A CAP-tivating Start For The Vancouver Whitecaps
Photo Credit: Concacaf
The Vancouver Whitecaps have had a dream start to the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season. Currently standing first in the Western Conference, the Caps have posted an impressive 10-5-2 record (W-T-L), along with 35 points. Under new head coach Jesper Sørensen, Vancouver’s team is positioned to win its first-ever MLS Cup.
Last season, the Whitecaps finished eighth in the conference with a 13-8-13 record, defeated by Los Angeles FC in the first round of playoffs. They lost the best-of-three series 2-1.
Forward Brian White has been the driver of Vancouver’s offense, with ten goals in 11 games, while midfielder Ali Ahmed has contributed five assists.
"Brian is always dangerous, he's always a threat in the box," head coach Sørensen said after a 3-2 comeback win against Real Salt Lake on May 24. "You also saw him have two big opportunities apart from the two goals. He's always involved. He's also good at helping us build up. He's also good at taking the duels in mid-pitch.”
When it comes to goalkeeping, Yohei Takaoka has excelled between the pipes, with shutouts in eight games this season.
The Whitecaps have not only been dominating the MLS, but also displayed a great performance in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. After defeating teams like Saprissa, CF Monterrey, Pumas UNAM, and Inter Miami CF, Vancouver qualified for the Champions Cup Final.
On June 1, the Caps faced Cruz Azul, who were vying for their seventh CONCACAF Cup, while Vancouver was eyeing their first. Unfortunately, the Whitecaps lost 5-0.
Cruz Azul dominated the Whitecaps, as they had possession of the ball for 67 per cent of the match, and had 16-0 shot attempts against the Vancouver team.
However, the Caps set a new club record: an 11 match unbeaten streak in MLS play after a 3-0 win against the Seattle Sounders.
This has caused shock in the Vancouver fanbase as a significant number of Caps suffered gastroenteritis issues after the CONCACAF finals loss in Mexico City. As a result, many bench players had to be started, but Vancouver still took the win.