Fresh off a tough test in the desert versus Didier Drogba and Phoenix Rising FC, Whitecaps FC 2 visit another MLS hopeful in Sacramento Republic FC on Saturday.
Sitting one point outside the playoff picture, WFC2 face the perennial Western Conference heavyweights, who have a slim one-point edge over the 'Caps in the standings.
Every match is important in the competitive West, where only four points separate fourth-place Reno 1868 FC with 12th-place Oklahoma City Energy FC, meaning a ‘Caps win could conceivably have them jump four teams and move them into a share of sixth in the conference.