After a two-week FIFA international break, LAFC plays the Vancouver Whitecaps on the road in the last regular season match of 2023 on Saturday, October 21, at BC Place. LAFC won the match 4-2 on the road against Austin FC on October 7. 

The Black and Gold improved to 14 wins, 10 losses, and 9 draws in MLS action in 2023 with goals from Timothy Tillman, Denis Bouanga (two goals), and Cristian Olivera in Austin. After this win, LAFC will enter Major League Soccer’s Decision Day in second position in the Western Conference. By claiming victory in Vancouver, LAFC can ensure themselves the #2 spot in the Western Conference. 

After scoring twice against the Verde, Bouanga’s lead in the race for the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi widened to three goals (19 to 16) over Luciano Acosta of FC Cincinnati. 

Overall, LAFC has a 6W-5L-3D record versus the Whitecaps, but in BC Place, LAFC has a 1W-4L-0D record.

It’s a win for the Black and Gold if

They may continue just where they left off before the international break. Los Angeles FC has won its last two MLS matches by a combined score of 9-3. This is the club’s first two-game winning run since June. The Black and Gold have dropped their past two matches played on a non-grass surface (in Portland and Charlotte), so they’ll need to get back on track quickly if they are to beat a Whitecaps squad gunning for a playoff spot in the top four.

IN CASE OF A WHITECAPS WIN

The forward motion will be maintained. Vancouver has won its past four matches in a row and has lost just two of its previous 10. This winning streak includes a 3-0 victory over West-leading St. Louis City SC. The Whitecaps defeated LAFC 3-2 at BMO Stadium on June 24, 2023, avenging a 6-0 setback to the club in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. They’ll want to reclaim the dominance they exercised that night over the Black and Gold, whose goal totals have been all over the place thus far in 2023.