Vancouver Whitecaps Win First Game of the MLS Season

MEGAN SWAIN/GATG

The ‘Caps are back. On February 21, the 2026 MLS kicked off, and it saw the Vancouver Whitecaps and Real Salt Lake facing off.

The Whitecaps came out strong, getting some early chances, including a Thomas Müller post. It was RSL that appeared to strike first, but the goal was quickly called offside.

The score was 0-0 at halftime.

The Whitecaps kept the pressure on in the second half and broke through to take a 1-0 lead in the 57’. It was new guy, AZ Jackson, who got the ball past the RSL goalkeeper into the bottom right corner. The assist went to Tate Johnson.

AZ is the most recent Whitecaps player to score in their MLS debut for the club since Johnson last season.

RSL fought until the end, getting a clean shot on Yohei Takaoka in the 89’ minute. He faced it head on to earn his second clean sheet of the season across all competitions.

The Whitecaps took a 1-0 win over RSL and are back in action at BC Place Wednesday, February 25. They face C.S. Cartaginés in the second leg of Round One as a part of the Concacaf Champions Cup. They then pivot back to MLS action on Saturday, February 28 when they host Toronto FC.