Western Conference Semifinals: Whitecaps vs. LAFC, San Diego vs. Minnesota

In the Western Conference semifinals of the 2025 Major League Soccer Cup playoffs, the Vancouver Whitecaps will host Los Angeles FC at B.C. Place in Vancouver on Saturday night, while San Diego FC faces Minnesota United at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on Monday. These single-elimination matches, which could extend to extra time and penalties if tied after regulation, will determine the conference finalists vying for a spot in the MLS Cup final on December 6.

The Vancouver-Los Angeles matchup pits two perennial contenders against each other in a rematch that has defined recent playoff drama. Vancouver, who finished second in the Western Conference standings, advanced by sweeping FC Dallas in two games, including a penalty shootout victory in the opener. The Whitecaps, under coach Jesper Sørensen, have not reached this stage since 2017 and are seeking their first conference final appearance. They went unbeaten against Los Angeles during the regular season, drawing 2-2 at home in May and winning 1-0 in Los Angeles in June. Key additions Thomas Müller and Brian White have bolstered Vancouver's attack, with the team setting a league record for most different goalscorers in the...