- With the win, Whitecaps FC maintain their lead at the top of the MLS Supporters' Shield and Western Conference standings with 23 points (7W-1L-2D). The 'Caps are seven points ahead of second-placed Austin FC in the West
- Whitecaps FC extended their unbeaten road recorded to five matches to begin the year (3W-0L-2D). It's the best five-game start on the road in the club's MLS era
- On his 100th MLS appearance (including playoffs), Pedro Vite scored his second and third goals this season, all coming in MLS play. The Ecuadorian international is now up to eight goal contributions across all competitions this season (three goals, five assists)
- Sebastian Berhalter netted his third goal across all competitions this season (MLS 1, CCC 2), scoring for a second consecutive match
- Ali Ahmed recorded his fifth assist across all competitions this season (MLS 4, CCC 1)
- J.C. Ngando recorded his second and third assists of the season, all coming in MLS play
- Giuseppe Bovalina recorded his first VWFC and MLS assist
- Emmanuel Sabbi recorded his second assist and fourth goal contribution across all competitions this season (two goals, two assists)
- Daniel RÃos recorded his third assist and fourth goal contribution across all competititons this season (one goal, three assists)
- Surrey, BC native Jeevan Badwal made his first VWFC and MLS start
ST. PAUL, MN – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-1L-2D) continued their best start in their MLS era with a dominant 3-1 victory over Minnesota United FC (4W-2L-4D) at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota on Sunday.
A belter from Sebastian Berhalter, along with a Pedro Vite brace, ensured that the Blue and White stayed white-hot in the standings, maintaining their lead at the top of the MLS Supporters' Shield and Western Conference standings.
The first half saw both teams get physical as they searched for the opening goal, exchanging possession but not finding the opening goal.
In the second half, the ’Caps took the game to the Loons.
Shortly after the break, substitute Sebastian Berhalter put a perfect cross onto the boots of striker Daniel RÃos, who saw his volleyed effort from close range denied by Minnesota goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who pawed away the glorious chance.
On the ensuing play, Giuseppe Bovalina made the most of his first start of 2025. He hustled to chase down a loose ball at the corner of the box. Then, his low ball across the box found Berhalter, who put a 20-yard screamer into the top right corner.
Berhalter’s sublime strike was initially ruled offside. However, a VAR review overturned the on-field call, giving the 'Caps the 1-0 advantage.
Ten minutes later, Pedro Vite finished off an exquisite three-way passing play. A RÃos chip to J.C. Ngando led to a through ball for Vite. The onrushing Ecuadorian international noticed St. Clair off his line and cheekily lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper’s head for a 2-0 lead.
Vite collected a brace from the top the of the box shortly after, when he clinically finished off an Ali Ahmed left-footed ball across goal to make it 3-0.
The Loons got on the board in the 80th minute, as Wil Trapp steered home a volley from close range.
Emmanuel Sabbi almost made it four in the closing stages of the match, as he got in behind Minnesota's backline and unleashed a powerful strike on goal that was confidently parried away by St. Clair.
Next up for the Blue and White, a chance at history. The ’Caps will now head to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for the decisive second leg of their Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal against Inter Miami CF at Chase Stadium on Wednesday, April 30. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT. Vancouver, who carry a 2-0 advantage on aggregate heading into the match, will make their first-ever visit to Chase Stadium. Catch the match live on OneSoccer, FuboTV, and TELUS channel 980.
The winner of Wednesday's clash will advance to the Concacaf Champions Cup final to face either Mexican side Cruz Azul or Tigres UANL. The champion of the tournament will move on to the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup and qualify for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup.
Whitecaps FC return home to BC Place on Saturday, May 3, when they host Real Salt Lake in MLS action. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance: 18,851
Referee: Drew Fischer
Scoring Summary
55’ – VAN – Sebastian Berhalter (Giuseppe Bovalina, Emmanuel Sabbi)
66’ – VAN – Pedro Vite (J.C. Ngando, Daniel RÃos)
70’ – VAN – Pedro Vite (Ali Ahmed, J.C. Ngando)
80' – MIN – Wil Trapp (Tani Oluwaseyi)
Cautions
9’ – VAN – Ralph Priso
76’ – VAN – Sebastian Berhalter
Statistics
Possession: VAN 59% - MIN 41%
Shots: VAN 9 - MIN 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 - MIN 3
Saves: VAN 2 - MIN 2
Fouls: VAN 10 - MIN 14
Offsides: VAN 0 – MIN 1
Corners: VAN 4 - MIN 3
Minnesota United FC
97.Dayne St. Clair; 8.Joseph Rosales, 5.Nicolás Romero, 15.Michael Boxall, 67.Carlos Harvey (27.D.J. Taylor 64’), 21.Bongokuhle Hlongwane (90.Loïc Mesanvi 85’) ; 26.JoaquÃn Pereyra (19.Samuel Shashoua 75’), 20.Wil Trapp, 17.Robin Lod (22.Jeong Ho-Yeon 75’); 9.Kelvin Yeboah (7.Jeong Sang-Bin 64’), 14.Tani Oluwaseyi
Substitutes not used
1.Alec Smir, 13.Anthony Markanich, 23.Morris Duggan, 28.Jefferson DÃaz
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 27.Giuseppe Bovalina, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik (33.Tristan Blackmon 85’), 4.Ranko Veselinović ©, 3.Sam Adekugbe (28.Tate Johnson HT); 59.Jeevan Badwal (45.Pedro Vite 63’), 13.Ralph Priso (16.Sebastian Berhalter HT), 26.J.C. Ngando; 11.Emmanuel Sabbi, 14.Daniel RÃos, 7.Jayden Nelson (22.Ali Ahmed 63’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 12.Belal Halbouni, 18.Édier Ocampo, 24.Brian White
