Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders Picks and Predictions: Vancouver Has the Gaulden Ticket

Two teams quite familiar with one another will meet yet again on Saturday, as the latest episode of the Cascadia Cup sees the Vancouver Whitecaps do battle with the Seattle Sounders.

Vancouver currently sit second in their annual competition with Seattle and Portland, and a victory would see them move into the Cascadia Cup lead. More importantly, it would help solidify their hold on the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The Gold Cup has been unkind to Seattle, but they were able to end a six-match winless skid against Houston over the weekend. But their struggling offense needs to wake up if they want to keep from falling further behind St Louis City atop the table.

Will the Whitecaps get a third straight victory in this series, or can the Sounders get back to their winning ways? Find out in our Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders picks and predictions for Saturday, July 8. 

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders best odds

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders picks and predictions

Vancouver have had an inconsistent season, but one place they’ve been consistent is at home. They’ve suffered defeat just twice there, one of which came in the CONCACAF Champions League, and they’ve not lost in their last seven home fixtures.

A key reason for that home success has been the play of their front line. Brian White has scored seven goals this season, with winger Ryan Gauld contributing four of his own to go along with four assists. Behind their play, the Whitecaps have been held scoreless in just one of their 10 MLS fixtures so far this season, and their 21 goals scored at home in 10 matches are second-most among all Western Conference teams.

But White is likely going to miss the match on Saturday, as he did in the 3-0 loss at Sporting KC on Saturday. That defeat ended a four-match goalscoring run for Gauld, during which he also contributed three assists. But the entirety of the offense struggled against a Sporting KC side that has been solid defensively at home.

Now, the Whitecaps return home, where Gauld has either scored or assisted in four of his last five appearances. He will also be facing a Sounders team missing key players, and has kept just two away clean sheets through 10 matches this season. They’ve also conceded multiple goals in four of those outings, including two in the last head-to-head meeting in May. 

Gauld has had success against Seattle in the past, with goal involvements in three of the last five meetings. That includes assisting the opener last season in their 2-1 win in September. And you could argue that he should have four, as it was his powerful shot that hit the post and went off goalkeeper Stefan Frei for a Seattle own goal in their 2-0 win less than 10 weeks ago.

With White’s expected absence, it will be up to Gauld to create Vancouver’s opportunities on Saturday. Given his form, both recently and against the Sounders, I love getting him at +135 on FanDuel to either score or set up someone else’s goal. He attempted two shots and created three chances in the first meeting, and I expect a similar output here, giving him solid value for another goal involvement.   

My best bet: Ryan Gauld to score or assist (+135 at FanDuel)

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders side analysis

The 3-way MLS odds sees Vancouver favored to win at home, although their price has moved away from even money since opening on the news that White might not be available. They can be had at +120 to win, versus +240 for a Seattle victory or +250 for a share of the spoils.

Vancouver has evenly split their last six matches with a 2-2-2 record, but are nine unbeaten at home in league play. Midfielder Russel Teibert and defender Tristan Blackmon continue to be unavailable through injury, although both could return within the month. 

Seattle remain without forward Jordan Morris and midfielder Cristian Roldan through the USMNT’s Gold Cup squad, but defender Alex Roldan could return at right back now that El Salvador has been eliminated from the tournament. That said, defender Xavier Arreaga will continue to be out long-term after an injury two weeks ago. The Sounders have lost five of their 10 away matches this campaign versus just three wins, and have just one victory in their last six overall.

Vancouver has won the last two meetings between these sides, and are unbeaten in the last three meetings at home. I like that to continue with Seattle struggling for goals of late, especially without Morris and Roldan. Their goal against Houston came after the Dynamo had a man sent off, and was their only goal in three matches. 

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders Over/Under analysis

The Total of 2.5 is almost evenly split at most books, and I’m torn on which way I’d play it. Seattle can’t score goals right now, as we just discussed. Since Morris and Roldan departed, there have been a total of two goals scored in the ensuing three matches. But even before that, Seattle has seen five of their last six matches fail to see more than a single goal. 

As for the hosts, Vancouver’s last two matches have each hit the Over, as have four of their last six and seven of their last 10. At home, the Over has hit just four times, however, through 10 matches, and in none of the last two.

Vancouver defend well at home, conceding just nine goals through 10 matches and keeping four clean sheets. With Seattle struggling to score, and the Whitecaps missing a key piece to their attack, this feels more like a 1-0 or 1-1 scoreline for me. Take the Under in this spot. 

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders game info

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders key injuries

Vancouver Whitecaps: Brian White F (Doubtful), Tristan Blackmon D (Out), Russell Teibert M (Out).
Seattle Sounders: Jordan Morris F (Out), Cristian Roldan M (Out), Alex Roldan D (Questionable).

Vancouver Whitecaps vs Seattle Sounders weather

Saturday’s match at BC Place will see a zero percent chance of rain, and temperatures will be in the low 70s at kickoff. Winds will not play a role, with gusts topping out around 10 mph.

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