VANCOUVER 鈥� Sam Adekugbe has spent the last six weeks rooting for the 麻豆传媒映画Whitecaps as the club surges up the Major League Soccer standings.
What the left back really wants, though, is to get back on the field.
"(Ryan Gauld) and I were talking the other day 鈥� we feel like cheerleaders. And we're just eager to be a part of it," Adekugbe said Thursday. "When things are going well, you want to be a part of it, and you want to enjoy the moments when they're high. And we're working hard to get back there.鈥�
Adekugbe hasn't played since March 2 when he suffered a quad injury in the first half of Vancouver's 2-1 victory over the L.A. Galaxy.
The ailment came just weeks into a season where the Canadian defender put up two goals in two league appearances.
Adekugbe participated in full training with his teammates this week and could be back in the lineup Saturday when the league-leading 'Caps (6-1-1) visit St. Louis City SC.
While 麻豆传媒映画has fared well through a spate of injuries, it will be crucial to get players back to full health. The club also has a semifinal berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup starting Thursday when the Whitecaps host Lionel Messi's Inter Miami CF.
鈥淲e have a tough schedule going ahead and we need all the forces and all the players that we can manage, that we can have," said 'Caps head coach Jesper Sorensen.
The Whitecaps are 7-2-5 across all competitions this year and head into Saturday's matchup undefeated (2-0-1) in their last three league outings, including a 5-1 thumping of Austin FC at home last week.
Continuing that run of form will be key to the team's aspirations, Adekugbe said.
鈥淲e're top of the table, but we want to be top of the table at the end of the season rather than the beginning of the season," he said. "So we're still humble in our approach, and know that has worked to be done throughout the season.鈥�
Whitecaps striker Brian White put up four goals in last week's victory and now has six on the season, tied with Tai Baribo of the Philadelphia Union for most in the league.
麻豆传媒映画tops the MLS in goals (17), assists (20) and goal differential (+11) heading into Saturday's game.
The stats may surprise some opponents, but the 'Caps simply don't care, said midfielder Sebastian Berhalter.
鈥淲e haven't really had a lot of praise the last three years, at least since I've been here," he said. "So it's been something that we're kind of used to. And if (other teams) want to target us, they don't want to target us, I don't think it really matters for us.鈥�
Berhalter has played in all 14 of Vancouver's games across all competitions this season, starting in 13 before coming on as a second-half substitute against Austin last week.
The 23-year-old American contributes his solid form in part to the belief Sorensen has put in him.
鈥淎ny time a coach has belief in you, you feel good and you play good," Berhalter said. "I've played a lot of minutes, which is always nice - especially as a younger player - but it's been good."
The home side enters play on a four-game losing skid, including a 2-1 defeat to Columbus last week.
St. Louis' recent play doesn't change how 麻豆传媒映画will approach the game, Berhalter said.
鈥淭hey have a pretty clear system, they have a great fan base, and it'll be a tough game," he said. "I think any time you play there, it's hard. And I don't think they鈥檝e had the best run of form, but still a good team. And we need to take them really seriously.鈥�
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (6-1-1) AT ST. LOUIS CITY SC (2-4-2)
Saturday, Energizer Park
HISTORY BOOKS: The Whitecaps hold a 3-1-0 record in all-time meetings between the clubs.
OPEN WINDOWS: The primary transfer window is set to close Wednesday and there have been rumblings the 'Caps are trying to add to their roster. Asked whether he'd like to bring in more players, Sorensen said the club should always try to see what it can do "to be as strong as possible," even when playing well.
A WILD INVESTMENT: Adekugbe was one of several 'Caps players and staff in the stands Wednesday for the first-ever Northern Super League game between the 麻豆传媒映画Rise and Calgary Wild. The Canadian defender is a part-owner of the Calgary team and wore a Wild hoodie to the game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 18, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
