White’s brace leads Vancouver Whitecaps to dominant 5-1 victory over Seattle Sounders

Sunday’s result comes after Vancouver clinched the No. 1 spot in the MLS Western Conference on Saturday thanks to the out-of-town scoreboard. The squad will begin their playoff run at home against a yet-to-be-determined opponent on Nov. 22.

Seattle is still fighting to clinch a post-season berth and held the ninth spot at the end of Sunday’s game, setting up a potential play-in game with the eighth-place Colorado Rapids.

The Whitecaps came into the game having already won their ninth Cascadia Cup, but became the first team to win every matchup of the three-team regional competition, sweeping their season series against both the Sounders and Portland Timbers.

The ‘Caps seized control of the game early on Sunday in front of an announced crowd of 32, 111.

Bruno Caicedo collected a ball from Gauld and chipped a cross to White near the back post. The striker headed it into the top corner of the Seattle net just 57 seconds into the game.

Edier Ocampo set up the second tally of the night eight minutes later, fighting off contact outside the penalty area and sending a ball into Gauld. The Scottish midfielder ticked a quick left-footed shot off from just above the six-yard box, putting it up and in over Sounders keeper Andrew Thomas to give the home side a 2-0 lead.

There were some tense moments in the stadium as officials reviewed the play to ensure Gauld didn’t commit a foul before his shot, but a video review confirmed the goal.

Seattle held onto possession through large swaths of the first half but struggled to create scoring chances.

Dejan Joveljic got a prime opportunity in the 22nd minute when Cvetkovic gave the ball away at the top of the penalty area. Joveljic picked it up and took a shot, only to see Vancouver netminder Yohei Takaoka calmly dive and turn the blast away.

Gauld helped boost Vancouver’s lead before the half, lobbing a cross into Laborda. Stationed at the side of the six-yard box, the centre back headed it down and in to put the ‘Caps up 3-0.

Seattle made four changes at halftime in a bid to sway the game’s trajectory, but saw little change on the field.

In the 53rd minute, Caicedo steamed toward the goal line with the ball at his foot before dishing off to White at the top of the six-yard box. The sniper sent a left-footed shot in past Thomas for his 20th tally in MLS play this year and his 100th goal in a Vancouver jersey.

The Sounders got on the board nine minutes later when Morris took a pass from Albert Rusnak, dashed up the field and blasted a right-footed shot in past Takaoka from the top of the penalty area to make it 4-1.

Vancouver wasn’t done yet, though.

Cvetkovic restored the home side’s four goal lead in the 69th minute, stretching his left leg out to send a shot off Thomas’ outstretched fingertips.

UP NEXT

Whitecaps: Close out the regular season on the road against CF Montreal on Saturday.

Sounders: Host Los Angeles FC on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 1, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

White’s brace leads Vancouver Whitecaps to dominant 5-1 victory over Seattle Sounders

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