VANCOUVER - If the Vancouver Whitecaps hope to pump some air into their deflating playoff hopes they badly need a win Saturday night in a place where they have rarely won.

The Whitecaps (8-12-6) face the L.A. Galaxy (9-4-12) in a Major League Soccer match at the Stubhub Center where Vancouver is 1-7-0. During that stretch the Whitecaps have been outscored 15-2. The Galaxy also haven't lost at home this season having posted a 6-0-6 record while Vancouver is 3-9-1 on the road.

Head coach Carl Robinson is hoping Vancouver's 3-0 win over Sporting Kansas City in a CONCACAF Champions League match at BC Place Stadium Tuesday will give his team some confidence heading to Southern California.

"It's a massive challenge," said Robinson. "It's a coupon-buster for us. No one probably gives us a chance.

"We are going to go full of confidence after Tuesday. We firmly believe on the day we can beat anyone."

Centre back David Edgar said the Whitecaps might be flying under the Galaxy's radar.

"We are the underdogs now and it's almost a good place to be," he said. "It's about grinding out wins now. It doesn't matter how we do it, how pretty it looks.

"It's about being out there and grinding out wins."

With eight games remaining in the MLS schedule the Whitecaps are ninth in the Western Conference with 30 points. They are two points behind the Portland Timbers, who hold the sixth and final playoff spot. L.A. is fourth in the West with 39 points.

One player anxious to contribute to the playoff run is left back Brett Levis, who signed a MLS deal with Vancouver Tuesday.

The 23-year-old from Saskatoon travelled a twisting road to Vancouver. After playing for the University of Saskatchewan he jumped to the Premier Development League in Victoria, then to the Whitecaps' United Soccer League team.

"It's an incredible journey for the kid," said Robinson. "It's the next step for him. He deserves it.

"It's not a PR stunt. It's because the kid has been the best player in the USL all year."

Levis has faced adversity on his journey. His mother died of cancer when he was 14. Last year he had to battle back from a serious injury.

"This is everything I have been working for my entire life," he said. "This year I'm really focused on enjoying my soccer and not thinking about the business side of things or injuries.

"I'm just looking forward to playing at this level. If I continue to play well and I do get a starting spot, I will be happy."

The Whitecaps have lost four consecutive MLS games and are 2-5-3 in their last 10. They have scored just one goal in their five games while allowing eight.

Goalkeeper David Ousted said playing for the draw against the Galaxy isn't enough.

"Every single game from now is a Cup final," he said. "We need three points as many times as possible in the last eight games to push ourselves over that red line.

"We have shown before it's not impossible (to win in L.A.). We need to go with a mindset of trying to win down there. I believe we can do that."

The Whitecaps lost 2-0 on their last trip to L.A. on July 4. That started a four-game winning streak for the Galaxy.

The Galaxy are coming off two road games where they suffered a loss and a draw. L.A. is 0-1-4 in their last five games.

Forward Giovani dos Santos said the Galaxy are looking to regroup against Vancouver.

"I know we didn't get two good results in the last two games but I think everyone is working really hard," he told the Galaxy website. "We know we have a great team, the chemistry you have to improve every single day.

"We're going to watch the videos of what we can improve and move on to the next game."

Los Angeles has scored 40 goals this season, the most of any team in the West. Vancouver had given up a conference-leading 43 goals.

"They are really strong, especially offensively," said Ousted. "You see how many players offensively that can contribute to them with goals, assists, offensive play.

"You know they are coming with a lot of guys. That also leaves them open the other way. I think that's going to be an opportunity for us."

News from © The Canadian Press, 2016