Postseason games are often tight, private affairs where teams minimize risk as they prioritize trophies above all else.

However, that precedent could go out the window on Wednesday night when Vancouver Whitecaps FC take on the Portland Timbers at Providence Park in the Western Conference Wild Card match (10:30 p.m. ET | Apple TV – Free).

Led by the attacking trio of Jonathan Rodríguez (16g/7a), Evander (15g/19a) and Felipe Mora (14g/6a), Portland boasts one of the league’s most lethal and fearsome offenses, sometimes to the detriment of their defensive firmness. .

And yet head coach Phil Neville – who in a recent interview with MLSsoccer.com vowed to “live and die” by the club’s attacking ethos – reiterated that message at Tuesday’s matchday 1 press conference.

“I think there’s incredible excitement around the building, around the city, around the city. I think there’s been a real surge of energy since Saturday’s game,” Neville told reporters. “And we are really looking forward to the game. I think in situations like this you have to enjoy the opportunity, enjoy the moment – ​​that’s why you work all year, that’s why you make the sacrifices in what we do for moments like this, where you have to go and deliver.

“And I think it’s time for us to deliver.”

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Neville’s counterpart, Vanni Sartini, spoke in equally ambitious terms, telling local media members on Monday that Vancouver must play aggressively if they want to advance to the Round One Best-of-3 Series against top-seeded LAFC.

“I would say our game: hold the ball more, move it and finish the attack in the last third. So if you finish the attack in the last third it is easy to be aggressive and win the ball back,” Sartini said. “So I think our attacking play will be the key.”

As important as the attack is for Sartini, he remains hyper-focused on keeping things organized at the back, especially with the prospect of dealing with Evander. The Brazilian playmaker is enjoying a breakthrough season in 2024, finding himself among the Landon Donovan MLS MVP favorites thanks to his 34-goal contributions – second only to Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi’s 36.

“We have to limit Evander the way we limit very good players. So team-wise we try to limit the source to Evander,” Sartini said.

That said, the ‘Caps also boast an elite No.10 of their own in Ryan Gauld, whose 10g/15a this season earned him his first ever call-up to the Scotland national team over the summer, while he continues to build chemistry with Brian build up. White (15g/2a) and new DP signing Stuart Armstrong.

“Hopefully they won’t limit Ryan,” Sartini said. “Because I think there’s a good chance that one of these two guys will be the deciding man in the match.”

With both clubs facing win-or-go-home scenarios, their coaches emphasized the need to be at their best given what’s at stake in the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

“It’s a cup final. We have to give our best,” said Neville, who led the Timbers back to the play-offs after a two-year absence during his first season in charge.

“…It’s winner-takes-all, it’s hit or bust. I’ve always thought that in these games you just have to stay very, very calm. The players, I saw an extra bit of edge in them and there’s the energy around the building – everyone wants to play.”

Sartini was equally direct about his team’s chances, especially as Vancouver snapped a seven-game winless streak to end the regular season.

“I think it’s all on us. Of course Portland will give a little more because it’s a playoff game, so we have to give a little more because it’s a playoff game,” Sartini said.

“And everyone has to be willing to go the extra mile and basically play the best game of the season.”