Itโs Vancouver Whitecaps game day today as they take on the NY Red Bulls at 4:30pm at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ.
https://www.twitter.com/WhitecapsFC/status/1784236068348567745
Coming into this game both teams are in very good form, with the โCaps winning three of their last five, and the Bulls being undefeated in their last five. The last time Vancouver played NY was in May of 2022, where, now Vancouver talisman, Brian White scored FOR the Red Bulls as the game ended in a 2-2 tie. He now has the opportunity to become the Whitecaps all time leading scorer in the MLS era against his former club.
The teams have played each other in the MLS twelve total times before tonight, six times in Vancouver and six times in New Jersey. Vancouver has outscored NY 18-15 in those twelve matchups and the Whitecaps have won six of those, while the Red Bulls have only won twice, and the other four games have ended in a tie. Vancouver looks to continue their strong attacking style of play with the 3-4-3 formation, allowing them to have at least one extra attacker to put the pressure on the opposing team. The โCaps look to continue their strong run of away form as they are a perfect 3-0-0 when playing on the road this year. Their away form has been so good in fact, that they have the best point percentage from away games since July last year, (7W-3L-3D, 61.5%). They also have the second most points secured from away games in that span, only behind FC Cincinnati (7W-3L-4D) who played one other game. If the Whitecaps win their game tonight, they will have the most points in that time frame.
๐ต ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ด#VWFC will attempt to become only the second team in @MLS history to win their first four road matches โ๏ธ#RBNYvVAN | @SaritaReports pic.twitter.com/SGXQXY8zo4
— X – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) April 27, 2024
On top of the Whitecapsโ fine attacking display this season, their defence has also been on top of their game. The recent win for Vancouver against Seattle marked their third shutout of the season, placing them in a tie for the second-highest number of clean sheets in the league. Additionally, they boast the third-lowest expected goals conceded (xG) at 8.7, with the Red Bulls leading with 7.8. Yohei Takaoka has been instrumental in the ‘Caps defensive strength, leading the league in clean sheets and wins, while also ranking fourth-lowest in goals conceded per 90 minutes.
With LA Galaxy losing to Austin FC earlier today, the Whitecaps can jump into sole possession of first place in the Western Conference with a win over the Red Bulls tonight. They also still have a game in hand, highlighting how good their season has been this year.