Vancouver Whitecaps manager Jesper Sorensen says his side’s squad depth will be tested when they visit Los Angeles FC in MLS without Thomas Muller.
The German forward picked up a hamstring injury during Tuesday’s 3-1 defeat by Chicago Fire. Sorensen did not disclose the severity of the injury or indicate how long Muller could be unavailable.
The timing is difficult for the Western Conference leaders, who are only three points clear of St. Louis City SC and FC Dallas in second and third respectively.
Vancouver have won two of their past six MLS matches, drawing one and losing three. They are also without a victory in their last two games, having drawn 3-3 with D.C. United before their defeat in Chicago.
However, Sorensen believes Vancouver have enough strength in reserve to cope with Muller’s absence.
“That’s why we have more than just 11 players,” he said.
“And you know what? This is also a situation where things are not just going our way, and that’s also a good challenge.
“That’s what you have to grow from. You cannot always have it your way and then believe you will get stronger.”
LAFC appoint interim boss after Dos Santos sacking
Los Angeles FC have undergone a change in management during the international break, with Marc Dos Santos dismissed after a run of one win in 10 regular-season matches dating back to the start of August. That sequence included five draws and four defeats.
The results have left LAFC sixth in the Western Conference, nine points behind Vancouver, and they are currently on a three-match winless run.
Xavi Tamarit has taken charge on an interim basis and is targeting progress during LAFC’s final six regular-season fixtures.
“First of all, I’m really happy to have this opportunity,” Tamarit told reporters. “I appreciate the club trusted [in] me and the players.
“What we want to improve is to give very simple but clear concepts in the tactical aspects and give clear roles for each player on the pitch to have a really clear idea and a really clear identity.”
Players to watch
Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga
Denis Bouanga has nine goals and seven assists in 15 appearances against Vancouver Whitecaps in all competitions, giving him 16 goal contributions against them – more than against any other MLS club.
Vancouver have restricted him to one goal and one assist across the past six meetings, which stretch back to November 2024.
Vancouver Whitecaps – Mathias Laborda
Mathias Laborda scored Vancouver’s only goal against Chicago Fire on Tuesday, taking his regular-season MLS total to 12.
Only one defender has scored more in league play since Laborda made his MLS debut in 2023: Anthony Markanich, with 18 goals.
Prediction: Los Angeles FC win
Vancouver are unbeaten in their past four meetings with LAFC in all competitions, winning one and drawing three. Their only victory in that sequence came at BMO Stadium, a 1-0 success in June 2025.
That was just the second of Vancouver’s 14 away wins against LAFC, alongside four draws and eight defeats.
The Whitecaps have won seven of their past 18 regular-season matches, drawing five and losing six, after beginning the campaign with eight victories in nine games, with one defeat. They have not suffered successive league defeats for more than a year, since losses to LA Galaxy and Colorado Rapids in July 2025.
LAFC’s eight points from their past 10 regular-season games match their lowest total across any 10-match spell in club history, also recorded between June and September 2023. Despite that record, Opta’s supercomputer favours the home side.
Opta win probability: Los Angeles FC 44.8%, draw 26.9%, Vancouver Whitecaps 28.3%.
