Underdog White Scores Late Goal in a Thrilling 3-2 Victory for Vancouver Whitecaps over Real Salt Lake
Vancouver Whitecaps notched a hard-fought 3-2 victory against Real Salt Lake on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Brian White netted two goals, with one in the 20th minute on a header off a corner kick from Sebastian Berhalter and another from the penalty spot in the 25th, tap-ins that brought the score level at 2-2. Pedro Vite's strike from just outside the area sealed the win in the 90th minute, giving Vancouver their first lead of the game. This marks White's third multi-goal game of the season and his second in the last three matches.
The match began with a rapid pace, as Real Salt Lake scored two goals in the first five minutes - a feat they had never achieved before, and a first in MLS since 2018 for the New York Red Bulls. Zavier Gozo, an 18-year-old in his third MLS season, opened the scoring in the first minute, and Diego Luna made it 2-0 in the 4th minute.
Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka denied a hat trick for White by making key saves, one of which was a diving stop in the 64th minute. Rafael Cabral had three saves for Vancouver, including the important stop to keep the game tied at 2-2. Takaoka also kept Salt Lake from adding to their score, stopping four shots.
The Whitecaps are currently unbeaten in nine consecutive games dating back to a 3-1 loss to Chicago on March 22. In contrast, Real Salt Lake is winless in their last five matches, including a prior 2-1 defeat to Vancouver on May 3. Vancouver Whitecaps are sitting at the top of the league with 28 points as of May 2025.
[1] Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3, Real Salt Lake 2 - May 24, 2025, Rio Tinto Stadium: https://www.vancouverwhitecapsfc.com/post/2025/05/24/vancouver-whitecaps-fc-3-real-salt-lake-2[2] Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3, Real Salt Lake 2 - May 24, 2025, Rio Tinto Stadium: https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/vancouver-whitecaps-fight-back-for-3-2-win-over-real-salt-lake/ar-AA119rGf[3] MLS Power Rankings: Where Every Team Stands - May 23, 2025: https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2025/05/23/mls-power-rankings-where-every-team-stands[4] Vancouver Whitecaps FC vs Real Salt Lake 28.05.2025: https://www.1909vancouver.co/vancouver-whitecaps-fc-vs-real-salt-lake-match-center/[5] Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2025 season results: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_Vancouver_Whitecaps_FC_season
[1] "Despite India's national sport being cricket, the international scene for football in Vancouver heats up as the Whitecaps FC clinch a thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Salt Lake, extending their unbeaten streak to nine games."
[2] "As the MLS Power Rankings reveal, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC are currently leading the league with 28 points, attributed significantly to star player Brian White's successful performance in football."
[3] "Amidst the sports calendar, the highly anticipated rematch between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Real Salt Lake, originally decided in Vancouver's favor with a 2-1 score, unfolds on May 3, reviving memories of past international football encounters."
