For the third straight season, LAFC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC will meet in the MLS Cup playoffs, but this year is a little bit different, with generational talents Thomas Müller and Son Heung-min headlining the draw.
Both teams advanced past the first round of the best-of-three series over the weekend, with the Whitecaps securing their berth on Saturday night with a penalty shootout win over FC Dallas after tying 1–1 through 90 minutes.
LAFC followed with a dominant performance on Sunday, beating Austin FC 4–1 in Game 2 and advancing past the first round of the postseason for the fourth straight season.
Son, who signed with LAFC for a record $26.2 million in August, scored a goal and an assist through the first round series, while Müller scored in Game 1 for the Whitecaps before slotting home his penalty in the series-clinching penalty shootout.
The two West Coast sides now meet in the Western Conference semifinal on Nov. 22, a one-match knockout for a spot in the Western Conference final, which would be the final match before the MLS Cup final on Dec. 6.
