Match Preview: Biggest challenge yet for Sørensen

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For the first time in 119 days, the Vancouver Whitecaps finally have a home MLS game! Against who? Defending MLS Cup champions, LA Galaxy. This will be Head Coach Jesper Sørensens toughest challenge yet in his short tenure for the Whitecaps, and will need to best a weakened Galaxy side.

The Galaxy have had a rough start to the season losing 2-0 to new expansion team San Diego and ending their 20 game unbeaten streak at home, dating back to their last loss all the way in 2023s decision day in with a crushing defeat from Dallas 4-1. The galaxy are predicted to have a heavy falloff in 2025, and the cracks are showing already.

These problems can be traced back to the lack of signings and multiple departures in the off season. For starters, Riqui Puig, the star boy and catalyst of the team suffered an ACL tear during the Galaxy’s 1-0 western conference championship victory over the Seattle Sounders meaning he would therefore miss MLS Cup and a huge chunk of the season. To make things worse, Joseph Paintsil, one of LA’s quality attackers, suffered a hamstring injury in pre season and will be out until at least April. In the off season, the Galaxy said goodbye to star striker Dejan Jovelijc after a breakout season, selling him to SKC where he will take a DP slot. However, all hope is not lost as Christian Ramirez joined the Galaxy from the Columbus Crew. Ramirez was a key player to the Crew’s 2023 MLS cup victory and has been one of their best players in the last two seasons. However, Ramirez often will go into a slump after a few great seasons, seen in the 22/23 season where he had injury woes and only got 5 G/A compared to 18 the season prior, or when after scoring 74 goals for Minnesota through five seasons, Christian would go on a heavy slump not scoring more than 7 goals within 5 seasons for both LAFC and the Houston Dynamo respectively.

With these misfortunes and lack of major signings, and already having won the 2024 MLS Cup, this seems rather like a hangover season for the Galaxy, where they will patiently rebuild and come back stronger once again.

The Whitecaps will come to BC Place with confidence after two great wins in the last week, smashing rivals Portland Timbers away from home and coming back down 2-1 on aggregate against Saprissa and winning 2-0 to advance in the Concacaf Champions Cup. Jesper Sørensen will look to make this his third win in a row, Zoe thing that Vanni Sartini was never able to do for the ‘Caps.

INJURY REPORT

As previously mentioned, two of the Galaxy’s’ attacking stars, Riqui Puig and Joseph Painstil are both injured, as well as key Right Back Miki Yamane. Yamane is only questionable for now, suffering a thigh injury not too long ago. However, youngsters Matheus Nascimento, the 20 year old on loan from Brazilian side Botafogo, and Mauricio Cuevas, a 22 year old depth option, both have slight injuries and out for the match. Cuevas suffered a hamstring injury while Nascimento was cursed with a thigh injury. Both are expected to be out for the until the end of March.

OUT

Mauricio Cuevas - Hamstring injury (Late Mar. 2025)

Matheus Nascimento - Thigh injury (Late Mar. 2025)

Joseph Painstil - Hip injury (Late Mar. 2025)

Riqui Puig - ACL Tear (Aug. 2025)

QUESTIONABLE

Miki Yamane - Thigh injury (Late. Mar 2025)

The Vancouver Whitecaps have been fortunate enough with a lack of injuries as of late, with only two squad members injured for the home opener. Unfortunately, one of those just had to be new singing and hopefully replacement of Fafa Picault, Emmanuel Sabbi. Sabbi suffered an ankle injury earlier in February during training, and although the rumoured time out was 6-8 weeks, this was corrected officially by Alex Schuster who gave a 3-4 week notice for the American winger. Nonetheless, he will be out for this game. Bjørne Inge Utvik had a mixed first season for the Whitecaps in 2024, with some solid performances and some really poor. Utvik suffered a muscle injury just this Saturday and will be out against the Galaxy. Utvik is more seen as a depth piece to come off the bench, so this won’t make too much a dent on Jesper’s plans. Although he may want to rotate the squad as Vancouvers men will play 8 games in the 24 days.

OUT

Emmanuel Sabbi - Ankle injury (Late. Mar 2025)

Bjørne Inge Utvik - Muscle injury (Late. Mar 2025)

PREDICTED LINEUP

Seeing as how Vancouver has kept the 4-4-3 formation for their last two games, as well as no significant injuries leading to needed changes, I have no doubts Sørensen will keep this formation, maybe replacing Jayden Nelson for Ali Ahmed due to squad rotation.

The Galaxy’s lone game this season kicked off with a 4-2-3-1 leading to a disappointing loss against San Diego FC. The game was rather close, the score line overshadowing the actual performance itself. However, with Yamane out I would assume he would either be replaced by Aude or the Galaxy may try to experiment with a back 3.

Vancouver will want to control the midfield battle as in LA’s last game, they opted for a dual pivot of Edwin Cerillo and a young, inexperienced Lucas Sanabria. Although Cerillo was a strong player in ash years conquest, questions will be asked about both his and Sanabrias ability to withstand the pressure of Andres Cubas, Pedro Vite and Ryan Gauld. Marco Reus has had a rough start to the Galaxy, disappointing as he was hyped up to be a superstar in MLS, coming off a decade of greatness for German giants Borussia Dortmund. Sørensen loves to dominate possession, and Vancouver will look to exploit the cracks seeping in the Galaxy’s centre and dominate midfield.

I’m going for a 2-0 win as I think we can overpower this weakened Galaxy side, frustrating them into fouls and drawing them out with possession based attacks.