VANCOUVER — Even with the Vancouver Whitecaps on the verge of making history, head coach Jesper Sorensen remains characteristically nonplussed.
After all, the ‘Caps have already hit new highs several times this season.
The latest accomplishment within grasp? Winning the club’s first-ever Western Conference title.
Vancouver heads into the final game of Major League’s Soccer’s regular season sitting in the No. 1 spot, three points up on expansion side San Diego FC.
The Whitecaps (18-6-9) will host Dallas FC on Saturday and can lock up top spot with a win or a draw.
“I think it would be just adding another thing to a great season,” Sorensen said of the feat. “And of course, for the players, I think it will be a great achievement for everybody, winning the Western Conference.
“Having said that, then life continues after that, and the season continues. And hopefully we’ll be able to utilize that we’ve been doing well to go deep into the playoffs. That’s what we want — it’s our goal.”
Vancouver could get a fresh face into the lineup Saturday. Sorensen said centre back Joedrick Pupe will be available for the game.
The Belgian defender signed with the ‘Caps at the end of August, but had a hamstring injury when he joined the team and has yet to play his first MLS game.
Getting into training and watching his teammates play has given Pupe a taste of the league, though.
“The level is very good. It’s higher than even in Belgium, especially the individual quality of the players,” he said. “Then the tactical things is sometimes a bit crazy, because you go from one goal to the other goal.”
The addition could be a big one for a Whitecaps side that’s seen centre backs Sam Adekugbe (Achilles) and Ranko Veselinovic (knee) sidelined by season-ending injuries. Defender-of-the-year candidate Tristan Blackmon has also been out since mid-September with a knee ailment.
Sorensen said he “will not hold anything back” when it comes to setting his lineup for Saturday.
Dallas won’t either.
The visitors currently sit a single point above the playoff bar and will be eager to collect all three points.
“It’s perfect for us,” Whitecaps midfielder Jayden Nelson said of facing desperate opposition. “I think it’s difficult for teams to come here and then actually try to push for a win. So the game is going to be open, and that just makes it a better game for us. We’re excited for it.”
The ‘Caps are coming off a 2-1 road victory over Orlando City SC last week where German superstar Thomas Muller scored in the 97th minute.
Nelson and fellow Vancouver midfielder Ali Ahmed missed the game while on duty with the Canadian national team, but watched together. Both leapt up in celebrations when Muller blasted the ball in.
“You’re just cheering them on. You’re just cheering your teammates on and hoping they get the W,” Nelson said. “And it was nice to see that 90-plus minute winner, So it was fun. It was fun to watch. And hopefully the fans thought it was fun to watch as well.”
The win extended Vancouver’s unbeaten streak to 11 games (7-0-4) across all competitions.
The stretch shows the team’s resilience and strength, Sorensen said.
“We know that we look strong when we play,” the coach said. “Teams have difficulties keeping up over 90 minutes when we play them, and that’s a good thing. And that’s the confidence we have.
“We believe in ourselves, even though we sometimes are in difficult situations. … Whatever happened 10, eight games ago doesn’t matter that much, but we are a team that believes in ourselves.”
DALLAS FC (10-12-11) AT VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (18-6-9)
Saturday, B.C. Place
HISTORY BOOKS: Dallas holds an 11-12-9 edge in all-time matchups between the two clubs, but Vancouver won last time out. Blackmon scored to give the ‘Caps a 1-0 victory in Texas back on March 15.
MISSING PIECES: The visitors will be without forwards Logan Farrington and Petar Musa, and midfielder Ramiro, who are all suspended for the game. Musa is the team’s top scorer with 18 goals this year.
100 GAULD-EN GOALS: Attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld has 99 goal contributions for the Whitecaps across all competitions.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 17, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
