Seattle Sounders Vs Vancouver Whitecaps: 3 things to watch for – Must-win Cascadia clash

Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Seattle Sounders, Vancouver Whitecaps (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
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REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 15: Jake Nerwinski #28 of Vancouver Whitecaps and Russell Teibert #31 look on after being defeated by the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 15, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
REUNION, FLORIDA – JULY 15: Jake Nerwinski #28 of Vancouver Whitecaps and Russell Teibert #31 look on after being defeated by the San Jose Earthquakes 4-3 in the MLS is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex on July 15, 2020 in Reunion, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)

2. What is the Whitecaps’ mentality?

There are very few games in MLS history that stun both the winners and losers. And yet, the Vancouver Whitecaps’ 4-3 collapse to the San Jose Earthquakes fits the bill.

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Holding a 3-1 lead with over 30 minutes remaining, it seemed certain that the ‘Caps would prevail. But, as has been one of the major themes of this tournament, no lead is safe, and San Jose, who pressed and pressed and deserved more from their earlier efforts than just one goal, eventually made their domination count.

Vancouver will at least feel positive about their goalscoring prospects, something that was problematic last year. Even with a host of stars not traveling to the tournament and after only scored 37 last season, the second-worst in all of MLS, they scored three against a San Jose team that held Seattle to zero a few days prior.

The Whitecaps’ mentality will be challenged here. The Earthquakes defeat was utterly gut-wrenching and leaves them with ground to make up. Even with Ali Adnan and Cristian Dajome in form after scoring, can they now respond?