VANCOUVER, B.C. - It all comes down to the final MLS regular season fixture, which will determine if Vancouver Whitecaps FC or Portland Timbers FC claim top spot in the western conference. To earn a first round playoff bye, Vancouver needs a win or a draw at Providence Park on Sunday afternoon. Timbers FC will need to beat Vancouver if they are to leapfrog the Caps into penthouse position.
"Everybody knows what kind of game this is going to be," said Jake Nerwinski. "It's going to have that playoff feel. Those fans are ridiculous, and I'm excited to go down there and get the three points, and win the conference in their home."
As confident as the Whitecaps FC rookie right-back is, Vancouver has often struggled playing away to Portland. It's by no means going to be a Sunday stroll in the park. Earlier this season the Caps lost 2-1 in Portland on April 22. The electric atmosphere at Providence Park has helped Timbers FC to a 10-2-4 record at home this season.
"It's one of those games that everyone wants to play," Kendall Waston said. "Nobody wants to stay away from that game. We know the importance of that game, because we want to stay in that first position. If we stay there, obviously we're going to finalize the second leg at home."
At 15-11-7, Whitecaps FC will have their third opportunity to lock down top spot in the west. They came up short in a 3-0 loss to New York Red Bulls on October 7. San Jose came into B.C. Place on Sunday and earned a 1-1 draw. Third time's going to have to be the charm as Vancouver has one last shot at securing first spot.
"To be honest, it'll be a playoff like game," Tim Parker said. "It's got playoff implications, but it will also be like a playoff game. Last year, we kind of kicked them out of the playoffs when we had them back here. I think obviously, they'll be going for revenge. They don't want us to take that top spot."
MLS 'Decision Day' could see Carl Robinson's team drop from first to third, potentially missing out on a playoff bye all together. Seattle Sounders FC will host Colorado at CenturyLink Field, and a Seattle win combined with a Portland win, would bump Whitecaps FC down to third in the conference.
It's something the Whitecaps FC 2017 BMO Player of the Year is well aware of.
"Correct, everybody knows that," Waston said. "We are just willing to win, that's our only mentality. Playing away, especially in Portland, a derby game, it's not easy, but those games are very nice to play in. It's like playing in a final. Those games are enjoyable to play."
Jake Nerwinski, who turned 23 years-old on Tuesday, will play in his first professional match in Portland. He played at Providence Park during pre-season, but this derby match is going to be whole new experience for the Lawrenceville, New Jersey native.
"Yeah, I think this is probably the biggest game in my career so far," Nerwinski admitted.
Vancouver (52 points), Portland (50 points), Seattle (50 points), and Sporting Kansas City (49 points), all have an opportunity to secure a playoff bye. The two teams that are able to win, and earn that desired spot will get some much-needed time off before the MLS western conference semi-finals. Extra rest before the playoffs is a good recipe for a potential long playoff run.
"I think a win would be big for confidence," Parker said. "Big for confidence and obviously from there, then we get some time off. We want to put ourselves in the best spot to succeed, and a win would do that."
The old cliché rings true to form. Whitecaps FC have an opportunity to control their own destiny. Big players step up in the crunch, and it's time for Whitecaps FC to rise to the occasion. A win or a draw earns a coveted first round bye, and it's up to the players now.
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