After a not-so-long offseason, the Vancouver Whitecaps are back.
There is uncertainty regarding the future of the club in Vancouver, but expectations are high on the pitch. After an MLS era club record-breaking 2025, which saw them reach three finals, the Whitecaps were looking to soar to new heights in 2026.
The sentiment around the fanbase was something like: “I’m so excited, I’m so scared!” Can the Whitecaps prove last season wasn’t a fluke and that they are the real deal? They got the pieces to do so, which include the reigning MLS Defender of the Year, finalists for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and Coach of the Year and a German World Cup-winning legend.
It was opening night (or rather day) of a long and grueling MLS campaign. In typical Vancouver fashion, it rained on Whitecaps opening day.
MLS was back. Bring on the goals, saves and all the chaos and the confusion around GAM and TAM. Can Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen’s sequel season be just as good or better than the original?
The opening scene wasn’t the prettiest, but it wasn’t a bad start to 2026.
First half: All bark, no bite
Emmanuel Sabbi made the right side his own during the second half of last season and throughout the playoffs. Early on, he looked dangerous with his runs into the box. It looked like he was going to be a thorn in RSL’s side. However, no one was getting on the end of Sabbi’s crosses.
Thomas Müller had an excellent chance to open the scoring. He beat Rafael Cabral, but not the left post. Unfortunately, Brian White skied the rebound.
It is fine to have rust early in the season, but it has to wear off fast. It was a tedious start, much like the pacing of Gone With The Wind.
Vancouver was doing a good job of pinning Real Salt Lake in their own half. But that forced RSL to play a compact and rigid shape into a low block. It looked like the final ball was a problem for the Whitecaps.
Real Salt Lake did score, but it was offside. However, Sabbi and Mathias Laborda fell asleep. It seems like there was still some sleepiness within the team, too.
AZ Jackson looked like a threat down the left side, too. He looked good with the ball and, despite lacking physicality, did a good job of evading defenders, but needed more creativity.
Overall, it was another slog of a half. Vancouver looked good defensively, but the offence was missing.
Second half: AZ gets the win for the Whitecaps
After 147 minutes into the 2026 season, the Whitecaps finally scored a goal.
Tate Johnson made a great run overlapping into the box, and AZ made no mistake putting in the pass into the net.
The Whitecaps needed to put the game to bed. They started looking quicker with the ball, especially putting it into the final third. However, Cabral was up to the task. Brian White was still looking isolated, and his touches weren’t the best.
It was also worth noting that Kenji Cabrera looked very lively after he came on for AZ. He and Müller were linking up quite well.
RSL started to get going. However, they also were lacking in the final third. Well, except for a solid chance from Aidan Hezarkhani late in the second half. Fortunately, Yohei Takaoka handled it easily.
Luckily, Vancouver survived. It wasn’t the best game. However, they looked more fluid and creative in the second half. Not a bad start to the 2026 MLS season.
Stat of the match
AZ is the first Whitecap to score on his debut since Johnson did it last season against CF Montreal. It was fitting that Johnson got the assist on AZ’s goal.
Tweet of the match
It is peculiar that AZ is pronounced A Zee instead of A Zed in Canada. But he probably wants to be referred to as the former. After all, Canadians don’t call Jay Z, Jay Zed!
What was said
“I think it was a difficult game for us,” said Sørensen after the match. “We started OK, but we had some difficulties with our pressure, and they played well under us, and they ran at us a couple of times. We were a bit too open when we played underneath our midfield lines…and that might have stressed us a bit…It was nervous and hectic at the end, where we didn’t have any rhythm…but we didn’t give away many chances, and I was satisfied with that. Of course, we had a tough week and a long travel from Costa Rica the other day. Now that we came out on top in this game, hopefully that will free up some energy.”
The Whitecaps head coach acknowledged things were still rough with his team’s fundamentals, but he is confident they will improve.
“Things are not perfect, and it’s not that easy to have the right timing all the time,” said Sørensen. “I’m pretty confident we will work well and get there.”
AZ was pretty happy to talk about scoring on his debut and getting the three points.
“Man, it felt amazing, incredible atmosphere, great turnout by the fans,” he said. “I was just happy to get those three points at home for the first time this season.”
He was also asked about his goal and being at the right place at the right time.
“I was just trying to put myself in the best position possible just to attack the box and just be in the right position,” said AZ. “I just thought just attacking the box, not being aggressive, anything could happen.”
Johnson spoke about assisting AZ.
“Someone played me a good ball where I was able to take a good touch, and then my job is just to put it in the box and let A.Z. do his thing,” he said. “Got a little deflection, but AZ had a great finish on that.”
He also spoke about the depth the team has, especially on the backline.
“I think if you look at any good team, you see strength and depth in every position,” said Johnson. “I think competition is really good and it encourages everyone to be better. You just can’t take days off and not play well. I think it’s super important, and I think that’s what makes us a great team. We have a lot of depth in different positions, and even last year when we picked up different injuries. I think a lot of our success comes from that.”
Wrap-up
A win is a win.
The attack still looks rusty at times, but again, it is early days. Vancouver faces CS Cartagines in leg two of their CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday at BC Place. They’ll hope to break the 0-0 aggregate score as kickoff is at 6: 30 pm Pacific. Then, the Whitecaps face Toronto FC at BC Place on Saturday. Kickoff for that game is also 6:30 pm.
It wasn’t a bad start to the MLS season for the Whitecaps, but here’s hoping that it is the start of some momentum.
