Whitecaps can clinch first in the West Saturday after 4-1 win over San Diego

The Vancouver Whitecaps could do something this weekend that they have not done in 15 years in MLS: finish first in the Western Conference.

A 4-1 win over San Diego FC at BC Place on Wednesday night, combined with FC Dallas's 2-0 loss to the Columbus Crew, left Vancouver four points ahead of Dallas with two games remaining for each team, according to Daily Hive. The Whitecaps could clinch as soon as Saturday, when they host the Seattle Sounders at BC Place in front of a crowd of more than 30,000.

The prize is practical as well as historic. Finishing first in the West would guarantee home-field advantage through to the conference final. Last season the Whitecaps finished second and had to travel for the Western Conference Final against San Diego and for the MLS Cup Final against Inter Miami. This season they have won 10 and drawn two of their 16 MLS home matches.

A loss or draw by Dallas in either of its last two matches would also hand Vancouver first place. If nothing falls their way this weekend, the Whitecaps have another chance in their regular-season finale in Montreal on Nov. 7.

The route here has been uneven. Vancouver went 10-2-2 before the FIFA World Cup break and is 7-6-5 since. Sebastian Berhalter was transferred to Middlesbrough FC in July and has been absent during that second stretch.

The Whitecaps have 58 points, level with the New England Revolution, who hold the tiebreaker on more wins. They lead Inter Miami, at 56 points, by two. Nashville SC, which leads the East, has already clinched the Supporters' Shield with 71 points.

Head coach Jesper Sørensen said after Wednesday's match that he has a good feeling about how his team played.

Vancouver's final two games are Saturday against Seattle at BC Place and the Nov. 7 finale in Montreal.