VANCOUVER — Jesper Sorensen's first season as a Major League Soccer head coach was full of big moments.
There was a time when his Vancouver Whitecaps signed one of the best soccer talents in the world. And one where they beat their opponent in dramatic fashion in the playoffs. And the one where they played in the league championship against Lionel Messi and his club.
Each one was memorable, Sorensen said Monday — as was the way the city of Vancouver rallied around its soccer team.
“The fact that we were able to get so many people interested and support from the entire city of Vancouver is definitely something that is very close to my heart,” he said. “I think that’s what sports is all about.”
Sorensen was named head coach of the Caps just hours before the team left for training camp in Spain back in January. Since then he has been involved in a whirlwind of tactics and training, squads and games.
“It's been a great season,” said the 52-year-old Danish bench coach. “This season has had a lot more ups than downs. And you don't always expect seasons like this. You have to appreciate that.”
Vancouver's season came to a heartbreaking end on Saturday when the Whitecaps lost 3-1 to Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final.
According to Sorensen, the team feels like they let the finals slip away, but that shouldn't take away from the success they've had throughout the year.
“Looking back, yeah, it hurts when you don't get anything out of it. But on the other hand, I think we're all grateful for this journey and for being on this journey together,” he said.
“We will come back strong and ready to compete again.”
Few spectators expected Vancouver to be an MLS Cup contender when the season began.
However, under Sorensen's leadership, the group rallied and excelled in a possession-dominant, attack-heavy game that opened up a creative freedom previously unseen among some players in the squad.
Success came quickly.
There was a 15-game unbeaten streak across all competitions and the team earned a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final.
The Caps ultimately lost Cruz Azul and returned home with a stomach virus that plagued some players for weeks. The rest joined their national teams, leaving Vancouver empty-handed.
It didn't matter.
The Whitecaps continued to remain atop the Western Conference standings and finished the season with an 18-7-9 record, the team's best record in the MLS era.
“I think maybe the most important thing … is that at no time all year — never, ever, at any point — did we make excuses,” Caps CEO and athletic director Axel Schuster said. “And there would be a lot of reasons we could give why we had a harder time than other teams.”
Vancouver beat Dallas in a best-of-three first-round playoff series, setting up a showdown with playoff rival Los Angeles in the West semifinals.
The Caps advanced in dramatic fashion, surrendering a 2-0 lead, reducing the lead to nine men and ultimately winning on penalties.
This was followed by a convincing victory over expansion team San Diego FC in the West Final, giving the club its first conference title and first appearance in the MLS Cup.
The fall to Messi and Inter Miami was difficult, Sorensen said, but the Caps have something to work on next year.
“We're not starting all over again. We're starting from a very high foundation. And we can move it forward,” he said. “Everyone is motivated, everyone knows how it works and how we want to move forward. It will not be difficult for us to start from a better starting point than last year.”
Vancouver announced Monday it has picked up options on a number of players, including star midfielder Thomas Mueller.
The 36-year-old German football legend signed with the team in August and quickly provided both an attacking spark and a charismatic face that fans were happy to rally behind.
According to Schuster, the club will maintain a single core next season, and there are no unresolved problems with the salary cap.
“But I would say, is that really what we want to do, keep everything together and keep everything the same? I would question that,” he said. “I don't think we want to do that.
“We want to get some fresh energy, we want to get some new competition.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2025.
