Major League Soccer's Playoffs begin on Wednesday with 10 teams searching for the title-deciding MLS Cup in the knockout phase of the North American season.
Defending champions L.A. Galaxy, featuring former England midfielder David Beckham, take part in the single-game knockout 'play in' round of the competition, aiming for a spot in the Western Conference semi-finals.
The Galaxy only finished fourth in the Western Conference and so must defeat fifth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps, who became the first Canadian team to reach the MLS post-season after pipping national rivals Toronto and Montreal.
"I think they've got a lot of character as a team, a few good players as well and they've got a lot of unity," said Beckham of the Whitecaps, who are in just their second season in MLS.
"When we've played them in the past they've shown it is difficult to break them down and win the game. There will be many obstacles, especially with it being a one-off playoff game. It's going to be difficult," he added.
Should the Galaxy get through they will face the top team in the Western Conference regular season -- the San Jose Earthquakes, who possess the league's top scorer Chris Wondolowski whose 27 goals matched MLS's all-time record.
The other 'play in' features the Chicago Fire against the Houston Dynamo, winners in 2006 and 2007, with the victor in that tie facing Sporting Kansas City.
Defending champions L.A. Galaxy, featuring former England midfielder David Beckham, take part in the single-game knockout 'play in' round of the competition, aiming for a spot in the Western Conference semi-finals.
The Galaxy only finished fourth in the Western Conference and so must defeat fifth-placed Vancouver Whitecaps, who became the first Canadian team to reach the MLS post-season after pipping national rivals Toronto and Montreal.
"I think they've got a lot of character as a team, a few good players as well and they've got a lot of unity," said Beckham of the Whitecaps, who are in just their second season in MLS.
"When we've played them in the past they've shown it is difficult to break them down and win the game. There will be many obstacles, especially with it being a one-off playoff game. It's going to be difficult," he added.
Should the Galaxy get through they will face the top team in the Western Conference regular season -- the San Jose Earthquakes, who possess the league's top scorer Chris Wondolowski whose 27 goals matched MLS's all-time record.
The other 'play in' features the Chicago Fire against the Houston Dynamo, winners in 2006 and 2007, with the victor in that tie facing Sporting Kansas City.