Vancouver Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen never doubted his team would get back to their best form.

The Whitecaps have had an indifferent run as of late, as they have struggled with a long list of absentees.

They have lost four of their last six MLS matches, including a 5-3 defeat to San Diego FC in June.

San Diego represent Vancouver's next opponents, as first and second in the Western Conference go head-to-head.

However, after back-to-back 3-0 losses, Vancouver dispatched the Houston Dynamo in midweek to return to winning ways ahead of a crunch contest.

"It’s not about falling, it’s about how you get up," said Sorensen.

"Over the course of the season we will fall and stumble at times, but we have to get back up. I have not been worried or nervous because I’ve seen a team every day, working. We also have to recognise we have been in a very tough stretch – a lot of away games, a lot of players away with their national teams.

"It has broken our rhythm, and we have not really gotten back to our level yet, but everybody is trying to do their best and I think it’s very important that we stay connected.

"That’s up to me, as a coach, all the time to make sure that players have structure. It’s not when things go well that you need a good structure – it’s when things are tough that you need something else to lean on that’s not just your individual skillset. You need to lean on your team-mates and your structure.

"You are not a different player from one week to the next, but whatever happens affects you and your confidence – these players have done well early on and they can do it again. But all of a sudden also you can just lose confidence and wins can give you a bit of that back. Start trusting a bit more, that’s so important."

San Diego have lost two of their last three games, and went down 1-0 to Toronto FC on Wednesday, meaning only a point separates them from Vancouver ahead of Saturday's clash.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

San Diego - Hirving Lozano

Lozano has made a big impact for San Diego this season, scoring six MLS goals and providing a further six assists.

He came on from the bench against Toronto in midweek, but in such a big game, expect the former Napoli winger to start, and have a big say.

Vancouver Whitecaps - Brian White

White finished with a goal and an assist against Houston, and now has 43 MLS goals (including playoffs) over the last three seasons.

Only Los Angeles FC's Denis Bouanga (51) has scored more in MLS since the beginning of 2023.

MATCH PREDICTION: SAN DIEGO WIN

San Diego are looking to become just the second expansion team to defeat the Whitecaps twice in their inaugural season, after the Portland Timbers in 2011.

The 1-0 loss to Toronto in midweek snapped a run of six consecutive matches with multiple goals for San Diego. They have been shut out in four matches this season, but never in consecutive games.

Vancouver’s 3-0 win at Houston, meanwhile, was the Whitecaps’ fourth win by at least three goals in MLS play in 2025.

That is tied for the most such wins in a single MLS season in club history (also 2015).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

San Diego - 42%

Vancouver Whitecaps - 31.3%

Draw - 26.7%