The MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Final is set.
This coming Saturday, November 29, San Diego FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC will face off at Snapdragon Stadium (6 p.m. PT live on Apple TV, 730 CKNW and CKNW.com). The winner will move on to MLS Cup the following Saturday, December 6.
Two great teams that both finished on 63 points. So what separates them?
Let's dig into some stats.
San Diego FC were one of the best road teams in MLS history, tying the record with 37 points away from home (2024 Inter Miami CF, 1998 LA Galaxy).
At home, they have not been as dominant. Their 7W-5L-5D regular season record and 26 points at home was 18th among all MLS teams. Their 1.53 points-per-game at home was below the league average of 1.56, as were their goals-per-game 1.47 to the league average 1.64.
However, they have turned that around in the MLS Cup Playoffs, going 3W-0L-0D in their three home matches against Portland and Minnesota, outscoring them 7-1 in the process (2-1, 4-0, 1-0).
When it comes to the 'Caps, they finished the regular season tied for the fourth best away record in MLS, losing only four of their 17 road matches at 8W-4L-5D with 29 points.
When these teams met at Snapdragon Stadium during the regular season on July 19, the match ended 1-1.
Whitecaps FC continued their scoring contributions by committe approach last weekend, as goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka became only the third goalkeeper in MLS history to record a primary assist in the MLS Cup Playoffs (Kristijan Kahlina 2023, Jorge Campos 1996).
Takaoka also became the 29th Whitecaps FC player with a goal or assist this year across all competitions. He was essentially the only new player who could be added to that list, as every single outfield player with a minimum of 10 minutes played has a goal or assist for Vancouver this season across all competitions.
As for San Diego, they have had 16 different goalscorers across all competitions, and 22 different players with a goal or assist. It's worth noting that second-leading scorer Milan Iloski, who had 10 goals (four against the 'Caps) is no longer on the squad.
The main man for the home team? That would be Anders Dreyer, who contributed to an absurd 59% of San Diego's goals during the regular season. 38 goal contributions in 34 regular season matches (19 goals, 19 assists). In any season, in any league without a player named Lionel Messi, that would easily garner you the MVP Award.
And he hasn't slowed down in the MLS Cup Playoffs, adding another four goals and two assists in four matches.
Well, the 'Caps unblemished records when scoring first and leading at halftime were tested more than ever in the last round against LAFC, but they remain intact.
Including playoffs, Whitecaps FC have scored first in MLS play 20 times this season, and 20 times they have gotten a result, now officially 16W-0L-4D when scoring first (the shootout victory officially gets recorded as a draw after 90 minutes of play). Vancouver are also still unbeaten in MLS play when holding a lead at halftime with a record of 13W-0L-3D.
Jesper Sørensen's team has conceded five equalizing goals when leading all MLS season, while scoring 12 equalizers themselves. They have defended a lead 79% of the time (19/24), and have managed to equalize themselves 63% of the time (12/19).
As you might expect from another strong team, SDFC's record when scoring first is similarly strong at 16W-1-1D, including the playoffs. When conceding first, they are only 6W-8L-3D. Like the 'Caps, a halftime lead has led to victory, going 10W-0L-1D. They have defended a lead 79% of the time (22/28), and have managed to equalize themselves 61% of the time (14/23).
Two teams that are tough to beat when scoring first, but also two resilient squads who know how to fight back.
Just like last week against LAFC, it appears both Whitecaps FC and San Diego FC get stronger as each half goes on.
The 'Caps scored twice in the final 15 minutes of the first half against LAFC to go up 2-0, and LAFC scored in the final 15 minutes of regulation (deep into stoppage time) as Son equalized 2-2 to send it to extra time.
Will these 15-minute periods now be what decided the Western Conference Final?
Time Period | VAN Goals | SDFC Goals |
0-15 | 7 | 4 |
16-30 | 11 | 11 |
31-45 | 17 | 15 |
46-60 | 10 | 13 |
61-75 | 10 | 9 |
76-90 | 16 | 21 |
There are interesting storylines for either team, should they advance to MLS Cup on December 6.
19 FIFA World Cup winners have played in MLS, but so far none have lifted MLS Cup. Conquering North America has become the final frontier of global superstardom, not seen since the days of Pele and Franz Beckenbauer in the old NASL. In the MLS era, the likes of Thierry Henry, Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, David Villa, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and others have all come up short.
Should the 'Caps win the Western Conference Final, Thomas Müller will have the chance to become the first FIFA World Cup winner to win MLS Cup. Of course on the other side of the bracket, Lionel Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Rodrigo De Paul are also waiting for their chance.
FIFA World Cup winners in MLS
Branco
- Brazil: 1994 World Cup
- NY/NJ MetroStars: 1997
Lothar Matthäus
- West Germany: 1990 World Cup
- NY/NJ MetroStars: 2000
Youri Djorkaeff
- France: 1998 World Cup
- New York Red Bulls: 2005-06
Denílson
- Brazil: 2002 World Cup
- FC Dallas: 2007
Thierry Henry
- France: 1998 World Cup
- New York Red Bulls: 2010-14
Alessandro Nesta
- Italy: 2006 World Cup
- Montréal Impact: 2012-13
Kléberson
- Brazil: 2002 World Cup
- Philadelphia Union: 2013
Andrea Pirlo
- Italy: 2006 World Cup
- New York City FC: 2015-17
David Villa
- Spain: 2010 World Cup
- New York City FC: 2015-18
Kaká
- Brazil: 2002 World Cup
- Orlando City SC: 2015-17
Bastian Schweinsteiger
- Germany: 2014 World Cup
- Chicago Fire FC: 2017-19
Blaise Matuidi
- France: 2018 World Cup
- Inter Miami CF: 2020-21
Thiago Almada
- Argentina: 2022 World Cup
- Atlanta United: 2022-Present
Lionel Messi
- Argentina: 2022 World Cup
- Inter Miami CF: 2022-Present
Sergio Busquets
- Spain: 2010 World Cup
- Inter Miami CF: 2022-Present
Hugo Lloris
- France: 2018 World Cup
- LAFC: 2024-Present
Olivier Giroud
- France: 2018 World Cup
- LAFC: 2024-25
Rodrigo de Paul
- Argentina: 2022 World Cup
- Inter Miami CF: 2025-Present
Thomas Müller
- Germany: 2014 World Cup
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC: 2025-Present
At the other end of the field, only one expansion team has ever won MLS Cup. That was Chicago Fire in 1998, a much different era for MLS with 12 teams. San Diego FC are trying to become the first team to do so in the modern era, now with 30 teams.
