The Vancouver Whitecaps and Minnesota United FC will battle on the pitch for the first time when the two sides meet Saturday at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
And there’s plenty at stake as MLS heads toward the second half of its schedule. The Whitecaps (6-6-2, 20 points) sit sixth in the Western Conference, three points ahead of ninth-place Minnesota (5-9-2, 17 points) with two games in hand.
But the Loons, who began play in the MLS this season, have been a different team at home. Minnesota has posted all five of its victories on its own pitch, including impressive wins over Sporting Kansas City, Orlando City SC and most recently a 3-2 victory over the Portland Timbers on Wednesday that snapped a three-match losing streak.