Vancouver Whitecaps settle for 1-1 draw against Portland Timbers

MEGAN SWAIN/ GATG

The Vancouver Whitecaps took on the Portland Timbers on September 24, 2025 in MLS action and in a regional battle for the Cascadia Cup. 

In a fight for the Whitecaps to earn points towards the Supporters’ Shield and the Timbers to earn points to capture a playoff spot, both teams had to settle for a point, with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.

The Whitecaps were without players due to injury and 2 players serving 1 game suspensions from yellow card accumulation.

The Timbers took full advantage of a next-man-up Whitecaps lineup, applying pressure on the home team throughout the first half. 

Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka was busy during this time, but did a great job of keeping the Whitecaps in the game and the visiting team off the scoresheet.

Eventually, in the 39’, the Timbers broke through and got one past Takaoka to take a 1-0 lead.

By the end of the first half, the Timbers took 10 corners and had 7 shots on target to the Whitecaps no corners and no shots on target.

The Whitecaps came out stronger in the second half and in the 52’, on their first corner kick of the game, almost tied the game, but Emmanuel Sabbi's kick was just wide of the net.

The equalizer for the Whitecaps came in 88’ from Brian White off a corner kick taken by Sebastian Berhalter. The first assist went to Mathias Laborda and the second assist to Berhalter.

This was White’s fifteenth of the season in the MLS and twenty first across all competitions. This marks a new career high for White across all competitions, his previous being 20 set during the 2023 season.

Sabbi was working hard for a goal and for the Whitecaps. He drew 3 yellow cards against the Timbers, and almost took the lead for the Whitecaps with a chance in the 90’ +2’, but he hit the crossbar.

Next up for the Whitecaps, the hunt for the Cascadia Cup continues. They play the Seattle Sounders FC at Lumen Field on September 27. The Whitecaps need a draw against Seattle to hoist the Cascadia Cup for the eighth time, breaking the tied record of 7 they share with Seattle.

After that, on October 1, they return home to face Vancouver FC, aiming for the four-peat in the 2025 Telus Canadian Championship.