Vancouver Whitecaps look to snap two-game skid against Los Angeles FC
Vancouver Whitecaps' Tate Johnson, front, is upended by Los Angeles FC's David Martinez during the first half of an MLS soccer match, in Vancouver, on Sunday, May 11, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps are in unfamiliar territory — looking to snap a losing skid.
A 5-3 defeat to expansion side San Diego FC on Wednesday marked Vancouver's second loss in a row. It's the first time this season the team has dropped back-to-back games.
The result saw the Whitecaps (10-3-5) slip to the No. 2 spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference. They'll strive to reclaim first place Sunday when they visit Los Angeles FC (7-4-5).
Even after a pair of losses, there's no panic among the 'Caps, said head coach Jesper Sorensen.
'It's about believing in what we should be good at and what we should be doing well,' he said. 'We're in a very good position. We've earned our position. So we earned the right to step aside a couple of times. But we, of course, have to get back into winning things as well. But it's a difficult position.'
There are lessons to be taken from Wednesday's loss, he added, including that the team needs to play with courage and without hesitation.
'Of course we got punished pretty hard,' the coach said. 'That's what it is. But also that we shouldn't wait to start taking initiative — we should take it right away.'
LAFC is a team Vancouver knows well — Sunday's matchup will mark the 14th time the two sides have clashed since April 2023.
The last bout came May 11 at B.C. Place, where the 'Caps fell behind early before rallying to earn a 2-2 draw.
The Whitecaps need to play with more intensity to collect all three points this time out, said defender Mathias Laborda.
'We have to step forward and do a good game,' he said.
With elite players — including striker Denis Bouanga — on the roster, L.A. presents a number of offensive threats, Laborda added.
'They're a really good team. They have really good players with quality. So we expect a really good game,' he said.
L.A. is coming off a tough run at the FIFA Club World Cup where they finished at the bottom of their group with two losses and a draw, but is unbeaten in the club's last nine MLS games (4-5-0).
The club is one of the better teams Vancouver has faced this season, Sorensen said, and Sunday's contest will be a difficult one.
'We know that they have some players we have to give special attention to. We know they have some things in their play that they're very good at and we have to take care of,' the coach said.
'But we also know we're a pretty good team ourselves and we have to also believe and trust in what we are doing. And then believe that that's how we're going to win the game.'
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (10-3-5) AT LAFC (7-4-5)
Sunday, BMO Stadium
GOODBYE GIROUD: Olivier Giroud is set to play his final game for LAFC on Sunday. The club announced Friday that is has 'mutually parted ways' with the famed French striker. Giroud signed with L.A. in May 2024, but has struggled in MLS, putting up five goals in 37 games across all competitions.
HOME FIELD ADVANTAGE?: LAFC has been solid at BMO Stadium this year, posting a 6-1-1 record in MLS play. The Whitecaps have been one of the league's best road teams, though, and are 4-1-3 away from B.C. Place.
LOCKED DOWN: Despite giving up five goals on Wednesday, Vancouver has conceded the fewest goals in the Western Conference (19) and is tied with San Diego for the best goal differential (+15) in the West.
This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith of The Canadian Press was first published June 27, 2025.
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