Whitecaps on verge of playoff spot as East-leading Union visit

The Philadelphia Union have already qualified for the MLS Cup playoffs. Now, the Vancouver Whitecaps will try to claim their own spot in the postseason as they host the Supporters' Shield leaders on Saturday night.

Vancouver, currently third in the Western Conference with seven matches to go, has several paths to qualify for the playoffs, the simplest being a win or a draw against the Union.

The Whitecaps (14-6-7, 49 points) can also clinch with a loss or draw by the San Jose Earthquakes or Real Salt Lake, or with a loss by the Colorado Rapids.

While Vancouver's star attraction is Thomas Muller, the German legend was not its sole signing in the transfer window. The club also acquired Belgian defender Joedrick Pupe on Aug. 21, but his MLS debut is unlikely for Saturday.

"I think it's going to be difficult for him making it to Saturday," Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen said. "He hasn't really trained with the team yet. What I saw looked good and that's the most positive thing."

The Whitecaps continue to await the return of Ryan Gauld (10 goals, 15 assists in 2024), who has missed all but three games this season due to a knee injury.

"He's had some periods where he's looked good, been out on the pitch, and he had some setbacks," Sorensen said. "Right now he looks stable and he does more and more."

The Union (17-6-6, 57 points) can take a step closer to the club's second-ever Supporters' Shield with a win. They are one point ahead of San Diego FC with five matches remaining.

While the presence of Muller will loom over Saturday's proceedings, that can't be the team's focus, Union head coach Bradley Carnell said.

"It's an exciting challenge coming up against a really good player like Thomas Muller, (but) we want to forget the name on the back of the jersey for a change and then focus just on our crest and not worry too much about that," Carnell said.

Philadelphia will be without defender Olwethu Makhanya (red card suspension).

Meanwhile, starting goalkeeper Andre Blake (hamstring), who hasn't played since Aug. 16 against the New York Red Bulls, has returned to training, per Carnell.

--Field Level Media