Most of the chatter around the first round of the MLS Cup Playoffs has been in direct opposition to the best-of-three format, but with four elimination games this weekend it’s tough to say it isn’t yielding plenty of excitement.
Round 1 ends this weekend with four Game 3s beginning with Friday night’s matchup between LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps (10:30 p.m. ET, Apple TV). As the reigning Western Conference winners, the Black and Gold host the win-or-go-home matchup inside BMO Stadium in Los Angeles in front of what is sure to be a rowdy home crowd.
To get here, both squads successfully defended home turf in Games 1 and 2. LAFC took the lead in the 30th minute of the first leg thanks to a controversial handball inside the box by Vancouver defender Tristan Blackmon which resulted in a Denis Bouanga penalty shot. Cristian Olivera doubled LAFC’s lead in the 57th minute off an assist from Mateusz Bogusz. Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld, who led the team in scoring this season with 15, continued his hot streak with a stoppage-time goal, though it was too little too late.
In the second leg on Sunday, LAFC gave up two own goals after Gauld scored the opener off a deflection directly in front of the goal. LAFC were unable to answer after Gauld’s 10th-minute strike, and left BC Place with a 3-0 loss.
The winner of Friday’s match will face the Seattle Sounders, who advanced after two straight wins over the Houston Dynamo, in the single elimination conference semifinals.
Follow the match below with our live blog featuring updates, highlights and commentary.
Live7 updates
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20′
Still scoreless after 20 minutes with Vancouver leading the possession battle (59%). BMO Stadium still hasn’t filled up, but the energy coming from the crowd is electric.
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8′
Denis Bouanga takes his first shot of the night, but it hits the side-netting. The 29-year-old Frenchman finished second in scoring during the regular season with 20 goals (same as Messi) and has scored once so far in the postseason.
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LAFC vs. Whitecaps is underway
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Rams legend in the house at BMO Stadium
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LAFC’s starting 11
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Whitecaps lineup
How to watch LAFC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps
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Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
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Location: BMO Stadium | Los Angeles
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Streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
