VANCOUVER, B.C.—Some teams would be staggering after two rivalry routs in a single week.
The Vancouver Whitecaps say they're not one of those teams. Following back-to-back 3-0 losses to the Seattle Sounders – one in league play to cede the Cascadia Cup and the other ending their CONCACAF Champions League run – Vancouver insist they remain confident, and on the verge of a special season.
"The loss was obviously disappointing, but now we can put all our focus on the regular season these last few games and really go for it," said left back Jordan Harvey. "We have a great opportunity to finish in the top two and potentially win the Supporters' Shield if we really bear down and refocus. [We] understand that we have a lot – a lot, to play for."
Vancouver are already on course for their best-ever finish in the Western Conference. Having clinched a playoff berth in both 2012 and 2014 (finishing fifth each season), the target for 2015 was the Top 4, which would ensure a first-ever home playoff game.
That was then. With the Supporters' Shield now in their sights, aspirations have ascended.
Five games from the finish, the Whitecaps hold a one-point lead over FC Dallas and LA Galaxy in the West. It's a position they've occupied many times this year, and they’ve rarely fallen farther than No. 2. Anything below that, and the accompanying first-round bye, would now seem something of a letdown.
"Yeah, definitely it would feel a little bit disappointing," said winger Kekuta Manneh. "I feel we've put a lot of work in it the last couple of months. We stick together as a team, and you can see we're playing as a team. We've put a lot of work in, so it would be disappointing not to finish in the top two."
Said Harvey: "With this roster, with the way we've been playing this year, it's well within our grasp. Man, I would definitely be disappointed. Put it as that. Period.
"But being at home this Saturday, we have a huge opportunity to bump up in the West."
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That motivator is driving the team to bounce back from their Seattle defeats Saturday, when they play host to New York City FC at BC Place (10 pm ET; TSN1 in Canada, MLS Live in US).
Yet goalkeeper David Ousted proved relatively reserved, viewing the overall push as a "process" and expressing confidence that Vancouver can succeed in the playoffs – however they get there.
"Obviously, we want to go as high as possible," Ousted said. "But you're setting up an outcome goal there to say if we don't come into a top two, it's going to be a disappointing season. I'll trade you this: We'll come in sixth and we'll win the MLS Cup."
