Saving the best for last: Looking back at the 'Caps best moments from MLS regular season home finales

VANCOUVER, BC – Just like that, we're in the endgame of another MLS regular season. With that comes another regular season home finale at BC Place.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (13W-11L-8D) are set to host LAFC (17W-8L-7D) this Sunday, October 13 in this year's final regular season home game and Fan Appreciation Match, presented by Chevrolet.

Over the years, the 'Caps have produced many memorable moments in their home finales, some that many still talk about to this day. From playoff-clinching performances to stunning strikes from distance, you can always count on a special moment happening in the final home match of the regular season.

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Before we look back at the top five, honourable mentions go out to our 3-0 victory over Houston Dynamo FC in 2015, which saw Kekuta Manneh, Kendall Waston, and Robert Earnshaw get on the scoresheet to clinch a second-place finish in the Western Conference, as well as Ali Ahmed's perfectly-timed volley against LAFC in 2023, which featured a celebration nod to long-time 'Caps midfielder Russell Teibert.

In chronological order from oldest to most recent, here are the 'Caps best moments from MLS regular season home finales.

Going into the final matchday of the 2013 regular season, Camilo Sanvezzo sat second in the MLS Golden Boot race with 19 goals, while Chicago Fire forward Mike Magee led the way with 20 goals.

Earlier in the day, Magee scored his 21st goal of the season in the Fire's 5-2 loss against New York Red Bulls. This meant Camilo had to score a hat-trick in the 'Caps final match of the season against Colorado Rapids to win the Golden Boot outright. Only Kekuta Manneh had previously scored a hat-trick for the 'Caps in MLS play, which had only happened a couple weeks prior to the Colorado match.

Of course, the Brazilian went out and got his hat-trick in superb fashion.

The first goal came from the spot, with a special celebration to honour fullback Young-Pyo Lee in his final match before retiring. Meanwhile, the second showcased the Camilo's flair on the ball by nutmegging his defender and calmly side-footing the ball past the goalkeeper into the bottom corner. The ever-important third came with a record-breaking assist off the toe of Russell Teibert, who at the time set a record for most assists by a Vancouver player in a season. Camilo then unleashed a powerful volley into the net, sending BC Place into a frenzy.

The forward became the first-ever 'Caps player to win the Golden Boot and the first player from a Canadian team to win the prestigious award.

A year after Camilo's magical night, the 'Caps once again found themselves ending the regular season at BC Place against Colorado. However, this time there was a playoff spot on the line for Carl Robinson's squad.

The scenario was simple - win and you're in.

After threatening the Rapids' goal for much of the match, including an incredible hit off the crossbar from Manneh, the Blue and White earned a corner in the 70th minute.

Pedro Morales whipped in a cross at pace towards the near post, which was met by a rising Kendall Waston. The Costa Rican centre back, who joined Vancouver a couple months earlier, saw his header bounce into the goal to give the 'Caps the 1-0 lead they were craving for.

It ended up being the gamewinner, sending the 'Caps to the postseason for the second time in their MLS era.

Despite being out of the playoff race in 2016, Vancouver still aimed to once again cement themselves as Cascadia's best.

With a victory over rivals Portland Timbers on Decision Day, the 'Caps would secure their third Cascadia Cup in the last four seasons. However, the twist in this situation was it required a big win to beat the Timbers in the Cascadia Cup standings due goal differential.

The 'Caps got off to a flying start, as Giles Barnes thundered home a left-footed half-volley from the top of the box to score his first goal for the club.

It wouldn't take long for Barnes to score his second. The Jamaican international smoothly tucked in a curled finish in the 32nd minute to earn a first half brace.

The elusive third goal arrived shortly after halftime. In what proved to be his final match for the club, Morales unleashed a powerful, dipping strike into the top corner to give the 'Caps a 3-0 lead and put them in pole position to lift the Cascadia Cup.

A minute later, Nicolas Mezquida made sure the fans continued celebrating in the stands as he grabbed Vancouver's fourth of the day with a cool finish in the box.

Diego Valeri grabbed a consolation goal for the Timbers from the spot, but it was the 'Caps who stood victorious with another Cascadia Cup in their cabinet. As if that wasn't enough, the victory also saw Portland eliminated from playoff contention. How sweet.

In 2018, the 'Caps also ended their regular season with a Decision Day clash against the Timbers.

With his end-of-season move to global giants FC Bayern Munich sealed, the clash marked Alphonso Davies' final match with the 'Caps before jetting off to Germany on a journey that's seen him become one of the world's best in his position.

The roadrunner went out onto the pitch for the 'Caps one last time and made sure he gave BC Place a proper farewell.

Davies scored a first-half brace with a pair of left-footed strikes four minutes apart to give the 'Caps a 2-0 advantage heading into the break.

The first goal saw him pick up the ball in his own half and slalom through Portland's midfield before thundering the ball into the net from the top of the box - showcasing the directness and pace that made fans get off their seats many a time during his tenure with the first team.

Meanwhile, the second goal showcased a different skill of Phonzie's. His composure. Despite it being a gift from the Timbers defence, Davies made sure to remain calm and curled home a mature finish to earn his brace.

In the second half, the crowd honoured Davies in the 67th minute with a standing ovation. Funnily enough, Davies had a chance to notch his hat-trick at the same time, almost getting on the end of a Kei Kamara cross.

Davies was then subbed out of the match to another standing ovation, closing the chapter on the start of his career with the 'Caps and beginning a new era in Europe with some of the world's best.

Our final moment is from 2021, with the 'Caps facing Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC in a do-or-die Decision Day clash to earn themselves a spot in the playoffs.

Despite going down early to a successful penalty kick from former striker Fredy Montero, the 'Caps started the match lively with the support of a strong crowd at BC Place.

The 'Caps would reap the rewards of their good start in the 20th minute.

After Cristián Gutiérrez whipped a cross into the box, Brian White was able to flick a piece of the ball high in the box. A curious Ryan Gauld was also in the box. The Scotsman, who was already impressing in the midst of his first season with the club, came up with another clutch moment as he nodded his header past Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei and in off the post to tie the match at 1-1.

With other results going their way, a draw was enough for the 'Caps to earn a spot in the postseason.

However, the Sounders had other ideas and came close to scoring in the latter stages of the match.

Seattle whipped a free kick into the Vancouver box, which was headed on by a trio of Sounders players with the ball eventually falling to the feet of Montero in front of the net. Out came goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau to literally keep the 'Caps in a playoff spot by denying the former 'Caps striker from point blank range.

Shortly after, the final whistle blew to send the BC Place crowd into a frenzy as head coach Vanni Sartini earned a playoff berth in his debut season. Celebrations went long into the night as the Blue and White clinched their first trip to the playoffs since 2017.

Be there for the 'Caps 2024 MLS regular season home finale against LAFC this Sunday, October 13 at BC Place. Tickets to the match are still available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.