A defiant Vanni Sartini believes Vancouver Whitecaps are heading in the right direction, however known as for extra confidence and braveness when St. Louis Metropolis go to in MLS.
The Whitecaps endured a disappointing two-game street stretch, culminating of their 2-0 defeat to Portland Timbers final trip.
That loss noticed Vancouver drop to ninth within the Western Convention standings, solely clinging onto the ultimate playoff spot by the use of a superior purpose distinction over Seattle Sounders.
Sartini acknowledged the frustrations of the final two showings, although suggests the Whitecaps can get again on the right track at BC Place.
“The issues are at all times there, even if you happen to win,” Sartini stated at pre-match media availability.
“It sounds very straightforward to say, however we simply have to be a bit higher. Meaning a whole lot of issues, nevertheless. Our efficiency hasn’t gone down dramatically.
“The effectivity of our performances has gone down dramatically, although. We have to be higher at ending our probabilities, and being mentally stronger.
MATCH REPORT | It was a fiery Pacific Northwest conflict at Windfall Park, as #VWFC suffered a primary Cascadia Cup defeat this season in a 2-0 loss to #RCTID #PORvVAN | #FIFTYTGTHR
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) June 23, 2024
“The final couple of video games earlier than the break, we had two robust psychological performances [in Kansas and Colorado]. Though we weren’t taking part in amazingly, we weren’t making errors.
“The final two video games away, we created extra probabilities than within the video games earlier than, however we have now been too straightforward to beat, we get a bit flat after we hit the primary bother of these matches.
“We have to be extra assured, brave and extra like: ‘let’s concentrate on the duty’. If we’re doing this, then the margin to make a whole lot of factors is shorter.”
Bradley Carnell’s guests are winless of their final eight home outings following a 1-1 draw with Atlanta United of their most up-to-date fixture.
St. Louis are simply three locations behind the Whitecaps, although, with this the prospect to strike a blow to their hosts’ playoff hopes.
Carnell should arrest a poor spell in entrance of purpose, nevertheless, as St. Louis have scored the second-fewest targets within the West this season (24).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld
Ryan Gauld has adopted up his 11-goal 2023 with 9 targets already this season.
With yet another purpose, Gauld will develop into the third Whitecaps participant with a number of 10-goal seasons (Camilo Sanvezzo, Brian White) and the primary to take action in consecutive campaigns.
The Gauldfather | Collectively We Dare: Episode 18 https://t.co/NxUqCuMasR#VWFC | #STLvVAN pic.twitter.com/D3mkdxtIEI
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) June 28, 2024
St. Louis Metropolis – Indiana Vassilev
Indiana Vassilev scored his fifth regular-season purpose for St. Louis on Saturday, turning into the sixth totally different participant to hit the mark for the membership in league play.
Solely three groups have extra gamers with 5 or extra regular-season targets than St. Louis since they joined the league in 2023 (Actual Salt Lake, Minnesota United, FC Cincinnati – seven every).
MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN
The Whitecaps are the probably favourites for a slender victory on this one, owing to St. Louis’ woeful away type.
Carnell’s facet have managed solely three wins in 26 video games on the street in all competitions (drawn eight, misplaced 15) since successful their first three away matches in membership historical past between February and March 2023.
But, will probably be not at all easy for Vancouver.
They’ve misplaced consecutive matches following the defeat to Portland on Saturday, however Vancouver haven’t suffered three straight defeats inside a single common season since August-September 2022.
There may be little to separate these two groups when it comes to the head-to-head file, with either side recording a house win in opposition to the opposite in two conferences between Vancouver and St. Louis Metropolis final season.
The hosts scored three targets in every sport, whereas Brian White scored in each outings for the Whitecaps.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Vancouver Whitecaps win – 51.1%
Draw – 24.8%
St. Louis Metropolis win – 24%
