Vancouver Whitecaps vs LAFC live online: score, stats and updates | MLS Cup Playoffs

Chance! Vancouver

First sight of goal for Brian White and it comes from a long ball over the top. 

He pounced on the loose ball, 12 yards from goal, but he takes the ball wide and lashes his shot over the crossbar. 

Huge boos for LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau as he takes a touch. Crepeau played for three years with Vancouver before moving to LAFC. 

There's a bit of over-eagerness from Mario Gonzalez who clips Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka in his attempt to press the ball. 

Free kick for the hosts, Gonzalez is given a talking to by the referee. 

It looks like Vancouver danger man Ritchie Laryea will start on the left-wing tonight, putting him up against LAFC right back Ryan Hollingshead. 

That could be a key battle as this Game progresses. 

It's a front-foot start from the hosts, who are being roared on by a club-record home attendance. Vancouver are playing with an intensity from the off. 

And we're off!

Vancouver get us underway in this must-win playoff clash...

The players are out on the pitch at BC Place and the atmosphere inside is really something now. 

Vancouver know that they need a win to keep their playoff journey alive. Kick-off coming very shortly...

Two MLS sharp-shooters go head-to-head

If Vancouver Whitecaps are going to wrestle their way back into this tie they will likely need a big performance from top scorer Brian White, who has been in imposing form this season. He has scored a league-high eight headed goals this season in MLS and will look to unsettled the LAFC backline from the start. 

For the visitors, Denis Bouanga is one of the most dangerous attacking players in the league and he could prove decision when Vancouver push forward. 

The first goal will be crucial tonight. 

LAFC's Ryan Hollingshead speaks ahead of kick-off

On their set piece strength: "Being able to attack with the guys that we have in the box, it's hard to mark all of us."

On the Vancouver Whitecaps atmosphere: "We're used to playing in front of big crowds so we have to just play our Game.. Honestly, the louder the are the more it fuels us so we'll be ready for whatever comes our way. 

MLS

LAFC credit set piece coach for Vancouver Whitecaps victory

The first game between these two sides finished with a fairly comfortable 5-2 win for LAFC on home turf. Unusually for a team better known for fluid attacking play, four of LAFC's teams came from set pieces against Vancouver. 

After the first game LAFC head coach revealed that his assistant, Marc dos Santos, had been working on set pieces for the game and deserved the credit. 

"Marc is on top of set pieces all season long and we’ve worked with the guys,” Cherundolo said. 

Dos Santos was formerly head coach of Vancouver for two years and he seems to have his former side's number...

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And here's how Vancouver Whitecaps line up...

After a slight delay, we have the confirmed starting XI for Vancouver Whitecaps. Few surprises in the Whitecaps team but there is a change in midfield, where Ali Ahmed comes in to replace Alessandro Schopf. 

Why isn't Carlos Vela starting for LAFC?

We haven't yet heard from LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo about the decision to drop club captain Carlos Vela for tonight's game. The Mexican forward started in the previous fixture against Vancouver but Mario Gonzalez was preferred for tonight's game. 

Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera start either side of Gonzalez. Cherundolo may be hoping that the Spaniard's ability to hold up the ball will get the best of the two pacey widemen. 

MLS

New MLS playoff format raises question marks from players and fans

This year's MLS Cup Playoffs see the introduction of a best-of-three series in Round One, a controversial move that not everyone has been convinced by in the early game. After LAFC won their opener against Vancouver they can guarantee their place in the Conference Finals with a win tonight. 

Our very own Paul Reidy has everything you need to know about a new-look playoff structure in MLS...

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Mario Gonzalez starts for LAFC

There was a big surprise in the LAFC starting XI as Mario Gonzalez was named in Steve Cherundolo's team. This is the first time since September 20th that Gonzalez has started and there will be big pressure on the Spanish striker tonight. 

He is a more physical presence than Carlos Vela, who drops to the bench, and his introduction could provide a useful out-ball when Vancouver look to press up the pitch. 

We're still waiting for confirmation of the Vancouver Whitecaps team for tonight's game...

Here's the starting XI for LAFC...

Big surprise in the LAFC line-up as Mario Gonzalez starts up front in place of team captain Carlos Vela. In Vela's absence Ilie Sanchez will wear the captain's armband for the MLS Cup holders as they look to book passage to the Conference Finals. 

With an hour to go until kick-off, we should have team news from BC Place very shortly...

LAFC in the house

The Black and Gold have landed at BC Place ahead of this all-important MLS Cup Playoff clash. Co-owner Will Ferrell was out on the field with the team as they inspected the surface. 

MLS

Vela aims to follow in Beckham’s footsteps, eyes owning MLS team: “It’s in my plans”

LAFC captain Carlos Vela is looking to lead his team to a second successive MLS Cup triumph, becoming one of few captains to retain the title. Even at his advancing age Vela is still a big player for LAFC and has been a key part of Denis Bouanga's scoring success this season. 

Vela caughtup with AS USA recently to talk about his playoff ambitions, life in Los Angeles and his dreams of owning an MLS team of his own one day...

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LAFC co-owner Will Ferrell inspects the pitch

There's going to be some big names on show tonight and there are few bigger than that of Will Ferrell, co-owner of LAFC. Ferrell has become an increasingly visible presence at BMO Stadium and has joined the team on their trip north of the border for this playoff fixture. 

Whitecaps looking cool

There's big pressure on Vancouver Whitecaps tonight as they fight for their playoff lives against the reigning champions. Ahead of kick-off the Whitecaps team are looking at ease as they arrive at BC Place. 

With around an hour to go until kick-off at BC Place we should have team news very soon. 

There are no known injuries for either team and both coaches will play a full-strength line-up for this crucial playoff clash. 

One year since LAFC won MLS Cup

How time flies! It has been exactly one year since that astonishing 2022 MLS Cup final between LAFC and Philadelphia Union. The Union thought they had wrapped up the title until a last-gasp Gareth Bale header pushed the final to a penalty shootout, which LAFC won in incredible circumstances. 

In case you've forgotten, here's how it went down...

Vancouver set for record attendance for must-win playoff clash

The pressure is on Vanni Sartini's side to get the win tonight to keep their post-season journey going. They were outplayed in the second half of their playoff opener against LAFC, but today they will have a record attendance at BC Place roaring them on. 

More than 29,000 tickets had been sold ahead of kick-off and the final crowd could easily top 30k. 

MLS

Vancouver vs LAFC: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | MLS

Looking for a way to watch or stream Vancouver Whitecaps vs LAFC in the MLS Cup Playoffs? We'll be bringing you full live coverage of the Game right here on AS USA, but you can also watch the action wherever you are in the world. 

Here's everything you need to know..

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LAFC see the sights of Vancouver

They're north of the border for their second match of the MLS Cup Playoffs and LAFC are making the most of the change of scenery. Steve Cherundolo's side come into the post-season as one of the big favourites and they are looking to become one of few teams to retain their title. 

Here's how the Black and Gold spent game day in Vancouver...

Hello and welcome to AS USA! I'm Will Gittins and I'll be bringing you full live coverage of LAFC's trip to Vancouver Whitecaps. 

LAFC began their MLS Cup defence with a comfortable 5-2 victory over Vancouver in the series opener. Steve Cherundolo's side can book their place in the Conference Finals with a victory tonight. 

Let's see if LAFC can finish the best-of-three series in their second Game...