Coming into the last group stage match of the MLS is Back Tournament, the Whitecaps knew exactly what they needed to do to have a chance at advancing. A win for Vancouver by a scoreline of 2-0 or greater would have done the job, with results elsewhere having lined up for that to be the case. Marc Dos Santos’ game plan was an interesting one to say the least, giving the first MLS starts to two players.
While many could call into question starting Jasser Khmiri after two middling and controversial performances in a ‘Caps shirt, the extra defensive support was put in place to provide adequate cover for Thomas Hasal, who took over Vancouver’s number one spot in the place of the injured Maxime Crepeau.