Vancouver Whitecaps were one of the strongest teams in the Western Conference last year, and it’s hard to see how that changes this term with how strong their squad is. The Whitecaps only lost three of their 17 home matches in the MLS last season, winning 10 of these games as they battled to the playoffs - finishing second in the Western Conference to San Diego, only on goal difference.
Vancouver then battled all the way to the final of the knockout tournament following the end of the league phase, losing to Inter Miami in the final.
Real Salt Lake didn’t pull up too many trees with their displays in the Western Conference last term, sneaking into the playoffs via goal difference on the final day of the league phase. They struggled against the Vancouver Whitecaps, losing both of the meetings between the sides last year.
Real Salt Lake’s away record was particularly poor in the MLS last season, they only managed to win three of their 17 away matches - with only three sides in the Western Conference having worse away records. I think they’ll struggle to find a way past a strong Vancouver backline, seeing as they only managed to score 15 goals across those 17 away games.
