For Vancouver, Saturday Was a Day Where Demons Were Exorcised. With LAFC Vanquished, the Sky’s the Limit

In what was probably the most insane MLS Cup playoff game in recent memory, the Vancouver Whitecaps successfully got over the hump that is LAFC in the postseason. While the game itself and the resulting confidence boost is important, how the team proceeds is going to be more crucial in their hopes of winning the MLS Cup.

(Image Credit to The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck)

Throughout the MLS Cup second round game between Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC, I probably counted a good three demons exorcised by the Vancouver-based club in what was arguably the biggest win in franchise history. 

For the past few seasons, LAFC has been a powerhouse. Most notably, the club made two of the last three MLS Cup finals, while winning one of them. 

They’ve also been a thorn in the side of the Vancouver Whitecaps in recent postseasons. Two years ago, LAFC swept the Whitecaps in a best-of-three first-round series en route to a second consecutive MLS Cup Final. Last season, Vancouver was able to force a deciding third game after beating LAFC 3-0 at BC Place in Game 2 of their first round series, however LAFC was able to win that Game 3 by a 1-0 decision. 

So heading into Saturday’s second-round game at BC Place, it was safe to assume that Vancouver was looking for revenge in addition to their first-ever Western Conference Finals berth. 

And throughout the first half, the Whitecaps played like they wanted to earn their keep against LAFC. They ramped up the pressure on the attacking side of the ball for much of the first thirty minutes, however LAFC was able to hold on defensively. Then, a deep ball from Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka sent winger Emmanuel Sabbi behind the LAFC backline, giving him a chance to chip the ball over LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris for the 1-0 advantage after forty minutes of play. 

Following the goal, LAFC did well to respond, attempting to move the ball up the field and forcing Thomas Müller into a yellow card. 

Even then, the Whitecaps kept pushing in the other direction. A corner from upstart British-American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter gave Thomas Müller an opportunity to head the ball towards goal; despite being saved by Lloris, right-back Mathias Laborda was able to put home the rebound to make it 2-0 for the Whitecaps. 

Heading into halftime, it seemed like Vancouver was in dreamland. They stunned LAFC, they kept Los Angeles’ stars Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga out of the action for the vast majority of the first half, and they had a sizable lead heading into the break. 

Wait, did I mention Son Heung-min and Denis Bouanga?

I’m honestly surprised it’s taken me this long to mention them. Then again, the Apple TV broadcasters weren’t exactly on the ball when it came to mentioning them. 

Anyways, with the second half kicking off, LAFC would need their superstar frontmen to try and find the back of the net if there was to be any chance of an epic comeback. 

And find the back of the net they would. At the hour mark, LAFC would capitalize on some final-third chaos and methodical possession, with Son Heung-min eventually putting away the loose ball for his club’s first goal of the second round tie. 

While LAFC would ramp the pressure up, the Whitecaps were able to put themselves in position to seal the game late with a strong defensive effort. But Son Heung-min would once again rise to the occasion, burying a stoppage-time free kick to level the score at 2-2 and send the match to extra time. 

At this point, BC Place was rattled and LAFC’s superstars had come to life. In extra time, LAFC dominated possession. Vancouver’s substitutions and eventual nine-man squad did them no favours, however they were able to remain compact defensively and shut the door on LAFC several times. When the whistle blew to end extra time, the crowd roared as if the Whitecaps had won the game. 

Vancouver had their chances to win. But unlike past occasions, this time, the Whitecaps succeeded in forcing LAFC to go the distance. 

Heading into penalties? It was anyone’s game. 

Son Heung-min went first, but a noticeable limp forced his shot off the post and out. And like they had won the game, Whitecaps fans could be heard cheering at incredible volume. 

Next up was young American midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, who recently played a considerable role in his country’s 5-1 win over Uruguay in a friendly. Unlike Son Heung-min, Berhalter scored his team’s first penalty kick, burying his shot past the diving Hugo Lloris and into the bottom-left corner. 

Denis Bouanga would step up to level the score on LAFC’s second penalty, while Jayden Nelson responded in kind to make it 2-1 Vancouver after two kicks each. 

Marco Delgado would step up next for LAFC, but would put his chance over the bar and into the stands. If you watch the replay of the penalty back, you’ll see Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka celebrating and smiling as if he witnessed the “Let’s Impersonate Harry Kane vs France in 2022 Contest.”

Up next came veteran Whitecap Ryan Gauld, who had been with Vancouver for each of their two previous playoff losses to LAFC. With the chance to take a commanding advantage in the shootout, he would put home his penalty to give his side a 3-1 edge in the penalty shootout. 

With two kicks left for both LAFC and the Whitecaps, Vancouver could taste vengeance. One penalty scored by their own or saved by Yohei Takaoka, and they would be through. 

Neither would happen in the next round. Andrew Moran would put his chance home for LAFC, while Edier Ocampo would see his shot saved by Hugo Lloris. 

And the stress continued into the final round of penalties, with Frankie Amaya scoring to level the penalty shootout at 3-3. 

But with Vancouver still needing to contest their final penalty shot, Mathias Laborda would step up and score the final chance, giving Vancouver a 4-3 win in the penalty shootout. 

And with the win came the exorcism of LAFC, their first triumph over their newfound rivals in the postseason. It also represented their first Western Conference Final in franchise history. 

Moving forward, Vancouver can celebrate and wait in anticipation of their Western Conference Final tie against San Diego FC. Considering that San Diego is a side that is more than capable of both winning games in possession and when scoring multiple goals, the Whitecaps will have to ensure that they bring their A game, particularly with regard to their attack, if they are to advance to the MLS Cup Final. 

Regardless of how Saturday’s Western Conference Final goes at the Snapdragon Stadium, one thing is clear for Vancouver: the sky is the limit. 

Vanquishing LAFC after years of trying should easily be seen as an achievement and as a massive confidence boost for a Whitecaps side that, outside of Thomas Müller, lacked single-game elimination experience to this point, particularly when it comes to being on the winning side of such games. Earning such experience will be of massive benefit going up against a San Diego side led by Anders Dreyer, who scored the winner in San Diego FC’s MLS Cup second round tie against Minnesota United, and Hirving Lozano; both have significant single-game elimination experience to their names alone.  

Saturday will surely be a movie. But the celebrations leading up to the game will be equally memorable. 

Vancouver deserves this. 

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Article written by Noah Guttman © Noah Guttman 2025