Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Our MLS prediction and preview are in

A week after facing the top team in the Western Conference, Austin FC finds itself in an eerily similar situation. And a more difficult one.

After its best performance of the year in a 2-0 dismantling of the Los Angeles Galaxy at Q2 Stadium, the Verde & Black take to the road to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Though Vancouver is technically third in the West with 17 points, it has the highest points per game in the conference, having played one fewer match than the Galaxy and Real Salt Lake, who have 18 points. It also is tied for best goal differential at plus-8 with the Galaxy.

Here’s what you need to know about the matchup at BC Place as Austin FC looks to continue its recent hot streak, which has seen it win four of its last five games:

Dani Pereira is out, but not because of injury

The Verde & Black will be short-handed.

Austin FC coach Josh Wolff noted in his weekly media availability that defensive midfielder Dani Pereira will miss the game with a “passport situation” that doesn’t allow him to enter Canada. Pereira returned to his native Venezuela this week to remedy the situation so he can travel to Canada — and other places with the Venezuelan national team — if the Verde & Black have to return there for the playoffs in the fall.

It’s not an ideal situation for Austin FC. Pereira has been in fine form this season, but if there’s a place the club has plenty of depth, it’s defensive midfielder. Expect Jhojan Valencia to start, with Owen Wolff being the option to come off the bench if needed.

Defense to be key again for El Tree

This will be a battle between two of the better defenses in the West, with the Whitecaps having allowed only 10 goals this season. Austin FC has yielded 13 but has recorded two straight shutouts and has given up just one goal in the past three games.

As has been noted in this space several times, the backline of Guilherme Biro, Julio Cascante, Brendan Hines-Ike and Jon Gallagher has mostly been excellent, and it will need another good performance Saturday if Austin FC is to get a result. Vancouver forward Brian White has scored in five of the past six games and will be a player for the defense to keep track of, though Josh Wolff said his success is helped by the Whitecaps’ other personnel.

“They bring six guys in their attack, and he’s an end product because of the good movements they create,” the coach said. “We have to try and take those away as best as possible while also being aware of where Brian White is. … You can’t just focus on one player.”

More: Austin FC and Q2 Stadium to reportedly host the 2025 MLS all-star game

Canada woes: Austin FC has struggled north of border

Austin FC has never taken a point in BC Place and is only 1-4-1 in its history vs. Vancouver.

MLS road trips in general are difficult, but with the game at 9:30 p.m. Austin time, the Verde & Black have a late start to deal with in addition to their longest road trip of the season. While it might seem obvious, Wolff noted that it just comes down to playing well to have success on the road no matter the length of trip.

“You have to start the game well, and when chances come on the road it’s important to take those opportunities,” he said. “… When you go on the road you have to be mindful you can’t always do the things you want from the get-go like you do at home, because there is the emotion there and the traveling effect and being in the opposition’s arena.”

Is Rodolfo Borrell MLS’ Billy Beane?

With the unveiling of MLS club roster and contract profiles — which didn’t include salary numbers, as those will be released later in the month — by the league this week, it seems Austin FC’s offseason might be even better than initially thought.

Forward Diego Rubio, winger Jáder Obrian and center back Brendan Hines-Ike have all been stellar and are consistent starters, but all three were brought in essentially under “prove it” contracts with one year guaranteed.

Austin FC has club options on all three players for 2025, which at this point will all be exercised, especially with all three probably making less than $400,000. The club’s fourth offseason signing, backup goalkeeper Stefan Cleveland, is locked up through 2025 with a club option for 2026.

Beane, who became famous for his “moneyball” approach to building the MLB’s Oakland A’s in the late 1990s and early 2000s, focused on maximizing production in a cost-effective way, and that’s what it appears Austin FC sporting director Rodolfo Borrell did this winter.

In other notable news from the profile, Austin FC has two international spots to use for signings, with The Athletic’s Tom Bogert previously reporting that current Toulouse right back Mikkel Desler will join the club this summer. The club also has control of Owen Wolff through 2027, Pereira through 2025, and both Damian Las and CJ Fodrey through 2027.

This will also be the last year that striker Moussa Djitte — who is on loan in Europe but still technically under the club's control — is on Austin FC’s books.

Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC prediction

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1, Austin FC 0: This will be one of Austin FC's toughest road matches of the year from a travel and opposition standpoint. Pereira missing the match doesn't help, and if the Verde & Black can take a point from the match with a draw, that should be considered a success.

Saturday’s match

Austin FC (4-3-3, 15 points) vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5-2-2, 17 points), 9:30 p.m., BC Place, Apple TV, 97.5, 104.3 (Spanish)

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin FC vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Our MLS prediction is in