Major League Soccer Gameweek 1
Vancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 FT Real Salt Lake
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
Zavier Gozo 33'
HT
50' Emmanuel Sabbi
57' A. Jackson
↓ Z. Booth ↑S. Solans 59'
68' ↓ A. Jackson ↑K. G. Cabrera Nakamura
68' ↓ E. Sabbi ↑E. Ocampo
↓ L. Moisa ↑P. Ruiz 72'
↓ A. Hezarkhani ↑D. Marczuk 72'
Sam Junqua 75'
82' Andrés Cubas
↓ D. Yedlin ↑P. Quinton 84'
↓ A. Piol ↑J. Barea 84'
87' ↓ A. Cubas ↑J. Badwal
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Vancouver Whitecaps
Goalkeepers
Yohei Takaoka 
MAGNET
49
Activity
49
Activity
44
Passes
5
Duels
Defenders
Mathías Laborda 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
58%
Duel Win %
Tristan Blackmon
MAGNET
88
Activity
88
Activity
77
Passes
11
Duels
Ralph Priso 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tate Johnson
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
80%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Sebastian Berhalter 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
56%
Pass Acc
Adrián Cubas 
ENFORCER
6
Tackles
6
Tackles
9
Duels Won
82%
Win %
Emmanuel Sabbi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Thomas Müller
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aziel Jackson 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Forwards
Brian White 
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
BENCH
Isaac Boehmer 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Mihail Gherasimencov
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Édier Ocampo 
PROVOCATEUR
2
Fouls Won
2
Fouls Won
2
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Sebastian Schonlau
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Oliver Larraz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
J. Ngando
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jeevan Badwal
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rayan Elloumi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kenji Cabrera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
22
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Real Salt Lake
Goalkeepers
Rafael Cabral
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
DeAndre Yedlin
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
85
Total Mins
84
Entry
Justen Glad
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sam Junqua
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Zavier Gozo
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Luca Moisa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
72
Total Mins
72
Entry
Noel Caliskan
ENFORCER
4
Tackles
4
Tackles
7
Duels Won
88%
Win %
Alexandros Katranis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Aiden Hezarkhani
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Ariath Piol
LATE SHIFT
6
Late Mins
6
Late Mins
84
Total Mins
84
Entry
Zach Booth
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Mason Stajduhar
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Philip Quinton
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
13
Total Mins
Started
Entry
R. Mesalles
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Ruiz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Griffin Dillon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tyler Wolff
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dominik Marczuk
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jesús Barea
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
14
Total Mins
Started
Entry
S. Solans
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
31
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05/25/2025 | Real Salt Lake | 2 - 3 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Major League Soccer | Rio Tinto Stadium |
| 05/04/2025 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 2 - 1 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | BC Place |
| 10/20/2024 | Real Salt Lake | 2 - 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Major League Soccer | America First Field |
| 03/23/2024 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 1 - 2 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | BC Place |
| 09/24/2023 | Real Salt Lake | 2 - 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Major League Soccer | America First Field |
| 02/26/2023 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 1 - 2 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | BC Place |
| 08/21/2022 | Real Salt Lake | 1 - 1 | Vancouver Whitecaps | Major League Soccer | Rio Tinto Stadium |
| 06/04/2022 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 2 - 1 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | BC Place Stadium |
| 08/30/2021 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 4 - 1 | Real Salt Lake | Major League Soccer | BC Place Stadium |
05/25/2025
05/04/2025
10/20/2024
03/23/2024
09/24/2023
02/26/2023
08/21/2022
06/04/2022
08/30/2021
Vancouver Whitecaps Win
Real Salt Lake Win
Draw
League Standings
| Pos | Team | P | Pts | GF | GA | GD | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose Earthquakes | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | +3 | WSan Jose Earthquakes 3 - 0 Sporting Kansas City (22-02-2026) |
| 2 | Seattle Sounders | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | +2 | WSeattle Sounders 2 - 0 Colorado Rapids (23-02-2026) |
| 3 | Vancouver Whitecaps | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | +1 | WVancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 Real Salt Lake (22-02-2026) |
| 4 | Minnesota United FC | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | DAustin 2 - 2 Minnesota United FC (22-02-2026) |
| 5 | Austin | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | DAustin 2 - 2 Minnesota United FC (22-02-2026) |
| 6 | Real Salt Lake | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -1 | LVancouver Whitecaps 1 - 0 Real Salt Lake (22-02-2026) |
| 7 | Colorado Rapids | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -2 | LSeattle Sounders 2 - 0 Colorado Rapids (23-02-2026) |
| 8 | Sporting Kansas City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -3 | LSan Jose Earthquakes 3 - 0 Sporting Kansas City (22-02-2026) |
P: 1 GD: +3
P: 1 GD: -3
League Standings
P: 24 GD: +30
P: 25 GD: +4
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 25 GD: +8
P: 25 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: +14
P: 25 GD: +1
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 25 GD: 0
P: 26 GD: -9
P: 24 GD: -2
P: 25 GD: -6
P: 25 GD: -12
P: 23 GD: -5
P: 24 GD: -33
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Vancouver Whitecaps
Real Salt Lake
Vancouver Whitecaps
Real Salt Lake
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Jackson's Strike Gives Vancouver the Edge in First Leg
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 30/100. Vancouver grinds out a vital home victory, setting the stage for a tense return leg in Utah.
Early Pressure at BC Place
Vancouver came out dictating the tempo on their home turf. Controlling possession (59%), the Whitecaps systematically pushed Real Salt Lake deep into their own half. The Intensity was palpable early on, driven by a series of set-pieces that saw the hosts rack up corner after corner in front of a loud crowd. Despite the mounting pressure and offensive waves, RSL's defense managed to hold firm. Goalkeeper Rafael Cabral was the undeniable standout for the visitors, making crucial stops to keep the game completely scoreless. Vancouver's midfield, orchestrated brilliantly by Sebastian Berhalter, continuously probed for openings, yet the final touch eluded them through the opening 45 minutes of action. The high Stakes of this first leg meant neither side wanted to leave themselves entirely exposed to a quick counterattack.
The Breakthrough Moment
The tactical stalemate finally shattered in the 57th minute. Vancouver Whitecaps dialed up the pressure in the attacking third, and their persistence ultimately paid off. A. Jackson found the back of the net, capitalizing on a slick phase of passing to ignite the stadium. The Balance of the match shifted instantly, forcing RSL to abandon their purely defensive posture and chase the game. Berhalter's vision was instrumental to the home side's rhythm, consistently threading passes through tight windows and logging four crucial key passes on the night. RSL tried desperately to push back, but their offensive output remained severely limited, managing just two shots on target overall. Cabral's continued heroics between the pipes ensured the deficit stayed at a single goal, preventing the tie from slipping out of reach entirely before the second leg.
Looking Ahead to Utah
As the final whistle blew at BC Place, the reality of this two-leg knockout tie set in completely. The 1-0 result gives Vancouver a crucial, albeit narrow, advantage heading into the September 20th return matchup. While the home crowd celebrated the hard-fought victory, the relatively modest Upset Factor reflects a game that played out mostly to form between two tightly matched Western Conference contenders. RSL will head back home knowing they are still very much alive in this elimination series, needing just one goal to level the aggregate score and force the issue. For Vancouver, the objective immediately shifts to defending their slim margin on the road, promising a highly dramatic conclusion when the teams clash again in the crucial second leg.
Key Questions
Who scored the decisive goal?
Aziel Jackson scored the winning goal in the 57th minute for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
When is the second leg of the tie?
The second leg will take place on September 20, 2026, at Real Salt Lake.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Archive note: this preview was written after the match was played.
Early Title Credentials on the Line in Vancouver
Skip It Futmetrix Score: 17/100. An explosive attacking mismatch that promises goals, even if the home side looks utterly dominant.
The Setup
The Vancouver Whitecaps welcome Real Salt Lake to BC Place this February 22, 2026, for a fixture that could set the early tone for the championship race. Despite it being only gameweek five, both sides are sitting near the summit. The hosts sit second with a ferocious attack, boasting a blistering Form rating driven by 14 goals in just five matches. They look terrifying going forward, sparked by the likes of B. White. Real Salt Lake hover in sixth, packing enough punch through creators like D. Luna to make this interesting. While the Stakes feel somewhat muted this early in the campaign, this matchup uniquely serves as the first half of a two-leg tie, with the return fixture scheduled for September 20 at Real Salt Lake. Expect fireworks, as a combined goal expectancy signals an absolute shootout, even with a modest Stars rating on the pitch.
Key Battle
The decisive clash lies between Vancouver's relentless attacking unit and Real Salt Lake's fragile back line. With the hosts generating immense pressure and converting chances at a frightening rate, the visitors' defensive structure will be stretched to its limits. If the away midfield cannot disrupt the tempo, it could be a long night for the visiting defense.
Our Prediction
Vancouver is the overwhelming favorite here, and for good reason. Their early-season attacking rhythm is simply too sharp. Expect the home side to pin their opponents deep, exploiting wide areas to secure a comfortable multi-goal victory before heading into the September return leg.