ShareSt. Louis City SC have a new striker in their squad, having bought Rafael Navarro for a club-record fee from the Colorado Rapids.St. Louis City SC are "excited" about what new signing Rafael Navarro can bring to the club, with the striker set for a potential MLS debut against Vancouver Whitecaps.Navarro has arrived at St. Louis for a club-record $12m fee, signing a contract through to the end of the 2029-30 season, with the option for a further year.He spent three years at the Colorado Rapids, tallying 44 goals and 16 assists across his 114 appearances in all competitions, and has already scored 10 this term.Navarro joins a St. Louis side in strong form, as they have not lost any of their last 12 league games (W8 D4), alternating between a win and a draw in their last six outings – they drew 3-3 with FC Dallas last time out.And St. Louis believe Navarro is going to be key to ensuring they continue their playoff push, as they currently sit sixth in the Western Conference."When we started the search for a striker who could fit our system, Rafa's profile really stood out to us, and he quickly became one of our main targets," said St. Louis sporting director Corey Wray."We knew there was significant interest in Rafa, but we were determined to make him a priority for us. He is not only a proven goalscorer in this league, but he brings so much to the team through his work ethic, pressing, link-up play and overall presence in the attack."His effort on both sides of the ball, combined with his ability to score goals and create opportunities for his team-mates, will be a big boost to our group."We believe Rafa is entering the prime years of his career, and we are excited to bring him to St. Louis and get him integrated into the group as soon as possible."They face a Vancouver side who sit top of the West, with a four-point cushion over the Houston Dynamo below them.The Whitecaps have won their last two matches in MLS, including a 3-0 thumping win over Sporting Kansas City last time out.They come into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw with CF Montreal in the Canadian Championship semi-final first leg, having had to come from behind.PLAYERS TO WATCHVancouver Whitecaps – Brian WhiteBrian White tallied his 75th regular-season goal for the Whitecaps in their win against Kansas City.White is the 15th player to score 75 or more regular-season goals with a single MLS club, but he is the first to do so with a Canadian team.St. Louis City SC – Simon BecherSimon Becher has scored four goals in his last four games for St. Louis, including goals in back-to-back games.Only three players in club history have ever scored in three straight regular-season games: Cedric Teuchert, Nicholas Gioacchini and Eduard Lowen.MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WINSt. Louis won their first meeting with Vancouver in 2023, a 3-1 home win. Since that victory, Vancouver are unbeaten in the five (W4 D1) meetings between the clubs, outscoring St. Louis 14-6.Vancouver's last two matches have been a 5-0 win over FC Dallas and a 3-0 win over Sporting KC. It is the 37th time a team has had consecutive shutout wins by three or more goals in the regular season, but no team has ever done so in three straight.And St. Louis extended their unbeaten run to 12 straight regular-season matches with a 3-3 home draw with Dallas (W8 D4).It is the longest unbeaten streak in MLS play this season, with the last longer regular-season unbeaten streak in a single season being by Real Salt Lake in 2024 (15).OPTA WIN PROBABILITYVancouver Whitecaps – 54.9%Draw – 23.2%St. Louis City SC – 21.9%St. Louis City SC have a new striker in their squad, having bought Rafael Navarro for a club-record fee from the Colorado Rapids.St. Louis City SC are "excited" about what new signing Rafael Navarro can bring to the club, with the striker set for a potential MLS debut against Vancouver Whitecaps.Navarro has arrived at St. Louis for a club-record $12m fee, signing a contract through to the end of the 2029-30 season, with the option for a further year.He spent three years at the Colorado Rapids, tallying 44 goals and 16 assists across his 114 appearances in all competitions, and has already scored 10 this term.Navarro joins a St. Louis side in strong form, as they have not lost any of their last 12 league games (W8 D4), alternating between a win and a draw in their last six outings – they drew 3-3 with FC Dallas last time out.And St. Louis believe Navarro is going to be key to ensuring they continue their playoff push, as they currently sit sixth in the Western Conference."When we started the search for a striker who could fit our system, Rafa's profile really stood out to us, and he quickly became one of our main targets," said St. Louis sporting director Corey Wray."We knew there was significant interest in Rafa, but we were determined to make him a priority for us. He is not only a proven goalscorer in this league, but he brings so much to the team through his work ethic, pressing, link-up play and overall presence in the attack."His effort on both sides of the ball, combined with his ability to score goals and create opportunities for his team-mates, will be a big boost to our group."We believe Rafa is entering the prime years of his career, and we are excited to bring him to St. Louis and get him integrated into the group as soon as possible."They face a Vancouver side who sit top of the West, with a four-point cushion over the Houston Dynamo below them.The Whitecaps have won their last two matches in MLS, including a 3-0 thumping win over Sporting Kansas City last time out.They come into this game on the back of a 1-1 draw with CF Montreal in the Canadian Championship semi-final first leg, having had to come from behind.PLAYERS TO WATCHVancouver Whitecaps – Brian WhiteBrian White tallied his 75th regular-season goal for the Whitecaps in their win against Kansas City.White is the 15th player to score 75 or more regular-season goals with a single MLS club, but he is the first to do so with a Canadian team.St. Louis City SC – Simon BecherSimon Becher has scored four goals in his last four games for St. Louis, including goals in back-to-back games.Only three players in club history have ever scored in three straight regular-season games: Cedric Teuchert, Nicholas Gioacchini and Eduard Lowen.MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WINSt. Louis won their first meeting with Vancouver in 2023, a 3-1 home win. Since that victory, Vancouver are unbeaten in the five (W4 D1) meetings between the clubs, outscoring St. Louis 14-6.Vancouver's last two matches have been a 5-0 win over FC Dallas and a 3-0 win over Sporting KC. It is the 37th time a team has had consecutive shutout wins by three or more goals in the regular season, but no team has ever done so in three straight.And St. Louis extended their unbeaten run to 12 straight regular-season matches with a 3-3 home draw with Dallas (W8 D4).It is the longest unbeaten streak in MLS play this season, with the last longer regular-season unbeaten streak in a single season being by Real Salt Lake in 2024 (15).OPTA WIN PROBABILITYVancouver Whitecaps – 54.9%Draw – 23.2%St. Louis City SC – 21.9%