The Vancouver Whitecaps face a tough test against the Philadelphia Union in their next match as they look to climb to the top of the Western Conference.

The Whitecaps are currently third in the West, seven points behind leaders San Diego FC, but have played two fewer matches than both teams above them.

This game could also prove to be crucial for the Supporters' Shield title. The Union are currently on 57 points, like San Diego, and are five points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference after their 1-0 win over second-place FC Cincinnati last time out.

Whitecaps defender Edier Ocampo believes the team are prepared to face the Union, while their confidence will be further boosted when players return from international duty.

"We are looking to perform in the best way possible," said Ocampo.

"We are working on our strengths and a couple of other things we can get better at.

"Of course, we want to win this game. It is a big game, we know that.

"We have been working here over the last couple of weeks, and now we are just waiting for international players to get back to give us that little extra grain of salt, and hopefully we can get a result on Saturday."

The Whitecaps recovered from 2-1 down to beat St. Louis City SC 3-2 in their last match.

Thomas Muller scored the winning goal for Vancouver in the 14th minute of second-half stoppage time, the latest match-winning goal in MLS history.

Ocampo praised Muller for the impact he has had on his team-mates, calling it a "blessing" to play alongside the 2014 World Cup winner.

"For everyone in the dressing room, and the fans, he's an idol," Ocampo added.

"He's an example to follow. I have watched him since I was a kid, and to share the training pitch every day with him is a blessing.

"It is amazing for me, and you can obviously learn so many things from him. He is such a professional, the way he trains, the way he carries himself.

"So I'm super happy to live this with him and have him as part of the team."

Philadelphia have lost just one of their last eight MLS matches, and have won their last two outings without conceding a goal.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

The Whitecaps have been led from the front by Brian White this season, with the 29-year-old scoring 14 goals in 19 MLS matches.

White has scored in each of his last four games in all competitions, and has found the back of the net five times in his previous seven Whitecaps games.

Philadelphia Union – Tai Baribo

Tai Baribo is the joint-fourth top scorer in MLS in 2025, scoring 16 times for the Union this season.

He also carried on his goal-scoring form during the international break, scoring in Israel's win over Moldova.

MATCH PREDICTION – DRAW

The Whitecaps are looking for their first set of consecutive league wins since late April-early May, a pair of wins that capped off a stretch of eight wins in their first 11 matches of the season.

It is likely to be a low-scoring affair, with the Union only conceding seven goals over their last 11 regular-season away matches, not allowing more than one in any match. Their 11-game run of road matches holding opponents under two goals is tied for the second-longest single-season streak in MLS history (FC Dallas – 12 straight in 2010).

Philadelphia have also won 13 of their last 21 regular-season matches dating back to the middle of April (five draws, three losses), including five wins in their last eight. The Union's 44 points are the most in MLS over that time.

This will be the first meeting between Vancouver and Philadelphia since a 1-1 draw at BC Place on April 27, 2019, a span of 2331 days. Philadelphia's last win against the Whitecaps was a 3-2 road victory in June 2016.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 40.4%

Draw – 26.6%

Philadelphia Union 32.9%