VANCOUVER, BC – It's playoff time.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC will open the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs in the Wild Card match this coming Wednesday, October 23 against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT live on TSN, MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and available to listen at CKNW.com and whitecapsfc.com. Whitecaps FC 2024 playoffs are presented by BMO, PlayNow Sports and TELUS.
The 'Caps have posted a 2W-2L-1D record in their last five matches in Portland under head coach Vanni Sartini.
Ahead of this week's playoff opener, below are five memorable moments between the two sides at Providence Park.
This match proved to be an instant classic.
With end-to-end action, drama, stunning goals, and all-around lovely football from both teams, it was impossible to take your eyes off the game.
Pedro Morales scored twice, supplied Erik Hurtado for the third 'Caps goal, and played a perfect lofted cross-field ball to Jordan Harvey at the start of the second half, with the fullback unleashing a powerful left-footed strike into the bottom corner to make it 4-1 for the 'Caps.
The game continued to go back-and-forth, with Portland pulling two goals back in the latter stages, including a stunning volley from Canadian midfielder Will Johnson off a juggling assist from striker Fanendo Adi.
In the end, the 'Caps held on to secure their first-ever MLS win in Portland and wrote a chapter in the book of their Cascadia rivalries that will live long in the memory of many fans.
In the midst of a three-game week, the 'Caps looked to vault up the Western Conference table against an in-form Timbers side that were riding a 15-match unbeaten streak in MLS play.
Out of nowhere, the Blue and White took the 1-0 lead in the 14th minute. Kendall Waston had a free kick just inside the Timbers half of the pitch and timed a chipped ball to perfection for Kei Kamara to rise up from the top of the box to head the ball past Timbers goalkeeper Jeff Attinella, who found himself in no man's land.
The 'Caps already had one of their taller players on the pitch score with a header in Kamara, but this time it was the shortest figure in Cristian Techera who found the back of the net with a diving header to double the lead before halftime. Like Morales four years prior, Techera also celebrated in front of the Timbers Army, drawing a strong amount of boos from the crowd.
Portland pushed the 'Caps to the brink in the second half, eventually pulling one back via a successful spot kick from Valeri in the 71st minute.
It wasn't enough though, as the 'Caps walked away with all three points and halted the Timbers unbeaten streak to 15 matches.
Despite falling 3-1 on night, this match provided arguably the 'Caps best goal at Providence Park in the MLS era.
Following a corner from Fredy Montero, Homegrown forward Theo Bair latched onto a loose ball at the top of the box and hit a full volley into the back of the net for his first professional goal.
It was a moment he'll remember forever.
Many on the day were referring to it as similar technique to legendary Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimović, who at the time was playing for LA Galaxy.
Perhaps, the most memorable Portland match of them all.
However, the match itself wouldn't start in the most memorable fashion, as Portland scored twice in the first half to take a 2-0 lead into the break.
The 'Caps, who needed a win to stay on pace in the Western Conference playoff race, needed a moment of magic. In the 63rd minute, that moment of magic arrived via Déiber Caicedo, who ran from inside the 'Caps half all the way into the Portland box and fired a right footed shot into the bottom corner to give the 'Caps some life.
Caicedo was at the heart of the magic again roughly 10 minutes later, as he played a ball out wide to wingback Bruno Gaspar. While attempting to keep the ball in play, the Portuguese was able to slide a chipped cross into the box, which was empathically headed into the net by Brian White to bring the 'Caps level.
The Timbers had no answer to the Blue and White's press, eventually crumbling the match even further as Cristian Dájome went down in the box after a challenge from a Timbers defender, forcing the referee to call a penalty kick for the 'Caps.
With a chance to write another storied chapter in the history of the rivalry, Dájome stepped up and slotted his the game winner into the net to give the 'Caps a memorable 3-2, come-from-behind victory at Providence Park and cementing themselves topwards a postseason berth.
In the first of seven consecutive road matches, the 'Caps headed down to Portland, who were in the midst of turnover after parting ways with head coach Giovanni Savarese.
With the latter months of the regular season fast approaching, Vancouver looked to continue vaulting themselves up the Western Conference and Cascadia Cup standings.
The match also marked the first time Sam Adekugbe, Richie Laryea, and Ali Ahmed started a match together as a Canadian trio for the 'Caps.
The Blue and White got off to a bright start, with Ryan Gauld sliding home a loose ball from close range in the 13th minute right in front of the Timbers Army to make it 1-0.
Gauld was at the heart of the magic once again in the 36th minute. After being sent down the line by Ali Ahmed, Gauld delivered an inch-perfect ball into the box for White to dunk home and double the 'Caps advantage.
Portland got back into the match after the halftime interval through a Felipe Mora header but shortly after, the 'Caps were awarded a penalty kick as Richie Laryea was brought down in the box by Timbers attacking midfielder Evander.
Gauld calmly tucked away his brace to regain the two-goal lead and further extended his run as the league's leading goal contributor since May 31, 2023 with 15 (nine goals, six assists).
Portland would get a consolation goal through Evander but Vancouver held firm to claim another memorable result in the Rose City.
