The Vancouver Whitecaps know onlookers have counted them out for weeks.
Losses to Nashville and San Jose and Colorado appeared to snuff out the clubB次元官网网址檚 playoff hopes last month.
Heading into the final game of the regular season, though, the B次元官网网址楥aps (12-14-7) are still alive B次元官网网址� a win on the on the road against Minnesota United (13-14-6) Sunday and they clinch a post-season berth.
B次元官网网址淲e worked hard to get to this point,B次元官网网址� said defender Jake Nerwinski. B次元官网网址淲e put ourselves in a great position, and now we get to go play free. And if we win, we know that we did everything we could. If we lose, you know, we did everything we could.B次元官网网址�
Making SundayB次元官网网址檚 game count hasnB次元官网网址檛 been easy. The B次元官网网址楥aps not only had to win three games in a row against opponents that beat them handily earlier in the season, but had to get a lot of help on the out-of-town scoreboard, too.
B次元官网网址淚t kind of seems like the stars are aligning a little bit,B次元官网网址� said striker Brian White. B次元官网网址淣ot to jinx it, because obviously itB次元官网网址檚 going to be a big test, a big challenge in Minnesota.B次元官网网址�
Nerwinski admitted that the stretch has been B次元官网网址渋mprobable.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 almost impossible and itB次元官网网址檚 something that we need to take advantage of,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淓verything went our way to get to this point. Now, hopefully, we can continue to make the most of it and make it worth it.B次元官网网址�
Finishing the job in Minnesota wonB次元官网网址檛 be easy.
While the Whitecaps need all three points from a victory to secure a post-season berth, United simply needs a draw.
The road has been a struggle for the B次元官网网址楥aps all season. The clubB次元官网网址檚 away record is a woeful 2-10-4, with the last win coming on June 18 when Vancouver blanked Dallas FC 2-0.
Recent wins against the L.A. Galaxy, Seattle Sounders and Austin FC show, though, that the Whitecaps have what it takes to complete the task, Nerwinski said.
B次元官网网址淲e have to play the same that weB次元官网网址檝e been playing the last three games,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淲e continue what weB次元官网网址檙e doing, weB次元官网网址檙e defending well, weB次元官网网址檙e attacking with speed and with purpose, weB次元官网网址檙e scoring goals. I think thatB次元官网网址檚 the key.B次元官网网址�
United already has a win over the B次元官网网址滳aps this season, taking a 3-1 victory at B.C. Place on July 8. The game saw Vancouver cough up a 1-0 lead late in the second half.
Playing all 90 minutes on Sunday will be crucial, said head coach Vanni Sartini.
B次元官网网址淚 think (the July 8) game, for 75 minutes we were the best team and we were up 1-0, deservedly so,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淏ut they have very high quality players up top and if you stop playing, if put your level of intensity and application tactically a little down, theyB次元官网网址檙e going to be dangerous.
B次元官网网址淪o we need to be even better than we were in the first 75 minutes at B.C. Place.B次元官网网址�
While Vancouver comes into SundayB次元官网网址檚 game on a three-game win streak, Minnesota is winless (0-5-1) in its last six outings.
The B次元官网网址楥aps have confidence after fighting their way back into playoff conversation, White said.
B次元官网网址淭he discussions we had in the locker room were about playing for pride, playing for wins, playing for everything we can to the last moment,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淎nd weB次元官网网址檝e clawed our way back.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e had fortunate results go our way, so weB次元官网网址檙e in a good position now where we win and weB次元官网网址檙e in. And I think everyoneB次元官网网址檚 really excited motivated going into the weekend.B次元官网网址�
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (12-14-7) AT MINNESOTA UNITED (13-14-6)
Sunday, Allianz Field
INS AND OUTS: The Whitecaps will be without defender Cristian Gutierrez (abductor) and winger Deiber Caicedo (season-ending knee surgery). Minnesota midfielder Kervin Arriaga will miss the game due to suspension for yellow card accumulation and United forward Bongokuhle Hlongwane is out with a knee injury.
HISTORY BOOKS: Minnesota holds a 4-3-3 all-time edge over Vancouver in MLS play. While United is unbeaten (2-0-2) in four home matches against Vancouver, neither side has defeated the other twice in a single season.
GOLDEN GAULD: Ryan Gauld has been clutch for the B次元官网网址楥aps offence recently. The 26-year-old Scottish attacking midfielder has factored into seven of the clubB次元官网网址檚 last 11 goals, scoring four and assisting on three others.
B次元官网网址擥emma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
