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Whitecaps Chase First MLS Cup Berth with Tough Road Test in San Diego

Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate beating the Los Angeles FC in a penalty shootout during the 2025 MLS Cup playoffs Semi-Finals

Summary:

  • The Vancouver Whitecaps will visit top-seeded San Diego FC on Saturday for the Western Conference final.
  • The Whitecaps reached the matchup after a dramatic shootout win over Los Angeles FC.
  • Vancouver has never beaten San Diego, who finished level on points but earned the higher seed.

The Vancouver Whitecaps are heading into the weekend with a big challenge in front of them. They’re on the road for the MLS Cup Western Conference final, and it’ll be played in San Diego after the top-seeded expansion side beat Minnesota United 1–0 on Monday.

That win sealed home-field advantage for Saturday’s matchup.

4-3 Win Against LAFC Sent Whitecaps to the Final

Both teams finished the regular season level on 63 points, but San Diego grabbed the higher seed thanks to one extra win. 

Vancouver booked its place in the final after a tense night at home against Los Angeles FC. The game swung late when LA scored in the 95th minute, just minutes after Tristan Blackmon was shown his second yellow card. 

Despite being down a man, the Whitecaps managed to hold on to their advantage and won the shootout 4–3.

This is a milestone moment for Vancouver, as it is the club’s first trip to a conference final since joining MLS in 2011. 

The chance for them to reach their first league title game is very much alive. San Diego, meanwhile, is looking to pull off something remarkable: reaching the MLS Cup final in its debut season.

Keeping Hope Alive 

For Canadian soccer fans, Toronto FC continues to be the only club from the country to reach the MLS Cup final, with its win in 2017 and runner-up finishes in 2016 and 2019. 

Vancouver hopes to join that short list, event though the job will be anything but easy. The Whitecaps have not yet defeated San Diego. Their first meeting in June ended in a wild 5–3 loss at B.C. Place, and it was followed by a 1–1 draw on the road the following month.

Saturday’s match sets up a clear storyline, with Vancouver chasing a breakthrough, and San Diego trying to extend its dream first season.

Author Kaus is a freelance football writer, who prior to producing content for betting.ca, has written for Calciomercato, TheseFootballTimes, GetGermanFootball News and Manchester Evening News.