- Whitecaps FC extended their club record MLS era unbeaten run to 14 matches across all competitions. They also extended their unbeaten run in MLS play to nine matches, which is now their second-longest unbeaten run in MLS play. The 'Caps longest unbeaten run in MLS play was a 10-match streak back in July-September 2021
- Whitecaps FC continue to sit atop the Western Conference standings with a 9W-1L-4D record and 31 points. The win also saw Whitecaps FC retain top spot in the MLS Supporters' Shield standings
- Whitecaps FC are now the lone unbeaten team away from home in MLS this season, posting a 4W-0L-3D record. The team has posted a 14W-8L-10D record on the road in MLS regular season play since August 26, 2023 for a total of 52 points
- This is only the third win Whitecaps FC have produced at America First Field as the road team, earning their first victory since September 19, 2020
- Brian White scored his 14th and 15th goals across all competitions in the match, becoming the first player in the club’s MLS era to record 15+ goals in three consecutive seasons. White is now at 71 goals across all competitions for Whitecaps FC and is eight away from equaling Jason Jordan for third all-time in goals scored and nine away from equaling John Catliff for second
- Brian White is now at 10 MLS goals this season, sitting second in the league's golden boot race
- Prior to his goal from the spot, Brian White became the third player in MLS history to reach 70 career regular season goals without attempting a single penalty kick (non-shootouts). Edson Buddle reached 70 goals in 2009 and Will Bruin scored his 70th in 2019
- Pedro Vite scored his fifth goal across all competitions this season. He is now at 11 goal contributions this season (five goals, six assists)
- Sebastian Berhalter has recorded eight goal contributions in his past eight appearances across all competitions (three goals, five assists). He is now at 10 goal contributions this season (four goals, six assists)
- Emmanuel Sabbi is now up to six goal contributions across all competitions this season (two goals, four assists)
SANDY, UT – Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed a thrilling, comeback victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday night, earning a 3-2 win at America First Field in Sandy, Utah and further extending their MLS era club-record unbeaten streak to 14 matches.
Real Salt Lake came out on the front foot, grabbing two goals early on thanks to Zavier Gozo and Diego Luna.
But the Blue and White responded strongly, settling into the match nicely and asking questions of Salt Lake's backline.
In the 20th minute, the 'Caps were rewarded for their efforts. Sebastian Berhalter whipped in a perfect corner kick into the path of Brian White, who headed home his 70th MLS regular season goal to give Vancouver some life. The pair, who combined have totalled 25 goal contributions this season, were called up to the United States men's national team this past week.
Just two minutes after, Berhalter once again put in a dangerous delivery from the same corner, this time finding Sam Adekugbe at the back post. The Canadian international saw his header inside the box bounce off the arm of Salt Lake forward William Agada. After a video review, a penalty kick was awarded to the 'Caps and dispatched calmly by White for the equalizer.
The end-to-end action continued in the first half, with Yohei Takaoka denying what looked like a sure tap-in for Gozo in the 32nd minute from close range. Agada got on the end of the loose ball afterwards, but saw his shot go agonizingly wide of the 'Caps goal.
The Blue and White then had a chance to take the lead five minutes later, as Ali Ahmed dribbled his way to the endline and found Berhalter inside the box. The midfielder took the shot first-time and narrowly made it 3-2 but Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafael Cabral stretched out to palm the effort away.
The teams would go into the halftime interval level at 2-2.
After the break, Berhalter once again caused problems for Salt Lake with his set piece delivery, as he crossed in another corner kick that found Tristan Blackmon at the back stick. The centre back directed his header across goal but it was cleared off the line by a Salt Lake defender before a Vancouver player could reach it.
It was the home sides turn to threaten shortly after, as Gozo put in a dangerous ball into the box but Takaoka denied Agada from close range.
The match continued to go end-to-end, as the 'Caps looked to take the lead. Following some tidy build up, Pedro Vite sent White in behind the Salt Lake backline with a brilliant, trivela ball. White's right-footed attempt was saved by Cabral, but his rebound found the feet of Jayden Nelson, who saw his shot go just over the bar.
Two minutes later, Ahmed once again caused problems inside the home side's box, and smartly found White open at the back post with a low cross. White thought he had his hat-trick, but Cabral denied him incredibly from close range.
Another 'Caps set piece from Berhalter saw White find the back of the net with a smart header, but the goal was chalked off for an apparent foul.
In stunning fashion, the Blue and White completed the comeback in the 90th minute, as Pedro Vite unleashed a beautiful left-footed curler that left Cabral sprawling.
Vancouver saw out the rest of the match to maintain their advantage at the top of the Western Conference and retake the lead in the MLS Supporters' Shiled race. The result also saw the 'Caps extend their unbeaten streak across all competitions to 14 and stay as the lone unbeaten team on the road in MLS play this season.
The 'Caps will now quickly change their focus towards a crucial mid-week Western Conference clash against Minnesota United FC on Wednesday, May 28 at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance: 20,034
Referee: Filip Dujic
Scoring Summary
1’ – RSL – Zavier Gozo (Diego Luna)
4’ – RSL – Diego Luna
20’ – VAN – Brian White (Sebastian Berhalter)
25’ – VAN – Brian White (penalty kick)
90’ – VAN – Pedro Vite (Emmanuel Sabbi)
Statistics
Possession: RSL 47.1% - VAN 52.9%
Shots: RSL 15 - VAN 14
Shots on Goal: RSL 6 - VAN 6
Saves: RSL 3 - VAN 4
Fouls: RSL 16 - VAN 12
Offsides: RSL 4 - VAN 2
Corners: RSL 8 - VAN 6
Cautions
45+4’ – RSL – William Agada
59’ – RSL – Noel Caliskan
62’ – RSL – Dominik Marczuk
65’ – RSL – Alexandros Katranis
77’ – VAN – Ali Ahmed
83’ – VAN – Ralph Priso
90+4’ – RSL – Emeka Eneli
Real Salt Lake
1.Rafael Cabral; 92.Noel Caliskan (19.Bode Hidalgo 81'), 4.Brayan Vera (26.Philip Quinton 56'), 15.Justen Glad, 98.Alexandros Katranis (29.Sam Junqua 71'); 7.Pablo Ruiz (6.Braian Ojeda 71'), 14.Emeka Eneli; 11.Dominik Marczuk, 8.Diego Luna, 72.Zavier Gozo; 9.William Agada (23.Ariath Piol 71')
Substitutes not used
31.Mason Stajduhar, 13.Nelson Palacio, 39.Aiden Hezarkhani, 77.Johnny Russell
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 18.Édier Ocampo (2.MathÃas Laborda 81'), 33.Tristan Blackmon, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik, 3.Sam Adekugbe (28.Tate Johnson 68'); 45.Pedro Vite, 13.Ralph Priso (26.J.C. Ngando 85'), 16.Sebastian Berhalter; 22.Ali Ahmed (14.Daniel RÃos 85'), 24.Brian White ©, 7.Jayden Nelson (11.Emmanuel Sabbi 68')
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 27.Giuseppe Bovalina, 59.Jeevan Badwal
