Preview: 'Caps host Western Conference Semifinal, set to face rivals LAFC in front of sold-out crowd at BC Place | Watch on MLS Season Pass

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VANCOUVER, BC – The road to the summit continues. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (MLS RS 18W-7L-9D, MLS PO 1W-0L-1D) are set to host rivals Los Angeles FC (MLS RS 17W-8L-9D, MLS PO 2W-0L-0D) in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals this Saturday, November 22 in front of a sold-out crowd of over 53,000 at BC Place. The 'Caps will be aiming to secure a spot in the Western Conference Final for the first time in their MLS era. Fans are expected to arrive early, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. PT and stadium doors opening at 4:30 p.m. PT. All fans attending Saturday's match will receive a limited edition VWFC MLS Cup Playoffs rally towel at their seat.

WEEKLY STORYLINES

ROUND WON: Vancouver Whitecaps FC progressed to the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals after completing a sweep of FC Dallas in the Round One, Best-of-3 Series. The 'Caps earned a dominant 3-0 victory in front of a record playoff crowd at BC Place in the first match of the series. Despite being down for much of the second match, Ralph Priso played hero in stoppage time as he bundled home his first 'Caps goal to tie the match at 1-1. Priso, who has filled in as a centre back in the latter stretch of the season, became the 24th different goalscorer across all competitions for Vancouver this year and helped set a record for the most goalscorers in an MLS season with 21. After the goal, the match went to a penalty shootout, with the Blue and White claiming a 4-2 win to progress to the next round. It was the 'Caps fifth win in seven penalty shootouts since 2022.

A RIVALRY RENEWED: The 'Caps are set to take on rivals LAFC in the Conference Semifinals. This is the third time the 'Caps have reached the MLS Cup Playoffs Western Conference Semifinal stage (2015, 2017), as they look to reach the Western Conference Final for the first time in club history. Speaking of history, there's plenty of it between the Blue and White and the Black and Gold that has built up over the last few years. In fact, Saturday will mark the 15th meeting between the two sides since April 2023. Those matches have featured some highs and lows for both teams, with the 'Caps securing a memorable 3-2 away victory in 2023, a penalty shootout win in Leagues Cup 2024, and a 3-0 playoff win last season at BC Place. This year was the first time Vancouver claimed the season series between the two sides, drawing 2-2 on Sunday Night Soccer back in May and then earning a 1-0 away win at BMO Stadium in June. LAFC has had the edge in the postseason, eliminating the 'Caps from the playoffs the last two years. Now, Vancouver will look for revenge in an effort to book their spot in the Western Conference Final for the first time.

MÜLLER V. SON: The upcoming match will add a new dynamic to what's grown to be a thrilling rivalry, as it'll mark the first time Thomas Müller and LAFC's Son Heung-Min face off in MLS since their summer arrivals. Both players have made immediate impacts for their new sides with their world-class abilities and pedigrees. Müller, who became the most decorated German player of all-time with the TELUS Canadian Championship triumph in October, has recorded nine goals as well as four assists in his opening 10 matches for the 'Caps. In addition to already winning a trophy, the Raumdeuter has already scored a hat-trick, earned MLS Player of the Matchday honours, and scored in his first MLS Cup Playoffs match, all while going on an eight-match goal contribution streak across all competitions, which is the longest such streak in Vancouver's MLS era. The upcoming match will mark the 13th meeting between Müller and Son across club and international competitions. Their most recent encounter took place on August 10, 2024, in a friendly between FC Bayern Munich and Tottenham Hotspur FC. The two have previously faced each other in the UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga, and the group stage of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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