VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Monday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Mathías Laborda has been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following his performance in the club's 2-0 victory over Canadian rivals CF Montréal at BC Place.
Laborda helped the 'Caps secure their third straight win to begin the regular season, with the team accomplishing the feat for the first time in their MLS era. The Uruguayan defender scored his first goal of the season in the win, marking the first time he's scored at BC Place in his 'Caps career, with all his previous goals for the club coming on the road. Laborda also tallied seven successful duels won, five recoveries, four interceptions, three clearances, and 91% passing accuracy.
Laborda becomes the fourth 'Caps player to be named to the MLS Team of the Matchday this season, joining midfielder Pedro Vite (Matchday 1) as well as forwards Jayden Nelson (Matchday 1) and Brian White (Matchday 2).
F: Yuya Kubo (CIN), Hugo Cuypers (CHI), Anders Dreyer (SD)
M: Albert Rusnák (SEA), Yannick Bright (MIA), Jovan Lukic (PHI), Cedric Teuchert (STL)
D: Mathías Laborda (VAN), Michael Boxall (MIN), Andy Najar (NSH)
GK: Roman Bürki (STL)
Coach: Brian Schmetzer (SEA)
Bench: Carlos Coronel (RBNY), Noah Allen (MIA), Kai Wagner (PHI), Edvard Tagseth (NSH), Jonathan Shore (NYC), Kalani Kossa-Rienzi (SEA), Paul Rothrock (SEA),Tadeo Allende (MIA), Rafael Navarro (COL)
Next up, the Blue and White are set to hit the road for a pair of key away matches. The 'Caps begin the week with their eyes set on progressing to the quarterfinals of the Concacaf Champions Cup, as they face CF Monterrey in the second leg of the Round of 16 on Wednesday, March 12 at Corona Stadium in Torreón, Mexico. The two sides are deadlocked at 1-1 heading into Wednesday's tilt. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PT.
The 'Caps will then return to MLS action in the hopes of continuing their record start to the season, facing Western Conference rivals FC Dallas on Saturday, March 15 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. PT.
The Blue and White's next home match is set for Saturday, March 22 when they welcome Eastern Conference side Chicago Fire FC to BC Place in their first visit since 2022. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and tickets are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
