VANCOUVER, B.C. — Already eliminated from the playoffs the Vancouver Whitecaps (7-15-10) travel to Los Angeles to face the Galaxy (15-13-3) Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET for their last road trip of the season.
Designated player Ali Adnan will not make the trip. The left back is suspended due to yellow card accumulation after collecting his eighth yellow card last Saturday in the 1-1 draw against the Columbus Crew.
“We all know the pieces they have and how good they are at home,” head coach Marc Dos Santos said. “I remember how dangerous they were [in the teams’ last meeting] when we allowed them some crosses that they got on the end of it.”
The Galaxy won 2-0 at BC Place on April 4 thanks to goals by Daniel Steres and superstar Zlatan Ibrahimović. Vancouver, however, had several chances early on, and Adnan missed a penalty in the first half.
Adnan has struggled recently and his defensive play, in particular, has been a concern for the Whitecaps staff. Nonetheless, his presence on the pitch and his ability to shut down big-name players, as well as the sort of magic he has produced at times this season, will be a significant loss for the Whitecaps on Saturday.
Without the Iraq international in the squad, other players will have to step up and use the opportunity to get some valuable minutes. At the same time, Dos Santos insisted this week that the last two games are not about auditioning for next year.
Dos Santos believes the players will be motivated to get results even with the ‘Caps out of the playoff picture. “Playing the Galaxy in L.A. is always a source for motivation for any player,” he said.
Another goal Saturday is to build momentum for the 2020 season. The Whitecaps have been busy with their season ticket drive and positive results in the last two weeks could help to restore faith among a restless fan base.
“It’s not about players,” Dos Santos said. “There’s no audition, there’s us, giving our best to get results, and points as much as we can. I don’t think anyone cheated in any of the games, and that’s what we have to keep doing.”