How we Saw Vancouver Earn a Spot in the Play Offs in an Epic Night at Providence Park, a Photo Gallery.

Vanni Sartini coach of the MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC celebrate the victory with the reduced group of away fans after their 5-0 victory at Portland Timbers (Photo by Diego G Diaz).

The hype was set for another chapter of the rivalry between Portland Timbers and Vancouver Whitecaps and the first ten minutes delivered on the promise of a high stakes disputed chippy match, “this plus 90 minutes” I said to a fellow photographer, “it’s going to penalties” my colleague replied. That was the first 19 minutes, till Ryan Gauld  opened the scoring with the first of his three goals in minute 20. The rest is history, a legendary night for Vancouver, the sort of night that writes chants and songs, and bragging digs for years to come.

They have a couple days to enjoy it, play with all memes, and fun banter to their US rivals, but they’ll be facing one of the best MLS sides in 2024, LAFC, who finished in top of the Western Conference, led by 2018 World Cup winning forward, Oliver Giroud, and the possible return of Carlos Vela. Two players that will surely give them a lot more trouble than Timbers Rodriguez, Mora, or Anthony did last night.