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Son vs. Müller: LAFC seek turnaround against Vancouver Whitecaps
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- Son vs. Müller: LAFC seek turnaround against Vancouver Whitecaps
Son vs. Müller: LAFC seek turnaround against Vancouver Whitecaps
By Justin Ruderman
Son Heung-Min and LAFC aim to get back on track Saturday night when they host Thomas Müller and Western Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC .
How to watch & stream
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Apple TV
When
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Saturday, Oct. 10 | 10:30 pm ET/7:30 pm PT
Where
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BMO Stadium | Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles Football Club
Standings
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6th in Western Conference
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41 points (11W-9L-8D)
Last game
Missing multiple key players due to international duty, LAFC fell 1-0 at FC Dallas during the September/October FIFA window.
That setback extended the Black & Gold's slump to one win in 10 games, leading the club to part ways with head coach Marc Dos Santos.
Players to watch
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Son Heung-Min: The South Korean icon and former Premier League superstar is tied for the MLS lead with 13 assists this season, in addition to six goals.
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Denis Bouanga: One of only two players in league history to score 20+ goals in three consecutive seasons, the Gabon international (14g/8a) is chasing a fourth.
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Hugo Lloris: The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and ex-Tottenham Hotspur captain is tied for the MLS lead in clean sheets (12).
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Mathieu Choinière: Alongside fellow Canadian international Jacob Shaffelburg, Choinière featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup this summer.
Need to know
With LAFC drifting closer to the Wild Card spots than the top of the Western Conference, the perennial trophy contender recently moved on from head coach Marc Dos Santos.
Xavi Tamarit has taken over as interim head coach while the Black & Gold search for a permanent replacement.
In the meantime, Son, Bouanga and others will look to lead the club back to winning ways in a major test against the West's No. 1 team.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Standings
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1st in Western Conference
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50 points (15W-6L-5D)
Last game
Vancouver began a five-game road trip with a 3-1 loss at Chicago Fire FC .
Mathías Laborda nearly sparked a second-half comeback, but the Fire ultimately prevailed in the first MLS meeting between former Bayern Munich teammates Thomas Müller and Robert Lewandowski .
Players to watch
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Thomas Müller: The German legend recently inked a contract extension with Vancouver, committing his future to the Whitecaps through the 2027 Sprint Season.
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Brian White: Vancouver's all-time leading goalscorer is approaching a century of tallies for the club and is up to 17 goals this season.
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Andrés Cubas: The 2026 MLS All-Star was a key cog during Paraguay's historic run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16.
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Tristan Blackmon: The reigning MLS Defender of the Year forms a strong partnership with Mathías Laborda at the back.
Need to know
Vancouver are on the doorstep of becoming the West's first team bound for the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
They're 10 points back of Eastern Conference leaders Nashville SC , likely making the Supporters' Shield title out of reach.
But there's plenty for the 2025 MLS Cup runners-up, led by Müller, to chase in the months ahead.
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Little separates LAFC and Vancouver, with both clubs receiving a 38% chance of winning this rivalry showdown.
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Market insights shared are current as of Thursday, Oct. 8 at 9 am ET.
