VANvPHI: Two of MLS' frontrunners set for enticing cross-conference clash at BC Place

VANCOUVER, BC – 27 matches down, seven to go.

It's the business end of the season for Vancouver Whitecaps FC and after a two-week break from MLS action, they're set to return to regular season play this weekend.

• Tickets remain available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets, while premium options are also available by contacting premium@whitecapsfc.com

The 'Caps will be looking to clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs for the third consecutive season, which would mark the first time the club has accomplished the feat, as they host Eastern Conference side and Supporters' Shield leaders Philadelphia Union at BC Place this Saturday, September 13. With more than 24,000 tickets sold for BC Soccer’s Youth & Family Match presented by RE/MAX, limited tickets remain for what's sure to be an enticing cross-conference clash between two of the league's frontrunners.

• Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT - WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, TSN, LISTEN: 730 CKNW, 101.3 HD3, CKNW.com. Limited tickets are still available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

It's a match-up that bears plenty of similarities and note-worthy comparisons in a year that's seen the two teams surprise plenty of critics with their styles of play as well as the personnel at their disposal. Maybe it's because both sides decided to have their preseason camps in the gleeming sun of Marbella, Spain earlier this year. Jokes aside, the teams enter Saturday's clash coming off wins in their previous league matches, with the 'Caps earning a come-from-behind 3-2 victory over St. Louis CITY SC and the Union claiming a notable 1-0 road win against FC Cincinnati.

As mentioned, Philadelphia sits as the Supporters' Shield leaders entering Matchday 33 action with a 17W-6L-6D record (57 points), while the 'Caps find themselves third in the Western Conference – and seventh in the Supporters' Shield standings – with a 14W-6L-7D record (49 points). The Shield is awarded to the team with the most points accumulated during the regular season. Both teams are also at or near the top of points per game this season, with the Union leading the way with 1.97, while the ‘Caps sit fourth with 1.81 and are only four points away from equalling their best-ever MLS regular season point total. All of this year's plaudits and performances come after Vancouver finished eighth in the West in 2024, while Philadelphia didn't even make the playoffs with their 12th-placed finish in the East.

Despite vastly improving on their finishes from last season, it's not like the success of each team this year has found its magical touch over night. Both teams share a consistent core that's carried through their rosters over the last several years, with Brian White, Ryan Gauld, Ranko Veselinović, Tristan Blackmon, Yohei Takaoka, Andrés Cubas, and Sebastian Berhalter just some of the few to name on the 'Caps side while Philadelphia have had the likes of Andre Blake, Jakob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, Quinn Sullivan, Mikael Uhre, and Alejandro Bedoya leading the way.

In the cases of Berhalter and Sullivan, both of whom are young talents at 24 and 21 respectively, the pair have risen to become difference-makers for their teams this year. Berhalter is tied for second on the 'Caps for goal contributions across all competitions this season with 13 (five goals, eight assists), which is a career-high, while Sullivan has tallied two goals and 10 assists this year. In fact, their performances have earned them call-ups to the United States' men's national team under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Add in a mix of young domestic talent, internationals, and academy products to each side's core and you have, in this case, what's a pretty good receipe for success in MLS. Canadian international Jayden Nelson (two goals, nine assists), WFC2 product and Canadian international Ali Ahmed (one goal, six assists), Colombian youth international Édier Ocampo (two goals, three assists), 2025 MLS SuperDraft selection Tate Johnson (one goal, two assists), and homegrown Surrey, BC native Jeevan Badwal (one goal, two assists) are just some of the young talent Vancouver boast in their squad.

On Philadelphia's side, homegrown Francis Westfield (one goal, four assists), Serbian youth international Jovan Lukic (three goals, three assists), Haitian international Danley Jean Jacques (four goals, three assists), South African defender Olwethy Makhanya (who is suspended for Saturday's match) and Uruguayan forward Bruno Damiani (six goals, two assists) form part of the new crop of talent they've incorporated into their first team this season.

All of the roster construction isn't possible without each team's sporting directors, both of whom happen to come from German background and entered the league at a similar time. The Union's Ernst Tanner made the move to MLS in October 2018 following several years of technical experience with TSV 1860 Munich, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Red Bull Salzburg, while Whitecaps FC CEO and sporting director Axel Schuster arrived in November 2019 after two decades working in Germany with Bundesliga clubs 1. FSV Mainz 05 and FC Schalke 04.

The two executives both entered into a coaching search heading into 2025, with former St. Louis head coach Bradley Carnell taking the reigns in Philly and, of course, Jesper Sørensen arriving in Vancouver from Denmark's Brøndby IF. And as results show, Tanner and Schuster will both feel justified with their selections. Another added storyline for Saturday's match focuses on Carnell, as his final match at the helm of St. Louis came in Vancouver last year when the Blue and White secured a thrilling 4-3 victory behind a Brian White hat-trick.

Last but not least, it wouldn't be a clash against 'The City of Brotherly Love' without some legitimate 'Brotherly Love' between the teams. It's the Pierre derby, with 'Caps forward Nelson Pierre set to face his former team for the first time and his brother Neil Pierre. The two have starred in MLS NEXT Pro for their club's respective affiliates. Nelson sits fourth in the league in goals scored with 13 and has three assists to his, while defender Neil has started all 18 of his appearances this season, adding two goals.

There's plenty of talking points, bragging rights, and standings implications on the line this Saturday at BC Place, where the 'Caps have posted an impressive 11W-2L-5D record across all competitions. A win would see them etch ever closer to breaking their MLS regular season points tally and clinch a berth in the 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs, which would mark the earliest Vancouver has booked their ticket to the postseason in their MLS era, overtaking the mark set last year on September 28 in match 30 of 34.