. Not exactly the most appealing road in the Western Conference. A Whitecaps win would give them a far better chance at avoiding that completely and getting as high as fifth, even a draw would put them in a better spot going into Decision Day. Expect them to come out aggressive and looking to take advantage of what could be a lulling LAFC.
Keeping sharp
LAFC come into this match pretty much settled into where they are. Sure, they sit just two points clear of Seattle Sounders in that second place spot, but they also have a game in hand. Even still, the team have already secured a first-round home field advantage, so seeding isn’t as crucial to them now that the chances of finishing in the top spot are all but gone. In addition, as we are currently in International “break” LAFC find themselves coming into tonight down a few players. Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera are away representing their respective nations so they will not be available for the black & gold. When these two last faced off in July, it was Vancouver who came away with the penalty shootout win in Leagues Cup action, but you have to go back to 2023 to find the last MLS victory Vancouver scored over LAFC. That said, any result will do for LAFC tonight, so as long as the team aren’t caught complete asleep, they should still have enough available to see out the draw at the very least on the road.
How To Watch
Kickoff for this match is set for 4:30pm PT from BC Place in British Colombia, Canada. The match will be broadcast live and can be streamed on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Those looking for radio can find the broadcast on ESPN LA on 710AM.
Thoughts on the match tonight? Leave a comment below!