The number one club in the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, will be hosting the Eastern Conference's New York City FC (NYCFC) who are fighting to keep their playoff chances alive today, Saturday.
Vancouver is coming off a tough 3–0 loss to Seattle Sounders FC; so far, the club is showing inconsistency in recent Major League Soccer (MLS) matches.
In the Caps' past five league matches, they won only twice and lost three times, including the defeat to the Rave Green.
The leaders of the West are hoping they can return on the winning track when they play against NYCFC for the first time in the MLS and to build momentum heading to the playoffs.
Vancouver has 48 points to lead the West and tie New York Red Bulls in the Supporters' Shield standings.
A win over the Light Blues will give the Caps 51 points for the solo lead in the Supporters' Shield standings and will provide them enough cushion from FC Dallas who are the second placed club in the West with 47 points.
Meanwhile, NYCFC are trying to reach the playoffs in their first season in the MLS and are currently on the right path.
The Light Blues are on a two-match winning streak defeating Toronto FC (2–0) and the San Jose Earthquakes (3–2) in their previous MLS outings.
NYCFC are sitting on the eighth spot in the East with 34 points, five points behind the sixth placer Montreal Impact (39 points) who currently hold the last playoff spot.
A victory for NYCFC will not be moving them up the standings since they are also trailing seventh place Orlando City SC (38 points) by four points, but it will give them momentum as they continue their campaign for a playoff spot.
The first ever meeting between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and New York City FC will take place today, Sept. 26, at 10 p.m. EST. To watch via live stream, click here.
