The first Cascadia Cup match of 2019 features teams heading in opposite directions. The Seattle Sounders are on the verge of history both for a franchise-best start and to tie the MLS record for consecutive regular season wins. They are more than just ascendant, declaring to MLS that their second half in 2018 was a portent. The rebuild of 2016 is now complete and the Sounders are whole, healthy and greedy.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC are in another rebuild. This one saw them reach into the lower divisions for a coach. Marc Dos Santos put up a mighty record in previous stops.