Jayden Nelson and Pedro Vite named to MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 1

VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Monday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Jayden Nelson and midfielder Pedro Vite have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following their performances in the club's regular season opener against Portland Timbers.

Nelson, who was making his MLS debut for the 'Caps, tallied a goal and three assists in the match, becoming only the second player in the club's history to accomplish the feat, joining Alphonso Davies (June 9, 2018). He also became the fourth Whitecaps FC player to record four goal contributions in a match (Pedro Morales on June 1, 2014, Davies on June 9, 2018 and July 28, 2018, Ryan Gauld on October 23, 2024) and the third player in MLS history to record four goal contributions in his team debut, joining Brian Ching (four goals) and Dwayne De Rosario (four assists) for Houston Dynamo FC on April 2, 2006. In addition to the historic milestones, Nelson posted three successful duels won, three successful dribbles, five chances created, and 84% passing accuracy.

Meanwhile, Vite scored the Blue and White's second on the day, unleashing a beautiful left-footed strike into the bottom corner to give the 'Caps a 2-0 advantage at the break. Vite also recorded the joint-most successful tackles in the match with three, two chances created, three recoveries, six successful duels won, and 84% passing accuracy.

The 'Caps were one of three teams this week to have two or more players named to the Team of the Matchday. Last season, Vancouver had 10 different players selected to Team of the Matchday, including captain Ryan Gauld who lead the way with 10 selections (Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 17, Matchday 18, Matchday 20, Matchday 24, Matchday 26, Matchday 30, Matchday 32), followed by forward Brian White (Matchday 5, Matchday 11, Matchday 23, Matchday 26), defender Ranko Veselinović (Matchday 8, Matchday 27, Matchday 33), forward Fafa Picault (Matchday 7, Matchday 28). goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (Matchday 8, Matchday 24), midfielder Alessandro Schöpf (Matchday 8), forward Ali Ahmed (Matchday 4), defender Mathías Laborda (Matchday 24), Vite (Matchday 30), and defender Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 31).

F: Anders Dreyer (SD), Emmanuel Latte Lath (ATL), Lionel Messi (MIA)
M: Diego Rossi (CLB), Brian Gutiérrez (CHI), Boris Enow (DC), Jayden Nelson (VAN)
D: Brayan Ceballos (NE), Miles Robinson (CIN), Rodrigues (SJ)
GK: Zack Steffen (COL)

Coach: Mikey Varas (SD)

Bench: Daniel (SJ), Marlon (LAFC), Cristian Espinoza (SJ), Pedro Vite (VAN), Marco Pašalić (ORL), Tai Baribo (PHI), Jordan Morris (SEA), Petar Musa (DAL), Kévin Denkey (CIN)

All eyes will now be on leg two of Round One of Concacaf Champions Cup action. The 'Caps will look to erase a 2-1 deficit at BC Place this Thursday, February 27, with the winner of the tie moving on to the quarterfinals to face LIGA MX giants CF Monterrey. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. PT.

The Blue and White will then host their MLS home opener, presented by TELUS, against defending MLS Cup champions Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday, March 2 at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT.

Tickets for both matches are still available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.