Do you believe in Vancouver Whitecaps now?
Before the start of the regular season, the MLS website assembled a special group of experts – writers, television commentators and former players – who offered their forecasts for the election campaign. Eight of the nine panelists predicted the Whitecaps would fail to make the playoffs, with one saying they would finish last in the Western Conference.
The Whitecaps responded by finishing second in the West, setting club records for most points (63) and most wins (18) in a single MLS season.
Vancouver followed that up by taking Dallas and LAFC through the first two rounds of the playoffs before beating San Diego in the Western Conference final on Saturday to advance to next weekend's MLS Cup. Vancouver is just 90 minutes away from becoming MLS champions for the first time in its history.
Here's what you need to know about the Whitecaps' big playoff win over San Diego.
KEY TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
Brilliant attacking play from Vancouver in the first half
Vancouver had the third-best attack in MLS during the regular season with 66 goals. San Diego (64 goals) was only two behind them, so it was expected to be a fairly open game. What was not expected was the way the Whitecaps dominated the expansion club in the first half. Vancouver handled San Diego's pressing game quite comfortably, breaking through the pressure and transitioning to the other side quite effectively, transitioning smoothly from defense to attack.
The Whitecaps actively controlled the pace of the match throughout the first 45 minutes, both in and out of possession, and kept the hosts off balance with their quick play down the flanks. In particular, Canada's Ali Ahmed (who produced the man of the match) on the left flank and Emmanuel Sabbi on the right flank posed a threat. Meanwhile, Andres Cubas and Sebastian Berhalter worked in unison on both sides of the ball in the center of the park, playing major roles in helping Vancouver tear apart San Diego's backline countless times.
Vancouver's first goal in the eighth minute capped a brilliant run in which Cubas made a superb play, winning the ball deep in San Diego's half and then making two superb passes before Brian White scored at the far post. The own goal just three minutes later that extended the Whitecaps' lead was the result of a penetrating strike into the box by Sabby that San Diego couldn't contain all night.
The crowd at Snagyp Stadium stood in stunned silence, unable to understand how the home team, who topped the Western Conference standings at the end of the regular season, could fall into such a deep hole so soon. Smelling blood in the water, Vancouver continued to force the issue instead of sitting idly by. A third goal in overtime in the first half effectively ended the game as White's chest shot from Ahmed's ball across the box stabbed a dagger into San Diego's chest.
Almost flawless Whitecaps management in the second half
In last Saturday's Western Conference semi-final, the Whitecaps looked right at home and kept a clean sheet as they raced into a 2-0 lead over LAFC at BC Place before the break. But the visitors fought back and equalized with a pair of goals, including one at the death, before losing in a heartbreaking penalty shootout. As brilliant as Vancouver was in the first half, their victory owed a lot to luck, as a crazy sequence occurred in overtime that saw LAFC hit the woodwork three times in a row.
Just like last week, the Whitecaps went into the break with a big lead on Saturday, but this time their opponents were unable to mount a valiant comeback. The second half was a masterclass in game management from Vancouver, who picked up where they left off in the first half, continuing their run to San Diego and forcing them to retreat.
The home side saw more of the ball in the final 45 minutes but the Whitecaps kept them comfortably at arm's length and managed to snuff out any hint of danger before it became an issue. Even after Hirving Lozano's fortuitous goal in the 60th minute gave San Diego a lifeline, Vancouver didn't panic or let the match tip completely in the home team's favor. That they kept their heads even after German star Thomas Muller was substituted shortly after Lozano's goal made the Whitecaps' second-half performance even more impressive.
San Diego star Danish striker Anders Dreyer, the 2025 MLS Rookie of the Year, stayed away from Vancouver thanks to strong defensive play from the central midfield duo of Cubas and Berhalter. The Great Dane, who was also a finalist for this year's league MVP award, managed just one shot on target.
The floodgates opened for Vancouver seven minutes into the match when they scored the first of three goals in the first half. San Diego tried to play from behind when Cubas effectively pressed defenseman Ian Pilcher and stole the ball. The Paraguayan international took advantage of Berhalter's return pass and then quickly passed the ball to Ahmed in the penalty area. Cubas took a touch when he received the ball from Ahmed and then slid across the box to the back post, where he slid in and fired home.
Mexican star Lozano came off the bench early in the second half to put San Diego on the scoreboard on the hour mark. Three minutes later, Vancouver looked like they were going to restore their three-goal lead after Sabbi left-footed a shot from deep inside the box with goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega off his line. But San Diego defender Manu Dua's brilliant header off the goal line denied Sabby a sure goal.
THREE STARS OF THE DAY
1. Ali Ahmed (Vancouver): The Canadian international midfielder caused San Diego all sorts of problems with his penetrating runs down the right flank and his effective link-up play when breaking into the middle. Collected assists on both of White's goals.
2. Brian White (Vancouver): The American striker sensationally led the Whitecaps' relentless attack, scoring a first-half brace, making one key pass and winning three aerial duels.
3. Andres Cubas (Vancouver): Two assists on the night came from the Paraguayan international, who played brilliantly on both sides of the ball as part of a midfield double pivot alongside Berhalter.
Ahead of the MLS Cup
Inter Miami and Lionel Messi moved to easy Home win 5-1 over New York in Saturday's Eastern Conference finals. Top remaining seed Miami will host Vancouver in the MLS Cup at Chase Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6 (2:30 p.m. ET). Both teams reached an MLS Championship match for the first time.
Although Messi's side will have home advantage and will be considered favourites, the Eastern Conference champions will not be able to overlook the Whitecaps. In April, the Whitecaps beat Miami in both legs of the Concacaf Champions Cup semi-finals by an aggregate score of 5–1. If Vancouver wins, it will join Toronto (in 2017) as the only Canadian teams to win the MLS Cup since the league's inaugural season in 1996.
Editor's note
John Molinaro is one of Canada's leading soccer journalists, having covered the game for more than 26 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. Currently he is the editor-in-chief of the magazine TFC Republicwebsite dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
