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Whitecaps desperate for win

If the Vancouver Whitecaps hope to pump some air into their deflating playoff hopes, they badly need a win Saturday night in a place where they have rarely won.

The Whitecaps (8-12-6) face the L.A. Galaxy (9-4-12) in a Major League Soccer match at the Stubhub Center where Vancouver is 1-7-0. During that stretch the Whitecaps have been outscored 15-2. The Galaxy also haven't lost at home this season having posted a 6-0-6 record while Vancouver is 3-9-1 on the road.

Head coach Carl Robinson is hoping Vancouver's 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in a CONCACAF Champions League match at BC Place Stadium Tuesday will give his team some confidence heading to Southern California.

"It's a massive challenge," said Robinson. "It's a coupon-buster for us. No one probably gives us a chance.

"We are going to go full of confidence after Tuesday. We firmly believe on the day we can beat anyone."

Centre back David Edgar said the Whitecaps might be flying under the Galaxy's radar.

"We are the underdogs now and it's almost a good place to be," he said. "It's about grinding out wins now. It doesn't matter how we do it, how pretty it looks.

"It's about being out there and grinding out wins."

With eight games remaining in the MLS schedule the Whitecaps are ninth in the Western Conference with 30 points. They are two points behind the Portland Timbers, who hold the sixth and final playoff spot. L.A. is fourth in the West with 39 points.

One player anxious to contribute to the playoff run is left back Brett Levis, who signed a MLS deal with Vancouver Tuesday.

The 23-year-old from Saskatoon travelled a twisting road to Vancouver. After playing for the University of Saskatchewan he jumped to the Premier Development League in Victoria, then to the Whitecaps' United Soccer League team.

"It's an incredible journey for the kid," said Robinson. "It's the next step for him. He deserves it.

"It's not a PR stunt. It's because the kid has been the best player in the USL all year."

Levis has faced adversity on his journey. His mother died of cancer when he was 14. Last year he had to battle back from a serious injury.

"This is everything I have been working for my entire life," he said. "This year I'm really focused on enjoying my soccer and not thinking about the business side of things or injuries.

"I'm just looking forward to playing at this level. If I continue to play well and I do get a starting spot, I will be happy."

The Whitecaps have lost four consecutive MLS games and are 2-5-3 in their last 10. They have scored just one goal in their five games while allowing eight.



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