Friday night at BMO Stadium, the Vancouver Whitecaps will contest game three of their first round playoff series against LAFC, with the winner moving on to play the Seattle Sounders in the conference semi-finals.
It’s a huge match for both teams as Vancouver is looking for their chance to progress to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Meanwhile LAFC is looking to return to former glory as they’ve played a number of major finals since their 2022 MLS Cup Victory, but only have a 2024 US Open Cup Trophy in a win over Sporting KC to show for it. Certainly, while supporters in Vancouver are excited about the prospect of advancing, I think it’s safe to say the pressure is firmly on LAFC in this match, especially at home.
Now, the nature of a best-of-three series indicates that there is only so much these two teams don’t know about one another at this point. The strengths and weaknesses of both sides have been on display through the first two matches, so it really comes down to fine adjustments – the way each of these teams play, holistically, is not about to change.
With that being said. Let’s talk about some of those potential adjustments. There are two major question marks for LAFC going into game three, at least from a tactical standpoint.
The first is whether or not Olivier Giroud should start again as the number nine for Steve Cherundolo’s side. While no one is doubting the Frenchman’s qualities, he doesn’t really fit the way LAFC is looking to attack, and it’s been a real case of oil and water failing to mix through the first two games. Giroud is best holding up the ball and heading crosses in the box, but LAFC does neither of those things very often. Equally, Denis Bouanga and Mateusz Bogusz are always looking to get on the front foot in transition, but that’s not really Giroud’s game.
So, where could Cherundolo mix things up? One option is to play Bogusz centrally and bring in the 18-year-old David Martínez to play in the front three. While the youngster only played 456 minutes in the regular season, he had 4 goals and 2 assists in that time, and really fits those other two attackers, in terms of style, much better than Giroud.
The second area Cherundolo could shift is by returning to a back four. LAFC only started playing a 3-4-3 late in the season, and to be fair to the manager, it worked to great effect at that time. That being said, Vancouver has clearly found a weakness, using Fafa Picault to stretch defensive lines and expose wide areas, in conjunction with everything White, Gauld, and Armstrong can do in the middle of the park. To combat this, LAFC might consider going back to their original formation for more support, or if not, perhaps by adding the likes of Ilie Sánchez/Eduard Atuesta for a different profile in the midfield.
From Vancouver’s side of the matchup, it’s difficult to imagine much will change.
They will look to defend in a 4-3-2-1 shape, and they will look to build in possession with a back three, with one of those fullbacks joining the attack. We all witnessed the strength of Ali Ahmed and Stuart Armstrong playing as dual number eights at BC Place, so it would be surprising if Vanni Sartini goes back to Pedro Vite in that role. Equally, I have to think the front three will remain unchanged.
Given this, the only place I could see a possible personnel shift is at right-back. While Seb Berhalter was tremendous against Bouanga at home, I think that might be a change-up pitch you should only throw once. I could see Vancouver starting the match with Mathias Laborda back in the Starting XI at the right back spot, allowing Sam Adekugbe to have more of a role joining the attack on the opposite side of the pitch. This also means that Vancouver has two pretty versatile midfield options off the bench in Berhalter and Vite.
Overall, this is a match that will probably come down to execution in critical moments more than anything else. These teams have demonstrated that they are quite closely matched through the first two games, so small margins are probably going to be crucial to the outcome of game three, unless there’s a major surprise.
I think that while LAFC has the historical edge and probably a slight edge on roster talent, Vancouver has all the momentum and has shown to have a tactical edge so far in this series. All in all, I think this one goes to a nerve-racking penalty shootout. From there, I have to back the Whitecaps, because it’s time for them to get over the hump against LAFC.
More important than the tactical tweaks is that each player has to play at the 7.5+ rating. We’re going to see a different LAFC team. If Gauld, White, Fafa, Armstrong and Ali can create some attacking magic then we have a better than 50/50 chance
I think that LAFC needs to bolster their central midfield with an extra player and go back to a 4-3-3. I agree that we might see Atuesta back in the mix with the veteran Ilie Sanchez coming off the bench.
LAFC is a really good quick “strike team” in that break the lines with a good forward pass then get on the horses and I like that about them, and I also agree that Giroud seems like a square in a round hole in that style of play, so maybe going with a more fleet youngster like Martinez would be better.
I don’t like the Laborda suggestion. He was looking vulnerable the longer the first game progress and ragdolled by Bouanga on one play that led to an excellent chance. Berhalter is a warrior but on the road here he is going to need more midfield defensive support and that didn’t happen enough for Laborda in the first game.
As Salty implies, Vite doesn’t have enough big dick energy for these tough road match ups, whereas Gauld packs Arnold Palmer’s type of tackle. Vite shouldn’t start.
LAFC doesn’t really have a “second team” and they intend to win. In fact, they intend to win by a landslide. They will start their strongest players. They will play fast and they will be physical. Rarely do you see a player on that team standing still. They have multiple players who have zero problem being aggressive; one being Murillo. He’s big and strong, but he’s also slow. If he can be moved from his comfort zone, he can be beaten. If Vancouver’s offense were to target anyone, it should be Murillo. LAFC will move the ball from one side to the other in quick succession to keep Vancouver off balance and open. It will be up to Vancouver to try to set the pace from the first whistle, and they will lose the ball almost every time they go for the long overhead passes. LAFC has an explosive field advantage, and the perception, by some, that the referees favor them. I expect a lot of fireworks.
exchanging berhalter for laborda is not a good idea- Seba had a very good game, is a smarter player, locked down Bouanga for most of the game, is quicker on the turns of opponents, so why change ?? and starting Vite in a tough game is also NADA– he doesnt play tough enough in these pressure-packed games – a 20-30 minute sub is better
i dont expect to win, but i do hope the Caps give LAFC a ‘run for their money’
and i am open to surprises
Vite as the sub for Armstrong if he can’t go 90 seems about right for me.
I hope he can, but I don’t think he has progressed his fitness that much. But maybe.
Be really nice to have him on the field if it goes to PKs right at the end of regulation