- Whitecaps FC now face a rematch from the 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs against LAFC
- The 'Caps matched their largest MLS playoff victory, equaling the 5-0 victory over San Jose Earthquakes in 2017. It also marked the first time the 'Caps have scored five goals in MLS play outside of Vancouver
- Ryan Gauld became just the third player in MLS playoff history to record three goals and an assist in a single match. His hat-trick was the seventh in MLS playoff history. Gauld now has 24 goal contributions (11 goals, 13 assists) in his last 21 appearances across all competitions. Gauld (41 goals) is two away from matching Camilo Sanvezzo for second all-time in goals for the club in the MLS era
- In only his second start, Stuart Armstrong recorded one goal and two assists, both to his compatriot Gauld
- Brian White scored in the MLS Cup Playoffs for a second straight season, tying his career high with his 16th MLS goal of the season including playoffs
- Yohei Takaoka recorded his first career playoff shutout
- Pedro Vite recorded his first two career playoff assists
- Mathías Laborda recorded his first career playoff assist
- Fafa Picault recorded the second playoff assist of his MLS career, with the last coming in 2019 when he also scored for Philadelphia Union in the postseason. Picault now has a career high 17 goal contributions this season across all competitions
- After scoring in last year's playoffs, Sam Adekugbe recorded his first career playoff assist
PORTLAND, OR – It was a historic evening in Portland for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, as they put five past the Portland Timbers in what was a dominant display to secure their spot into the Round One Best-of-3 Series in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs.
The match started physically, as heavy early challenges set the tone for this do-or-die Wild Card encounter
Ryan Gauld had the first clear chance, testing goalkeeper James Pantemis into a good punch save to deny the Scot. That moment would prove a sign of things to come.
It didn’t take much longer for the first goal to go in for the 'Caps. After chaos in the box following a corner kick, Fafa Picault made a snapshot volley that forced a huge save from Pantemis. Tristan Blackmon tried to beat him on the rebound but the Timbers ‘keeper was equal to it, however he could not deny Gauld from tapping it in on the third time of asking.
Brian White made it 2-0 just minutes later through some great attacking play. Gauld made a deep cross into the box for Mathías Laborda to latch onto. After some clever close control, Laborda was able to drill a ball across for White to tap-in.
The ‘Caps took a 3-0 lead inside the first half thanks to more magic from their Scottish connection. Stuart Armstrong was found at the edge of the box by Pedro Vite and dinked a perfect pass over the head of three defenders right onto the chest of Gauld. The captain then hit a wonderful lob into the top corner.
Evander came close to clawing one back for Portland in the 40th minute, lashing a shot towards the ‘Caps’ net and forcing Yohei Takaoka to make a big stop.
The second half started in the same way for Whitecaps FC as it did in the first half, with the ‘Caps running riot. Armstrong made it 4-0 just six minutes into the second half. After Vite found Picault on the right side of the box, the Haitian international picked out Armstrong with a wonderfully weighted cross towards the back post and Armstrong hammered home the goal with a diving header.
The ‘Caps made it a high-flying five just shy of the hour mark, thanks to the Scottish connection once more. Armstrong played Gauld in-behind the Portland defence and the MLS All-Star got his hat-trick after an outstretched finish to complete a stellar individual display.
The 'Caps now get set for a rematch against LAFC, starting this coming Sunday, October 27 at BMO Stadium. Kickoff will be at 6:45 p.m. PT, live on TSN, FS1, free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and available to listen at CKNW.com and whitecapsfc.com.
The series then comes to BC Place for game two on Sunday, November 3 at 5:45 p.m. PT. Tickets will go on sale to the public at 12 p.m. PT on Thursday, October 24. For all ticket information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld
Attendance: 19,143
Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
Scoring Summary
20’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld
24’ – VAN – Brian White (Mathías Laborda, Ryan Gauld)
31’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld (Stuart Armstrong, Pedro Vite)
51’ – VAN – Stuart Armstrong (Fafa Picault, Pedro Vite)
59’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld (Stuart Armstrong, Sam Adekugbe)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 46.5% - POR 53.5%
Shots: VAN 11 - POR 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 8 - POR 4
Saves: VAN 4 - POR 3
Fouls: VAN 13 - POR 7
Offsides: VAN 6 - POR 0
Corners: VAN 6 - POR 6
Cautions
23’ – POR – Diego Chara
54’ – VAN – Yohei Takaoka
69’ – POR – Evander
85’ – POR – Kamal Miller
85’ – VAN – Ryan Raposo
*
Vancouver Whitecaps FC*
1.Yohei Takaoka; 2.Mathías Laborda, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 3.Sam Adekugbe; 45.Pedro Vite, 20.Andrés Cubas, 26.Stuart Armstrong (8.Alessandro Schöpf 63’); 11.Fafa Picault (19.Damir Kreilach 76’), 25.Ryan Gauld ©️ (7.Ryan Raposo 63’); 24.Brian White (28.Levonte Johnson 63’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik, 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 22.Ali Ahmed, 23.Déiber Caicedo
Portland Timbers
41.James Pantemis; 29.Juan Mosquera, 2.Miguel Araujo, 13.Dario Župarić (4.Kamal Miller HT), 5.Claudio Bravo (30.Santiago Moreno HT); 21.Diego Chara © (19.Eryk Williamson HT), 24.David Ayala; 11.Antony (15.Eric Miller 63’), 10.Evander, 14.Jonathan Rodríguez (20.Finn Surman 83’); 9.Felipe Mora
Substitutes not used
16.Maxime Crépeau, 22.Cristhian Paredes, 23.Mason Toye, 44.Marvin Loría
