Vancouver Clinches First Western Conference Title, Advances to MLS Cup Final
- Jonathan Turner
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
SAN DIEGO — A spectacular season reached new heights for Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday night, as a 3-1 victory over expansion side San Diego FC at Snapdragon Stadium secured the club’s first Western Conference championship and a place in MLS Cup 2025 presented by Audi.
In just his second appearance since late September, U.S. men’s national team striker Brian White delivered a first-half brace. Canadian international Ali Ahmed recorded two assists and forced the own goal that doubled Vancouver’s lead.
With the win, the Whitecaps advance to face Eastern Conference champion Inter Miami CF in MLS Cup on Dec. 6 (2:30 p.m. ET | MLS Season Pass on Apple TV; FOX, FOX Deportes; TSN, RDS). Both clubs will be competing for their first Philip F. Anschutz Trophy.
Fast Start Powers Vancouver
Vancouver opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Andrés Cubas slipped a pass to White for the early 1-0 advantage. Three minutes later, Ahmed’s driven effort deflected off goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega and into the net for a 2-0 lead.
San Diego pushed for a response late in the first half, but Vancouver struck again in stoppage time. Ahmed’s cross found White, who chested the ball home for his second of the match and a 3-0 lead at the break.
San Diego Pulls One Back, Goes Down a Man
San Diego designated player Hirving “Chucky” Lozano entered at halftime and scored in the 60th minute, his long-range attempt taking a deflection and looping over goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
San Diego’s comeback hopes were dealt a blow in the 79th minute when Sisniega was shown a red card for a foul on Ryan Gauld in open space.
Stat Leaders and Milestones
White now has five playoff goals in 12 career appearances.
Cubas collected his first two postseason assists in his 10th playoff match.
All three of Ahmed’s career postseason assists have come this year.
Takaoka made three saves in his 10th postseason start, conceding just 12 goals across those appearances.
Sisniega stopped four shots in his third playoff start; he had clean sheets in his first two.
Historical Context
San Diego became just the second expansion team to reach a conference final, joining the 1998 Chicago Fire, who went on to win MLS Cup that year.
The clubs had split their regular-season meetings, with San Diego winning 5-3 at Vancouver and drawing 1-1 at home.
Scoring Summary
8' — VAN — Brian White
11' — VAN — Pablo Sisniega (own goal)
45+2' — VAN — Brian White
60' — SD — Hirving “Chucky” Lozano
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