Categories: MLSSeattle Sounders FCVancouver WhitecapsWestern Conference

Whitecaps rout Sounders in penultimate match

Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe

Vancouver Whitecaps 5-1 Seattle Sounders FC

VANCOUVER, BC–Seattle’s playoff hopes are in a spot of bother after being routed by Vancouver Whitecaps, 5-1, at BC Place. Vancouver had already clinched the Cascadia Cup in August and this is the first time since 2022 that Seattle had gone 0-4-0 against both Vancouver and Portland. Seattle is still ninth in the Western Conference table, but will fall to tenth if Portland defeat Houston later on Sunday night.

The Whitecaps had already clinched the top seed in the Western Conference after FC Dallas failed to defeat Sporting Kansas City on Saturday night, but they ended their regular season home slate in style.

They only took 57 seconds to go ahead. Brian White headed in Bruno Caicedo’s cross to put the Whitecaps ahead. Eight minutes later, Edier Ocampo found an unmarked Ryan Gauld in the box to double the Whitecaps’ advantage.

Gauld turned provider in the 43rd minute by sending a diagonal ball into the box that was headed in by Mathias Laborda. The Sounders made four subs at halftime, but none were super effective. Vancouver kept on scoring and added a fourth in the 53rd minute as Caicedo fed White for his 100th goal as a Whitecap.

Jordan Morris did net a consolation goal in the 62nd minute, but normal service resumed seven minutes later as Aleksa Cvetkovic slotted home to make it 5-1.

Vancouver concludes the regular season on Decision Day at Montreal (1pm PT, Apple TV), while Seattle will host LAFC and will likely need a win to boost their playoff hopes (4pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by Gerrit te Hennepe