A loss to the Seattle Sounders aside, the Vancouver Whitecaps have quietly climbed to the top of the standings.
Vancouver finished outside of the Major League Soccer postseason last year, but thanks to three wins in four recent home matches they lead the Western Conference, a point ahead of the Sounders, Portland Timbers and Sporting Kansas City.
As far as they’re concerned, it’s good to be sneaking up on the unsuspecting opposition.
“For me that’s fine, it’s very good. We don’t need attention,” midfielder Aly Ghazal said. “We come from nowhere, don’t give us attention, just the other teams.