Vancouver Whitecaps FC Open 2026 Season with Hard-Fought 1–0 Win at BC Place
The 2026 MLS season began with energy, noise, and expectation at BC Place as 23,546 fans watched Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeat Real Salt Lake 1–0 on Saturday night. It was not a perfect performance, but it was disciplined and determined — and in the end, that was enough.
The only goal of the match came in the 57th minute. New signing AZ Jackson scored in his home debut, marking his first goal for the club and the first goal at BC Place in 2026. After driving in from the left, he received the ball back and calmly curled a first-time shot into the bottom corner. The stadium erupted.
After the match, AZ reflected on the moment:
“It felt amazing — incredible atmosphere, great turnout by the fans, and I was just happy to get three points at home, first time. I just love to play football, wherever that is, and in spite of not having sleep or whatever the case may be, it doesn’t matter. I am just happy to be part of the group here.”
The first half had several close calls. Thomas Müller struck the post with a low shot, and Brian White’s rebound went over the crossbar. Real Salt Lake had a goal called back for offside. At halftime, the match remained scoreless.
There were strong German connections on the field. Müller, wearing the captain’s armband, worked closely in midfield with Sebastian Berhalter, who speaks fluent German. The understanding between them was visible — short passes, quick movement, and constant communication. Their cooperation helped control tempo and maintain structure, especially during tense moments late in the game.
Among the reserves was Sebastian Schonlau from Hamburg, another German presence in the squad, underlining the growing European influence within the club.
Whitecaps controlled 58.2% of possession and recorded 13 shots compared to Salt Lake’s 10. Still, fatigue showed at times after a demanding week and long travel back from Costa Rica. Head coach Jesper Sørensen admitted, “I think it was a very difficult game for us.” He explained the team tried to push hard in the second half, found momentum, and scored, but the final minutes were nervous as they debated whether to press forward or defend deeper.
Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka made a crucial save in the 89th minute to secure his first clean sheet of the season.
After the final whistle, the players held hands in a line, ran forward together, and jumped into the air — a celebration that has become more common since Müller’s arrival in 2025, symbolizing unity and shared effort.
Photographer’s Note:
Westcoast German News was present at BC Place for the second half. From field level, the teamwork between Müller and Berhalter stood out, and the post-match celebration showed a group that understands the value of hard-earned wins.
TAGS: VancouverWhitecaps, #MLS2026, #BCPlace, #WestcoastGermanNews, #ThomasMüller, #AZJackson #HomeOpener
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