Whitecaps Qualify for Playoffs Despite Portland Draw

Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 Portland Timbers

VANCOUVER, BC–The quest for the Cascadia Cup will continue onto at least Wednesday, but the playoff spot has been clinched. The Whitecaps drew with the Portland Timbers, 1-1, at BC Place on Saturday. Portland is now one win away from clinching a playoff spot themselves with results elsewhere on Saturday.

The Whitecaps got off to a fast start as Sebastian Berhalter sent a low cross where a dummy by Fafa Picault allowed Brian White to tap in for the opening score in the third minute. Picault nearly made it 2-0 with a wide open header that went over the bar.

Portland stopped up their attack midway through the first half forcing Yohei Takaoka to make save after save. However, the Timbers broke through in the 43rd minute as Santiago Moreno sent a diagonal ball to Jonathan Rodriguez whose shot took a deflection off Bjorn Inge Utvig and past a despairing Takaoka for the equalizer.

Jonathan Rodriguez celebrates the equalizer as Yohei Takaoka despairs. Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

White had a golden chance in the 52nd minute to restore the Whitecaps’ advantage as he was in alone on Maxime Crepeau’s goal, but his shot would go off the post and out. Felipe Mora had a headed opportunity to give the Timbers the lead that also went off the woodwork. Andres Cubas also shot one that grazed the post late for the hosts. It would be honors even at the end.

Vancouver has clinched a playoff spot and will claim the Cascadia Cup for the second year running if they defeat the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday night (7:30pm PT, Apple TV) at BC Place. They are also three points out of the top four with a match in hand, though being on the road may not be the worst thing as they are one of four teams in MLS who have amassed more points on the road than at home (Houston, Minnesota, and Philadelphia).

Portland will clinch a playoff spot on Wednesday if they defeat Austin at home (7:30pm PT, Apple TV) or if FC Dallas fail to defeat San Jose that night. The Cascadia Cup is not out of reach yet for the Timbers, but they need the Sounders to prevent the Whitecaps from winning on Wednesday and then beat the Sounders on October 19th to win the Cup. The Sounders need to win both at BC Place on Wednesday and on October 19th at Lumen Field against the Timbers (which is also Decision Day) to win the Cup themselves.

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos, please click on the link to his gallery.