VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps find themselves with a foot in a pair of parallel universes.
In one universe, a dark cloud hovers over the club as hopes of advancing to the Major League Soccer playoffs have all but wilted. Vancouver has mustered just one win against six losses in the last 11 matches.
In the other, things are bright as Vancouver has clinched a spot in the CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final playoffs. The Whitecaps hope to improve their second-round seeding with a win over Central FC of Trinidad and Tobago Wednesday night at BC Place Stadium.
The lineup the Whitecaps have put on the pitch may have varied, but veteran defender Jordan Harvey said the players have taken the same attitude into every game.
"We’ve approached the Champions League with quality," said Harvey. "We have put out very good lineups.
"There is no unimportant games. Every game we go into we are looking to win. Whether it’s Champions League or MLS, there is motivation for every game."
The CONCACAF Champions League is a 24-team competition between the top clubs from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Vancouver gained a berth in the tournament by winning last year’s Amway Canadian Championship.
Vancouver plays in Group C with Central FC and Sporting Kansas City of MLS. The teams play each other once at home and away. The group winner advances to the knockout stage, starting early next year.
The Whitecaps have secured first place in their group with a 3-0-0 record for nine points and a plus-five goal differential. Central FC is 0-1-1 for one point and a minus-one goal differential.
Vancouver defeated Central FC 1-0 back on Aug. 2 in a game at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago.
Whitecaps defender/midfielder Fraser Aird said it was a game that could have gone either way.
"They played very well," said the Toronto native. "We had a tough game. I thought for periods of the game they were maybe the better team.
"They are a good side. They are professional players. They are looking to get a good result. I don’t think they want to go out on a damper."
The Whitecaps want to finish among the top four teams after the group stage. That would allow them to play the second match of the two-game, second-round series at home.
The first determination for the seeding is points. The second is the goal differential.
Currently Arabe Unido, a team that plays in Panama’s top tier, and Pachuca, which plays in Mexico’s premier division, are also undefeated.
The Vancouver coaching staff have used the Champions League matches as a chance for some of the younger players to showcase their talents and earn a spot on the MLS roster. With the MLS season coming to a close, some players will be fighting for spots on next year’s club.
Assistant coach Martyn Pert said Aird and defender Brent Levis are two players who took advantage of their Champions League experience to earn MLS playing time.
"There will be players who are fresh and eager to impress," said Pert. "If you get a chance to play in front of a crowd it’s a much better gauge of your ability to perform in professional football than just in training."
While the Whitecaps hope for smooth sailing in the Champions League, their MLS season is on the rocks.
With just three regular-season matches remaining Vancouver is eighth in the MLS Western Conference with 35 points from a 9-14-8 record.
The Portland Timbers hold the sixth and final playoff spot with 41 points from a 11-12-8 record.
The Whitecaps host the Seattle Sounders Sunday at BC Place Stadium in a game they must win to keep their very slim playoff hopes alive.
"At this point we still have a glimmer of hope," said Harvey. "You have to keep playing.
"I have seen crazier things happen. We are professional soccer players. The motivation is providing for families, keeping your job."
