Los Angeles FC v Vancouver Whitecaps: Hosts excited to be back after Club World Cup exit

Los Angeles FC players are excited to be back in MLS action following their Club World Cup campaign.

LAFC finished bottom of Group D after losing to Chelsea and ES Tunis and finishing with a 1-1 draw with Brazilian side Flamengo.

Three MLS sides entered the competition, but only Inter Miami qualified for the knockout rounds. The Seattle Sounders finished last in Group B after losing all three of their matches.

LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said the players and staff are looking excited to return to domestic action after the Club World Cup, having not played in MLS since June 9 – a 3-1 win over Sporting Kansas City.

“It [Club World Cup] was a great experience and we’re very happy and grateful that we got the chance to prove ourselves on that stage,” Cherundolo said.

“Twelve days, five hotels, three road games. I think we all feel the travel a little bit and the challenges that we met with over the last two weeks, but after watching training, it was great to see the players physically and mentally in a great spot. So I’m looking forward to the game Sunday and moving forward.”

LAFC Co-President and GM John Thorrington added: “I could see today the guys are really excited to be home, as am I.

“It almost feels like the first day of preseason. I’m sure guys’ bodies don’t necessarily feel that way, but I think we’re excited now with another big challenge coming on Sunday against a top team in Vancouver [Whitecaps].

“We’re focused now on making sure we make up some ground in the league.”

A night to play. A night to celebrate

https://t.co/F5MEunU3T0 pic.twitter.com/31dqnE0Isi

— LAFC (@LAFC) June 28, 2025

LAFC are in sixth place in the Western Conference, four places behind their next opponents, the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Nine points separate the two sides, but LAFC have played two fewer games due to their Club World Cup exploits.

The Whitecaps were dislodged from top spot in the West last weekend by a 3-1 defeat to San Diego FC and are looking to get back to winning ways after back-to-back losses.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Los Angeles FC – Denis Bouanga

Denis Bouanga continues to be LAFC’s vocal point in their attack. He has scored eight goals and registered four assists this season in MLS.

The Gabon forward scored LAFC’s only goal at the Club World Cup, ensuring they earned a point from the tournament.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Pedro Vite

With top-scorer Brian White still on international duty with the United States, Pedro Vite will look to be the leader for his team again.

He provided his second assist of the season in Vancouver’s 5-3 defeat to San Diego last time out, adding to his four goals this campaign.

MATCH PREDICTION – LOS ANGELES FC WIN

LAFC have scored multiple goals in nine straight regular-season matches. It is the longest streak of its kind in MLS since LAFC scored multiple goals in 10 straight in 2019.

Despite losing twice in the Club World Cup, LAFC are unbeaten in their last nine regular-season MLS matches (W4 D5).

In league matches on their travels this season, the Whitecaps have earned 15 points from 24 available.

Sunday’s match will be the 16th across all competitions between the Whitecaps and Los Angeles FC since the beginning of the 2022 season. No other fixture between MLS teams has more than 12 matches in that time.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Los Angeles FC – 40.7%

Draw – 26.7%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 32.6%