Cascadia Cup Clash Highlights MLS Saturday Schedule
There will be implications in both the Cascadia Cup and the Western Conference standings when the Seattle Sounders host the Vancouver Whitecaps.
This is the first of two games these Pacific Northwest Rivals will play over the next month. Both sides are also hoping to collect three points on Saturday night, albeit for different reasons.
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Betting Odds & Betting Lines
According to BetUS, the Sounders are sizable favorites at home with the odds of -155 compared to Vancouver’s odds of +450. The draw is priced at +290. Bovada has pretty similar betting odds, with Sounders being priced at -125 to win, while Vancouver are +370 to take the W. Bovada has the draw at +255.
As for those interested in totals betting, the match comes with a total goal over/under of 2.5 goals.
Playoff Chase
Seattle heads into the weekend sitting atop the Western Conference standings with 54 points. However, they are just two points ahead of second-place Kansas City and six points ahead of third-place Colorado, so the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs is far from guaranteed. The winner of the conference also qualifies for CONCACAF Champions League, so the Sounders will be motivated to keep hanging onto first place.
Meanwhile, the Whitecaps find themselves one point out of a playoff spot heading into the weekend. The silver lining is that Vancouver has a game in hand compared to most of the teams in the Western Conference. In fact, a win could send the eight-place Whitecaps as high as fifth place.
Warm the Ice Caps
While they are still chasing a playoff spot, the Whitecaps are heating up at the right time of year. Vancouver is fresh off a 3-0 win over San Jose last weekend, giving the Caps just one loss in their last 15 matches. Most importantly, the Vancouver backline has kept a clean sheet in three consecutive matches.
At the same time, the Whitecaps are still searching for some consistency in the attacking third of the field. Brian White saved the day last weekend with a hat trick, making him the team leader in goals this year. However, it’s been more than a month since Cristian Dajome, who is second on the team in both goals and assists, has put his name on the score sheet, which is concerning for Vancouver’s attack.
The Sound of Dominance
Since getting knocked out of the Leagues Cup last month, the Sounders have been able to regain their dominant form. Seattle has won three straight matches, including games against Kansas City and Colorado, the two teams chasing them atop the Western Conference standings. The Sounders have outscored their opponents 8-2 during those three matches, as they continue to have the best defensive record in MLS.
The caveat is that Seattle will be missing several key players on Saturday because of the international break. American international Cristian Roldan will be absent after playing a key role in all three goals in last week’s 3-0 win over Colorado. Raul Ruidiaz, the team’s leading scorer, will also miss Saturday’s match, putting a huge hole in Seattle’s potent attack.
Time to Strike
With several of Seattle’s key players set to miss this game, this is a golden opportunity for Vancouver. The Whitecaps have been in good form lately, especially on the defensive end, and have been able to take points from virtually every game over the last three months. Even though the Caps are heavy underdogs on the road, they have a ton of value against a short-handed Seattle team.
In addition to betting on the Whitecaps to win, the under on 2.5 goals is also a good bet. As mentioned, Vancouver has kept three straight clean sheets while Seattle has allowed the fewest goals in MLS this year. Plus, with Ruidiaz and Roldan out, the Sounders will be lacking firepower, making a low-scoring game more likely.
