VANCOUVER, B.C. – Since clinching their place in the 2015 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs a few weeks ago, the Vancouver Whitecaps have been limping along, with the goals drying up and injuries mounting.
The Whitecaps are winless in their last five MLS matches, but with the rest of the Western Conference busy beating each other, Vancouver remain in a strong position as they head into the last week of the regular season.
If Vancouver can beat Houston at BC Place in #DecisionDay action on Sunday (7 pm ET; TSN2 in Canada; ESPN3, MLS LIVE in US) they will guarantee themselves at least a third-place finish and a much coveted home playoff game. They could finish anywhere as low as sixth with a draw or a defeat.
"We knew it was going to be this tight, but from second to sixth is a big swing," said goalkeeper David Ousted. "We're eying that second spot, but we need to do our part and get a win and see where we end up. We've been lucky with other results going our way, but we need to finish it ourselves."
Vancouver haven't played a MLS match since their 2-0 defeat in Dallas on Oct. 14. That made for an interesting week of scoreboard watching, where every result seemed to work out in the Whitecaps favor, revitalizing the club’s chances of finishing second in the West if they take care of business against Houston and LA fail to win in Kansas City.
Considering the Whitecaps’ recent injury woes, securing the extra recovery time that would come with the first-round bye that goes with a top-two seed would be huge for their playoff hopes.
"It would be a little bit more rest for some of these little nicks," said defender Jordan Harvey. "It would be home-field advantage, it would be getting into that next round of the playoffs. It's massive, it really is, and it's a huge opportunity.
"We are where we are because we deserve it, because we've taken opportunities, and we need to do that again Sunday."
The Whitecaps are making a habit of bringing last-day excitement to their fans.
Last season, it took Kendall Waston's 70th-minute header against Colorado to secure their place in the playoffs. Houston may already be out of postseason contention when they head into BC Place, but if Vancouver fans are expecting a more relaxed final day this year, Ousted warns there may be more nervous moments in store.
"There's a lot at stake on Sunday, and we'll be motivated," the Dane said. "But it's also not falling into the other category and being too hyped up, too focused on getting that win.
"Going through that game with calmness in our mind and knowing what we need to do because it won't help us if we just go gung-ho and try and kill this Houston team in the first 10 minutes. I don't think they'll go down that easy."
While their recent form may have been poor, Vancouver were given a massive boost this week. Attacking midfielders Nicolas Mezquida, Mauro Rosales and Cristian Techera all returned to training, looking sharp after their recent injury woes.
Could the 'Caps injury crisis have turned a crucial corner at just the right time? It's certainly looking a lot more positive than even a few days ago, and the Whitecaps are hoping it will finally allow them to hit the postseason in better form.
"Down the stretch, I wouldn't say we were falling apart, but we got nicks here and there," Harvey said. "Guys are recovering, and at this stage of the season that's huge. Mauro [Rosales] was flying today. He took back the clock, man. He looks like he's in his 20s.
"We're looking good right now. We just need to bring this energy into this last game, and I know it's just one game, but try and build a little bit of momentum going into the playoffs."
