
Whitecaps FC to Open Audi MLS Cup Playoffs at Sporting Kansas City
November 8, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - After an incredible turnaround, Vancouver Whitecaps FC will open their run in the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday, November 20 at Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT, live on TSN and AM730 radio.
Head-to-head, Whitecaps FC and Sporting KC split their two encounters this season. SKC took the first match at Children's Mercy Park with a 3-0 result on May 16, but the 'Caps returned the favour with a 2-1 victory at BC Place on October 17.
VIEW: 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs bracket
The winner of the match between third ranked Sporting KC versus sixth ranked Whitecaps FC will face the winner of the match between second ranked Seattle Sounders FC and seventh ranked Real Salt Lake. The Conference Semifinal for this matchup will be played on Sunday, November 28 at either 12 p.m. PT or 2:30 p.m. PT.
Conference Finals will then be played on December 4 and 5, with MLS Cup scheduled for December 11.
Due to border restrictions, the 'Caps spent the first four months of the season away from home, living in Utah and playing their first eight home matches at Real Salt Lake's Rio Tinto Stadium. On August 8, the team was in last place in the Western Conference with a record of 3W-7L-7D and 16 points at the halfway point of the season.
Since that point, the team lost only twice in the second half of the season. Dating back over the last 22 MLS matches, the 'Caps had a record of 10W-2L-10D for a total of 40 points - the best mark in the Western Conference, and second only to Supporters Shield winners New England Revolution.
The Blue & White head into the playoffs on a six-match unbeaten streak, going into their playoff battle as one of the toughest teams in the league to beat - home or away. The 'Caps have lost only once in their past 12 road matches, going 2W-1L-9D.
The 'Caps surged into the playoffs in big part due to their home support upon returning to BC Place. In their nine matches in Vancouver, the team had a league best .833 winning percentage at their home venue with a record of 7W-1L-1D, including a playoff clinching 1-1 draw against Seattle Sounders FC in front of 25,117 on Decision Day.
Whitecaps FC came from behind 12 times during the season, securing five wins and seven draws for 22 points - the most in the league. The team also went undefeated when scoring first, going 7W-0L-4D. When leading at halftime, they went 5W-0L-3D.
Under acting head coach Vanni Sartini, Whitecaps FC played to a 7W-2L-5D record in 14 matches.
For more information about the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, visit www.MLSsoccer.com.
Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
Round One (Six Games)
(The No. 1 Eastern Conference seed and the No. 1 Western Conference seed will have a Round One bye. The No. 2 seed will host the No. 7 seed, the No. 3 seed will host the No. 6 seed, and the No. 4 seed will host the No. 5 seed)
Saturday, Nov. 20 Doubleheader
11:30 a.m. PT Philadelphia Union (2) vs. New York Red Bulls (7) (Univision / TUDN / local English-language broadcast / MLSsoccer.com / MLS App / TSN / TVA Sports)
2 p.m. PT Sporting Kansas City (3) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6) (UniMás / TUDN / local English-language broadcast / MLSsoccer.com / MLS App / TSN / TVA Sports)
Sunday, Nov. 21 Doubleheader
12 p.m. PT New York City FC (4) vs. Atlanta United (5) (ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
2:30 p.m. PT Portland Timbers (4) vs. Minnesota United FC (5) (ESPN / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Tuesday, Nov. 23
5 p.m. PT Nashville SC (3) vs. Orlando City SC (6) (FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
7:30 p.m. PT Seattle Sounders FC (2) vs. Real Salt Lake (7) (FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Conference Semifinals (Four Games)
(The No. 1 seed will play the winner of No. 4 vs. No. 5. The winner of No. 2 vs. No. 7 will play the winner of No. 3 vs. No. 6, with the higher-seeded club hosting)
Thursday, Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day)
1:30 p.m. PT Colorado Rapids (1) vs. Winner of Portland Timbers (4) vs. Minnesota United FC (5) (FOX / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Sunday, Nov. 28 Doubleheader
12 p.m. PT To be confirmed following Round One matches (ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
2:30 p.m. PT To be confirmed following Round One matches (ESPN / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Tuesday, Nov. 30
4:30 p.m. PT New England Revolution (1) vs. Winner of New York City FC (4) vs. Atlanta United (5) (FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Conference Finals (Two Games)
Saturday, Dec. 4
3:30 p.m. PT (FS1 / FOX Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
Sunday, Dec. 5
12 p.m. PT (ABC / ESPN Deportes / TSN / TVA Sports)
MLS Cup (One Game)
Saturday, Dec. 11
12 p.m. PT (ABC / UniMás / TUDN / TSN / TVA Sports)
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Major League Soccer Stories from November 8, 2021
- MLS Announces Match Schedule and Broadcast Details for the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs - MLS
- Whitecaps FC to Open Audi MLS Cup Playoffs at Sporting Kansas City - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- Orlando City to Open 2021 Postseason Play on Tuesday, November 23 at Nashville SC - Orlando City SC
- Sporting KC Playoff Match Set for November 20 - Sporting Kansas City
- Nashville Soccer Club Audi MLS Cup Playoff Match Tickets on Sale to the General Public Tomorrow - Nashville SC
- Minnesota United Open 2021 MLS Playoffs in Portland on Sunday November 21 - Minnesota United FC
- Philadelphia Union Home Playoff Match Set for November 20, 2:30 p.m. Et - Philadelphia Union
- Real Salt Lake to Begin Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs at Seattle Sounders on November 23 - Real Salt Lake
- Timbers Host Minnesota United FC on Sunday, November 21 in Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs - Portland Timbers
- Rapids Set to Host First-Ever Thanksgiving Day Playoff Match - Colorado Rapids
- Sounders FC to Face Real Salt Lake on Tuesday, November 23 in Round One of Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs - Seattle Sounders FC
- Red Bulls Draw Nashville SC, 1-1, on MLS Decision Day - New York Red Bulls
- Earthquakes Weekly Update: November 8, 2021 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Two Additional Sounders FC Players Called into International Duty - Seattle Sounders FC
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- A Historic Season in Review: the Rapids' 2021 Journey to a First-Seed Finish - Colorado Rapids
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- Leandro González Pirez Named to MLS Team of the Week - Inter Miami CF
- Lewis, Acosta, Fraser Earn Team of the Week Nod After Rapids Finish Atop Western Conference - Colorado Rapids
- Timbers Midfielder Sebastián Blanco Named to MLS Team of the Week for Week 35 - Portland Timbers
- Seven Philadelphia Union Players Receive International Call Ups - Philadelphia Union
- Kamal Miller, James Pantemis, Samuel Piette and Romell Quioto Called Up - Club de Foot Montreal
- Five Points: Golden Boy - New York City FC
- Competitive Drive and Work Ethic Has Propelled Khaled Ali to FIFA Success - Charlotte FC
- Chicago Fire FC Announce 2021 Roster Decisions - Chicago Fire FC
- Charlotte FC Sign Khaled Ali as Club's First-Ever eMLS Player - Charlotte FC
- Rapids Finish Atop the Western Conference, Earn Spot in 2022 Concacaf Champions League - Colorado Rapids
- LA Galaxy Battle Minnesota United FC to 3-3 Draw at Dignity Health Sports Park on Sunday Night - LA Galaxy
- Sporting Falls 1-0 to Real Salt Lake - Sporting Kansas City
- Weekly Sports League and Franchise Report - OSC Original by Dan Krieger
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