Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen acknowledged his team have not been at their best in recent weeks, but is doing everything he can to get them back on track.

The Western Conference leaders are without a win in their last three games across all competitions, drawing all three of those matches.

Vancouver's latest stalemate came against Valour FC in the first leg of the 2025 Canadian Championship quarter-finals, but they return to MLS actions this weekend.

The Whitecaps make the trip to America First Field to take on Real Salt Lake, and Sorensen stressed the importance of correcting certain areas within his team.

"There is always concern when you are a coach, but it is also something that you have to address before you see it happen if you can," Sorensen said.

"We have also addressed the players that we have maybe not been at our best for the last couple of games. It is normal when you play away because it's a different game.

"Of course, we would like to perform at our best every time, but we know that is not possible. A couple of things we have highlighted to the players that we have to improve right now before it is too late to correct."

Real Salt Lake have also endured a difficult run of late, failing to win in their last four MLS games. Their latest match saw them lose 1-0 to the Colorado Rapids. 

But a shining light in not only this run but Salt Lake's season as a whole has been Diego Luna, who has seven goals in 13 league appearances this term.

And his displays have been rewarded with a call-up to the USMNT's squad for their friendlies against Turkey and Switzerland before the CONCACAF Gold Cup in June.

In his last appearance for the national team, Luna sustained a broken nose against Costa Rica before being substituted at half-time, and Salt Lake head coach Pablo Mastroeni believes his inclusion in the squad is what the United States have been lacking in recent years.

"He will run through a wall to play soccer," Mastroeni, who has coached Luna since 2022, told FOX Sports.

"I think that toughness, and that grit, and the ability to overcome and persevere.

"I think it's a void that the national team is looking to fill, and I think with Diego Luna, you're always going to get a dog."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Real Salt Lake – Diego Luna 

Luna completed a career-high six dribbles against Colorado on Saturday, the most by a Real Salt Lake player in a match this season.

He had completed only seven dribbles all season before that match and will be looking to make a similar impact against the Western Conference leaders.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

Despite not getting on the scoresheet in their goalless draw with Austin, White has enjoyed a fine start to the season, netting 13 goals in 18 appearances across all competitions.

The American also has an impressive record against RSL, notching four goal involvements (three goals, one assist) in the 11 games he has played against them.

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Real Salt Lake have lost only two of 16 all-time home matches against the Whitecaps (W10 D4). They have also won three of the last four meetings, with Vancouver's only road point against RSL in that time coming in a 1-1 draw in 2022.

But RSL suffered their eighth loss of the season in a 1-0 defeat to Colorado. This is the fourth time in club history that they have lost eight of their first 14 matches of a campaign and the first since 2017.

Vancouver, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their first six away matches of the season (W3 D3) for the first time in club history. Only three teams in the post-shootout era (since 2000) have avoided defeat in their first seven away matches of a season (Philadelphia Union in 2024, Portland Timbers in 2013 and the Chicago Fire in 2009).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Real Salt Lake – 32.7%

Draw – 25.5%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 41.8%