Yes, this is real: The Vancouver Whitecaps are on top of the MLS standings.
After another solid performance resulted in a 1-0 win over FC Dallas on Saturday. Since the Philadelphia Union lost a wild game to Nashville SC 3-1 on Sunday, the Whitecaps sit atop the MLS standings with a 4-0-0 record.
No one expected this, not even the most optimistic Whitecaps fan. But it has been a fun ride so far. It still doesn’t seem real, but it is. For Whitecaps fans, seeing them at the top of the table is a real “pinch me moment.” This feels like a fever dream.
Under new head coach, Jesper Sørensen has levelled up quickly and has gone through a big glow-up just like Sung Jin-Woo. It’s hard to believe that this is the same team from last season but it more or less is.
At the end of his press conference after the win in Dallas, Sørensen proudly said: “How bout them Whitecaps?!” referencing the famous “How bout them Cowboys?!” phrase.
How bout them Whitecaps indeed.
Controlling the game
The Danish head coach came to Vancouver not only with experience at the top level but with a clear identity: a controlled-possession-based game.
“Control is important because when you have the ball, you control the game,” said Sørensen during his introductory press conference in January. “But when you don’t have the ball, you can only affect the game, you cannot control what is going to happen. If you have the ball, you can control it and also you can control the outcome. I think that playing too open creates randomness.”
The Whitecaps have done just that in their games this season. They are controlling the game with their possession, trying to win the ball back as much as possible and getting many players in the box.
According to FotMob, Vancouver leads the league in touches in the opposition box, (137), accurate crosses per match, (6.8) and shots on target per match. (6.5) They are fourth in expected goals, (7.3) tied for second in big chances created (13) and are sixth in accurate passes per match.
“Everyone is working their butts off and doing everything they can,” said Sørensen after the win in Dallas. “We are getting more confident. We are getting better each day and that’s something I’m very happy to see.”
Sørensen Ball has been like a siren for other teams. The Whitecaps’ possession is leading other teams towards their downfall. The midfielders are roaming and the attackers are trying to create space for themselves in the box. One interesting thing is that the fullbacks (either the left or the right) get high up the pitch and provide an overlap for one of the attacking midfielders. White can draw in the defenders with his run and allows more attackers to enter the box to receive service from the full-back.
The Whitecaps look more cohesive, threatening and more defensively structured than last season. When they have the ball, they are patient but deadly, like Michael Fassbender in The Killer.
Depth stepping up
The Whitecaps have played eight games in 24 days, which makes their good form even more impressive.
With the amount of games they played, injuries have been piling up. Jayden Nelson has returned from his hamstring injury, but Ryan Gauld is out for a few weeks with a knee injury and Sam Adekugbe is still a few weeks away with his quad injury. New signing Emmanuel Sabbi is still recovering from an ankle injury he suffered in preseason.
But so far, that hasn’t been a big problem. Why? The Whitecaps’ depth has stepped up. Vancouver has had 10 different goal scorers in all competitions in 2025. In all of 2024, they had 14 different goal scorers.
Seven goals from the Whitecaps have come from defenders. Tristan Blackmon was the latest and the assist came from JC Ngando.
It is refreshing to see players that aren’t expected to get on the scoresheet, get goal contributions. Players like Ngando, Mathias Laborda, Edier Ocampo, Tate Johnson and Belal Halbouni have not only impressed with their play but have scored goals.
Pedro Vite deserves a ton of plaudits because he has taken his game to another level this season. The 23-year-old Ecuadorian is looking more creative, has been better defensively and has looked more mature compared to previous years.
Resilience and proving others wrong
Despite everything, the Whitecaps have been resilient. That is probably the biggest reason why they only lost one game in all competitions so far.
They won despite injuries to key players. They had a 14-hour travel delay before their first MLS game in Portland. The Whitecaps also were down early in both legs against Monterrey in the CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16. Yet, they managed to pull off great performances and win the tie.
Even when they conceded a goal, they did not let it get to them and continued to control the game.
“I think the mentality has been great with the group,” said White after the game against FC Dallas. “We have been in this little bit of a grind and flow and credit to the boys, we’re doing everything we can to get some really good results in these 24 days with eight games.”
Vancouver was not looked upon favourably by MLS analysts before the MLS season. But now, they are eating their words.
The Whitecaps are cooking and the meals have been delicious.
However, they must show more resiliency on Saturday when they play the Chicago Fire at BC Place. In addition to the injuries, White, Vite, Cubas and Ali Ahmed will be away on international duty. It would be monumental if they could go 5-0-0, but this storm will be the toughest to brave yet. Time to keep cooking.
