We don't need to talk about the end result, there is still a final to be played on Saturday.
But there are many similarities between the 1979 Whitecaps and this year's 2025 edition, and how their magical runs have unfolded.
As the saying goes, history doesn't always repeat itself but it often rhymes.
From 1976-1978, the 'Caps made the NASL playoffs three years in a row. In 1976 and 1977 they got knocked out in the first round, and in 1978 there were high hopes before falling in the quarterfinals. A core of players such as Phil Parkes, Bob Lenarduzzi, Buzz Parsons, Bob Bolitho, Kevin Hector and others had stayed together. It wasn't until 1979, with a few more key additions, that they finally took their big leap forward in the postseason. Progress was also made in the stands, with crowds growing year after year.
For these current 'Caps, it had been three playoff appearances in the past four seasons heading into this year. Over the past two seasons, they were twice eliminated by LAFC, but were clearly making progress, and were perhaps unlucky not to advance in 2024 during their three-game series. Finally, in 2025, there was a breakthrough, making their deep run in these playoffs to MLS Cup. And fans have come out in big numbers to support.
One of the first things you always hear about that 1979 team is how likeable they were. From coach Tony Waiters, to goalkeeper Phil "Lofty" Parkes, hardnosed John Craven, local talent, clutch strikers Trevor Whymark and Kevin Hector, and future club legends like Bob Lenarduzzi and Carl Valentine. They were likeable, they were good, and they were deep.
So much of the same can be said about these 2025 'Caps. The city has fallen in love with head coach Jesper Sørensen, and every member of this "next man up" team. Sebastian Berhalter's passion, Andrés Cubas' tenacity, Ryan Gauld's heart, Brian White's work rate. You name it. This team is talented, committed, and at the heart of the community.
Just a young lad who came in from England in 1979, Carl Valentine wowed fans. The Two One was a joy to watch, speeding down the wing past defenders. He would eventually go on to represent Canada at the 1986 FIFA World Cup.
Today, you have not one but two excellent Canadian wingers who are a nightmare to defend. Ali Ahmed is finally getting his flowers as perhaps the toughest dribbler to mark in MLS. Jayden Nelson is lightning in a bottle. Both players have been representing Canada all year, looking to earn their World Cup place in 2026.
Ask anyone from that 1979 team, and they will tell you that they had a really great team who could compete with anyone. But the leader who took them over the top? That was midseason addition Alan Ball, a FIFA World Cup winner with England in 1966, and a celebrated player who excelled with Everton and Arsenal. His ability to control games and provide leadership took the whole group to another level.
This year? The 2025 'Caps brought in their own FIFA World Cup winner in German legend Thomas Müller. The Blue and White were already playing extremely well, and competing at the top of MLS while making the final of the Concacaf Champions Cup. But the addition of Müller has had the same impact as Alan Ball, and helped elevate this group to new levels.
1979
Conference Quarterfinals vs. Dallas Tornado - Vancouver won the series 2-0
Conference Semifinals vs. Los Angeles Aztecs (led by the legendary Johan Cruyff) - Vancouver won the series in a tiebreaking mini game
2025
Round One vs. FC Dallas - Vancouver won the series 2-0
Conference Semifinals vs. Los Angeles FC (spurred on by superstar Son Heung-Min) - Vancouver won the series in a shootout after extra time
...eerie
In 1979, it came in the Conference Championship against New York Cosmos. This was a glamorous team that had become a heated rival of the 'Caps. In the NASL days, each team hosted a match, and if the series was split after the second game it would immediately go to a 30-minute mini game. That was the case in this series, and the winner was still not decided until finally ending with a shootout. It is still remembered as perhaps the greatest NASL encounter of all-time. The entire affair took three-and-a-half hours.
Fastforward to 2025, and we were again bestowed an all-time classic. This time, it was once again against a glamour team in LAFC, one that had become an arch-nemesis for the 'Caps. No one will ever forget this night in front of 53,957 fans at BC Place. The epic match saw the 'Caps take a 2-0 lead, then LAFC fire back 2-2, and after extra time couldn't decide things with the Blue and White down to nine men, finally the 'Caps won in a shootout. It was an emotional rollercoaster that left fans in awe of the spectacle they had just witnessed.
In 1979, it was those Cosmos who were the star-driven side of the NASL. It was the club of Pele, the world's greatest player, before he retired after the 1977 season. They were still led by a plethora of global stars, like Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Neeskens, Carlos Alberto, and Giorgio Chinaglia. Despite all that talent, the 'Caps beat the Cosmos 4-1 and 4-2 in the regular season before meeting again in the playoffs.
Today that team is Inter Miami CF, who the 'Caps will face in MLS Cup on Saturday. They are led by Lionel Messi, with the likes of Sergio Busquets, Jordi Alba, Luis Suárez, and Rodrigo De Paul.
Will history repeat itself?
So the 'Caps will face a team from Florida in this 2025 MLS Cup.
That was also the case in 1979, as they took on the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Just add it to this list of coincidences.
Part of what made that 1979 final so special were the hundreds of traveling supporters from Vancouver. It was no small trip to New York, but they made it, and they were there to celebrate the 'Caps.
That passion still lives today, and it is back and better than ever. More than 1,500 fans are expected to be at Chase Stadium on Saturday to support Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
And another memorable day awaits.