Vancouver Whitecaps defeat LAFC, moving on to the Western Conference Final for the first time

MEGAN SWAIN/GATG

On November 22, 2025, the Vancouver Whitecaps went head-to-head with LAFC in the Western Conference Semifinals. They came out victorious, defeating LAFC on penalty-kicks.

A familiar foe, LAFC has been a playoff challenge for the Whitecaps in the past, as they eliminated them in the last 2 playoffs.

This year was different as the Whitecaps have been proving themselves to be strong contenders, and both teams gained offensive reinforcements over the summer in Thomas Müller for the Whitecaps and Son Heung-Min for LAFC.

The last time the Whitecaps played a match was November 1, 2025, meaning they had 3 weeks to re-charge their batteries and have key players return from injury before facing LAFC. They did so, gaining back Tristan Blackmon and Brian White, both in the starting 11.

The Whitecaps opened the scoring first, with a goal from Emmanuel Sabbi in the 39’. Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka kicked the ball over the field up to the front of the pack to meet Sabbi, who then put it into the net.

This was Sabbi’s first goal of the playoffs, ninth across all competitions. The assist went to Takaoka, his first of the playoffs, second of his career, and now the third goalkeeper in MLS playoff history to record a primary assist in the playoffs. Takaoka’s assist also marked the twenty-third player to assist a Whitecaps goal this season.

Before the half was up, the Whitecaps doubled their lead with a goal from Mathias Laborda. In the first minute of stoppage time, Sebastian Berhalter took a corner kick. The ball reached Müller, who headed it towards the net, but the LAFC goalkeeper made the save. The rebound was pushed straight to Laborda who wasted no time kicking the ball straight to the back of the net.

This was Laborda’s first of the playoffs, sixth goal across all competitions. Laborda’s goal also kept  growing a new club record. This was the 100th goal across all competitions for the Whitecaps, beating the previous record of 91.

At the half, the Whitecaps led 2-0, having 5 shots-on-target compared to LAFC’s 0, as well, leading possession with 63.67% compared to LAFC with 36.33%.

All that changed in the second half.

LAFC came out strong in the second half, applying pressure to Whitecaps early on. They broke through in the 60’ with a goal from Son, cutting the lead to 2-1. The play was under review for a potential offside, but ultimately the goal was upheld.

LAFC kept the pressure on throughout the rest of the second half, getting some chances that kept just missing the net wide.

At the 90’ mark, it was announced there would be 9’ of stoppage time.

3’ into the 9’, Blackmon was shown his second yellow card of the night, automatically turning into a red and was ejected from the match. The Whitecaps had to play down a man for the rest of the match.

Belal Halbouni was immediately substituted into the game, taking out Rayan Elloumi, to get another centre back onto the field.

From Blackmon’s foul, LAFC was awarded a free kick, which was taken by Son. From a great angle on the Whitecaps net, Son kicked the ball right over the wall of Whitecaps players and Takaoka into the top left corner, tying the game 2-2 in the 5’ of stoppage time and getting his second of the night.

With a 2-2 tie at the end of the second half, the game was officially headed to extra time, with 2 additional 15 minute halves.

Extra time was all LAFC. 

For the first of the 2 halves, the Whitecaps played down a man. Roughly halfway through the second of the 2 halves, at the 112’ mark, Halbouni went down with an injury.

Since the Whitecaps had used all their substitutions, they were forced to play down another player, putting it 11-on-9.

With 8 minutes remaining, excluding additional stoppage time, the Whitecaps managed to hang on with some help from the goal posts and crossbar, forcing the match to penalty kicks.

Only players on the field at the end of extra time are eligible to participate in the shootout. Since Müller, White, and Ali Ahmed had been substituted off, they were not available for the Whitecaps to use.

LAFC’s Son shot first, but missed the net. For the Whitecaps, Berhalter shot first. He was successful, putting the Whitecaps up 1-0 in penalty kicks.

Next up for LAFC was Denis Bouanga, who converted. The Whitecaps had Jayden Nelson go next and he also converted, keeping the Whitecaps ahead 2-1.

Mark Delgado shot next for LAFC and he also missed the net. Ryan Gauld was up next for the Whitecaps and scored, pushing the lead to 3-1.

LAFC’s next shooter, Andrew Moran, scored, pulling his team within 1. Édier Ocampo tried to win the game on his shot, but the LAFC goalkeeper made the save, putting the Whitecaps lead 3-2.

Frankie Amaya needed to score to keep his team's chances of winning alive, which is exactly what he did. For the Whitecaps, Laborda needed to score or the game would have more rounds in the shootout. He did just that, winning the game on penalty kicks, 4-3.

Laborda’s goal sends the Whitecaps to the Western Conference Final for the first time in the club's history, and the sellout crowd of 53, 957 fans, were on their feet, ecstatic.

The Whitecaps go again on Saturday, November 29 against the winner of the San Diego FC versus Minnesota United FC match.

If San Diego FC wins, the Whitecaps will travel down to California to play the Western Conference Final, but if Minnesota United FC win, the match will be held at BC Place in front of what will hopefully be another sellout crowd.