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Sandy • If things go according to plan, Jeff Cassar will have to face the music. He is planning on it, though somewhat reluctantly.
The wager the RSL coach made in May with friend and goalkeepers coach Daryl Shore was straightforward: If Real Salt Lake qualifies for the MLS playoffs in Cassar's first year as head coach, he'd shave his head.
"Oh, boy," Cassar said this week. "I actually haven't even been thinking about that. … I mean, I have to keep my word. My wife's not happy about it, but it's all right."
There's a distinct possibility that the 40-year-old Cassar won't be in need of hair product for the remainder of the season. With a win or draw at Vancouver on Saturday, RSL will clinch a playoff berth for the seventh consecutive season.
Should RSL (13-6-10, 49 points) get what they need at BC Place, they will join the Seattle Sounders and L.A. Galaxy as the third club in the Western Conference to secure a spot in this year's chase for the MLS Cup. But the Whitecaps, in need of a win in order to stay alive in pursuit of the fifth and final spot in the West, will have a say in the matter.
Vancouver is 8-8-13 this season but has hit a dry spell. Since its 2-0 win over Sporting Kansas City on Aug. 10, Vancouver has scored just three goals in its last seven matches. Trailing Portland by two points for the fifth spot, the Caps have no choice Saturday but to open up and take dead-aim at a victory.
"I would anticipate, going at home, they're not going to sit back," Cassar said.
However, that is exactly what the Whitecaps did twice this year at Rio Tinto, and twice they left Sandy with points in two dramatic draws.
But RSL is facing more than a desperate club Satuirday. It is up against a playing surface known as arguably the worst artificial turf in the league.
"It's hard on the body, and the bounce isn't as true," RSL defender Chris Wingert said. "And if you're not used to it, it's probably a little bit of an advantage for the home team. ... We've had some success on turf, and it's not something that we can be too concerned about."
The rugged surface could provide a rationale for Cassar to rest some starters, avoiding the bumps and bruises that often accompany playing on turf. RSL did that in its 1-0 win at Vancouver last September, with several backups playing big roles in the club's first-ever win at BC Place.
Regardless of who starts, RSL believes it's capable of earning points and a playoffs spot.
"We definitely want to clinch a playoff berth, and then as you continue to get closer to the playoffs, maybe allow management to play around with minutes a little bit and get guys healthy and things like that," Wingert said.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
RSL at Vancouver Whitecaps
O BC Place, Vancouver, British Columbia
Kickoff • Saturday, 5 p.m.
TV • CW30. Radio • 700 AM
Records • RSL 13-6-10; Vancouver 8-8-13
Last meeting • RSL 1, Vancouver 1 (July 19 at Rio Tinto Stadium)
About RSL • Forward Joao Plata continues his impressive season with 13 goals and five assists. … Midfielder Javier Morales has nine goals and 11 assists, both career highs. … RSL has been shutout just five times in 2014 and haven't been since July 12 at L.A. … FC Dallas' 3-1 win over Seattle puts the club one point behind RSL for No. 3 out West. … RSL has the second-best goal differential in MLS at plus-13. … Newcomer Sebastian Jaime is coming off his first career start with RSL against Colorado.
About Vancouver • Midfielder Pedro Morales leads his club with eight goals and 10 assists in 2014. … Forward Darren Mattocks has six goals and three assists. … Whitecaps are 1-4-2 in its last seven league matches and have scored three goals during that span. … Coming off a 3-0 loss to rival Portland on Sept. 20. … Have twice drawn with RSL this season. … Overcame two-goal deficit on April 26 to secure 2-2 draw. … Settled for 1-1 draw at Rio Tinto Stadium on July 19. … Whitecaps lead the Western Conference in draws this season with 13.