After a convincing 5-2 victory in Game 1 of their Round One, best-of-three series against the Vancouver Whitecaps, LAFC will go north of the border for Game 2 on Sunday, November 5 at BC Place.

A late goal by Jess David Murillo followed by doubles from MVP contender Dénis Bouanga and Ryan Hollingshead gave the Black and Gold a 1-0 series lead.

The 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner, Bouanga, became LAFC’s all-time highest scorer in the playoffs with his two goals on Saturday. Bouanga has scored more than once in a playoff game for LAFC, a first for the club.

The series victor will take on the victor of Seattle Sounders vs. FC Dallas. After a 2-0 victory over FC Dallas on Monday night, the Sounders took a 1-0 series lead. Game 2 is slated for Saturday, November 4, in Dallas.

Deeper Look at Whitecaps

The Whitecaps, coached by Vanni Sartini, need a victory to force a deciding Game 3. 

Striker Brian White, who had 15 goals and five assists in 32 regular season MLS games, scored in the first half of Game 1 to make it 1-1. After missing time with an injury, White’s 27th-minute goal was assisted by Caps midfielder Andrés Cubas. 

After playing to a 1-1 tie on October 21 at BC Place, LAFC has won both of their most recent games against Vancouver by a combined score of 6-3 and has outscored Vancouver 14-6 in 2023 (five games) in all competitions. Tristan Blackmon, a defender, spent three seasons (2018–2021) with LAFC. Maxime Crépeau, current LAFC goalkeeper, spent 2019–2021 with Vancouver, where current LAFC assistant coach Marc dos Santos was his coach.

IF (and only if) THE BLACK AND GOLD

It’s the first one to register on the board. When scoring first, LAFC has only lost once in its last 24 games across all competitions. Expect LAFC’s starting XI to be similar if not identical to the side that took the field for Game 1. In an effort to force a decisive Game 3 and conclude the series, head coach Steve Cherundolo will start his best players.

WHITECAPS WILL WIN ONLY IF

They pounce on any holes in the LAFC defense and score early and often. Two of the three goals LAFC has let up this season have come in the first half, both coming against Vancouver (June 24 and October 28). The Whitecaps are likely to adopt a deep defensive block formation and play on the counterattack. Midfielder Ryan Gauld may be the difference if Game 2 requires a shootout. Before the 1-1 draw with LAFC on Decision Day, the star midfielder had never missed a penalty kick in Major League Soccer.