Whitecaps seek momentum in Montreal despite clinching top seed

VANCOUVER · The Vancouver Whitecaps have secured first place in Major League Soccer's Western Conference but say they are not easing up ahead of their final regular season game against CF Montreal on Saturday. The Whitecaps, with a record of 18 wins, eight losses and seven draws, have clinched home field advantage against any Western opponent in the playoffs. Striker Brian White said the team is focused on winning in Montreal to maintain momentum. "We're out to get three points. I think that's the way we look at it," White said. "Obviously, they don't have much to play for at this moment, so you don't know how they're going to come out. But we have everything to play for, and we're going to go out with the best intention to win that game."

Montreal has endured a difficult season, sitting last in the Eastern Conference with a 6-19-8 record and missing the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Whitecaps defender Ralph Priso cautioned that Montreal should not be underestimated. "I think any time Canadian teams are playing against each other, it's always something you get excited for," said the Canadian centre back. "So, just because they don't have really anything left to play for, I think there will be a lot of guys just playing to show themselves, to show that they're at the level that they can contribute to good teams, and so it'll be a difficult game."

Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen echoed that sentiment, noting Montreal's success in the Canadian Championship this year. The club defeated Vancouver 3-2 on aggregate in a two-game semifinal series before losing to Forge FC in the final. "Even though they have not had the best results (in MLS), they have some good players that could make a difference against us in that game," Sorensen said. Vancouver's lineup may be missing some key players for the finale, as Sorensen said he does not expect defensive midfielder Andres Cubas or forward Emmanuel Sabbi to travel to Quebec. However, superstar attacking midfielder Thomas Muller could return "if he's ready to go."

READ MORE: Whitecaps aim to finish strong in Montreal despite playoff seeding secured

READ MORE: Crew defeat D.C. United 3-0, tightening playoff race for Toronto FC

Sorensen said the team is balancing short-term and long-term goals. "We'll of course have one eye on the short game, and also one eye a little bit on the longer term," the coach said. "But it's also important that we keep competitiveness and the good performances we have had as of late, then we keep that going." White is expected to play and has a chance to improve his standing in the MLS Golden Boot race. With three goals in Vancouver's last two games, he now has 20 on the season, the third-most in the league behind Inter Miami's Lionel Messi (26) and Petar Musa of FC Dallas (22).

White said he has focused on maintaining good habits throughout the season's fluctuations. "Obviously, stretches can happen where the ball isn't falling back into the back of the net, maybe you don't take the chances the right way. And it's easy for things to go sideways from there," he said. "But I try to remember the fundamentals. Focus on hold-up play. Can I stay active in the box? Can I create chances? Can I help the team defensively? So focusing on that and helping the team win is first and foremost." Priso said the entire team is focused on winning Saturday, regardless of individual schedules.

Priso's own schedule is busy, as he was named to Canada's roster for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinals. After the match in Montreal, he will fly to Guatemala to join the national squad ahead of Canada's game there on Nov. 13. He said managing club and country commitments is straightforward at this crucial time of year. "I don't think it's too difficult to manage when kind of every immediate thing is so important," Priso said. "Maybe at other points in the year you can kind of look over games, but I think we're in a part of the year and a part of the national team kind of schedule that everything that's coming is so important, and so it's easy to stay focused on the next thing." The Whitecaps previously stated their aim to finish the regular season strong despite having their playoff seeding secured.

With files from The Canadian Press, Toronto Star and Sportsnet