2020 MLS Regular Season – Week 24
Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs. LA Galaxy
Providence Park – Portland
November 8 – 6:30 PM ET
TV: TSN 1
STREAMING: MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US
LOCAL TV: Spectrum SportsNet
The Vancouver Whitecaps and LA Galaxy were hoping to enter Decision Day presented by AT&T with a chance to clinch a spot in the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs. Instead, they play for pride and hoping to end a disappointing season on a high note in their meeting Sunday at Providence Park.
The Whitecaps (8W-14L-0D) needed results to go their way in Week 23 to have a chance to play their way into the playoffs, but the San Jose Earthquakes win over LAFC officially eliminated them from postseason contention. That result also knocked the LA Galaxy (6W-11L-4D) out, though a 1-1 draw against the Sounders which ended moments after the final whistle in San Jose also would have done it.
- Playoff scenarios:How Decision Day could impact the playoff field
- What's at stake: Key races to watch for during Decision Day's 13 games
- Playoff schedule:Match schedule, dates, times and TV details
The teams are meeting for the third time this season, each winning once by the game’s only goal. In the last meeting, Kai Koreniuk scored in the 90th minute, giving the Galaxy the win Oct. 18 at Dignity Health Sports Park. On March 7 in Carson, Tosaint Ricketts scored to give Whitecaps FC the victory.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Although they officially were eliminated Wednesday night, the loss to the Galaxy on Oct. 18 was a crushing blow the Whitecaps never recovered from. Sure they followed with a 2-1 win over the Earthquakes, but consecutive defeats to the Sounders and Timbers followed.
There were plenty of positives this season for Marc dos Santos, who will want to end the year with a win.
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- OUT: Maxime Crépeau (GK) - fractured left thumb
- OUT: Thomas Hasal (GK) - undisclosed injury
- Suspended: Michael Baldisimo (M)
- Suspended after next caution: Lucas Cavallini (F)
- International duty: None
LA Galaxy
It's been a trying season for the Galaxy and star Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. But the club's big offseason signing, albeit momentarily, kept his club's improbable playoff hopes alive with a 77th-minute strike that gave the Galaxy a 1-0 lead over the Sounders. Although Raul Ruidiaz's equalizer ended LA's postseason aspirations, Chicharito's goal took the weight off the Mexican legend's shoulders after a "pretty bad season."
“I had two injuries in a period of four months, and I haven’t had those kinds of injuries in my whole career. I’m not that player that’s known to have injuries,” Chicharito said after the match. “And it was probably too late for this season, yes, and I’m sorry and I take responsibility on my side, and taking that responsibility I know that I want to give everything next season and in these two games as you can see.”
- Updated team roster
- Injury Report:
- QUESTIONABLE: Danilo Acosta (M) - ACL injury
- QUESTIONABLE: Jonathan Dos Santos (M) - left calf strain
- Suspended: None
- Suspended after next caution: Nick DePuy (D)
- International duty: None
Series Matchup at Whitecaps
- Whitecaps: 3 wins, 13 goals
- Galaxy: 3 wins, 14 goals
- 4 draws
Officials
- Referee: Joseph Dickerson
- Assistant Referees: Jeremy Hanson, Jeremy Kieso
- 4th Official: Ismir Pekmic
- VAR: Jorge Gonzalez
