White Salt Lake defeated as Vancouver Whitecaps extend their undefeated streak to 10 games with a 2-1 victory.
Vancouver's soccer scene is sizzling hot with the Whitecaps continuing to roll like a relentless boulder down the hill!
In another electric victory, Junior Canadian sensation Jayden Nelson bagged a stunning goal in the 20th minute, and center back Tristan Blackmon netted one in the 70th, giving Vancouver a 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake. This triumph places the Whitecaps among MLS's elite, making history as the sixth team to secure 26 points in just 11 games, a feat last achieved by the Los Angeles Galaxy back in 2010.
The victory extends their undefeated streak to 10 matches (6-0-4) across all competitions, with Vancouver's 8-1-2 record being the best in the league. The Whitecaps' ferocious form had them crowned the league leaders, sitting two points ahead of Columbus who drew 1-1 with Seattle.
"We're just taking it all in," said the humble Nelson, who hails from Brampton, Ont. "We know we're doing some fantastic things. There's no place for complacency in football – every game offers a chance to make more history," he continued.
Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna managed to score on a penalty kick in the sixth minute of extra time, snapping the Whitecaps' clean sheet.
This remarkable win followed their thrilling 3-1 road success against Inter Miami CF in the CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-finals, propelling them into the tournament's final round for the first time.
Driven by an unwavering focus on victory, head coach Jesper Sørensen emphasized, "We've managed to keep our eye on the prize, despite the grueling schedule and the magnitude of each game. Our team has pushed hard, setting high demands and maintaining that killer mentality."
The Whitecaps' determined efforts have served them well, as they lead the Western Conference by a comfortable seven-point margin over Minnesota. Real Salt Lake, on the other hand, dropped to 11th in the Western Conference (4-7-0) with the loss.
Nelson was a constant thorn in the side of Real Salt Lake's defenders throughout the match. His beautifully crafted goal demonstrated his speed and skill, as he wound past two defenders before slotting a right-footed shot just inside the corner of the net.
Blackmon's goal came in the 70th minute, securing a crucial victory for the Whitecaps, and he could not have asked for a better setup by midfielder Sebastian Berhalter. Midfielder Jean-Claude Ngando provided the pass for a chance in the 15th minute, but Nelson hesitated just moments before releasing the ball towards Edier Ocampo. Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Rafel Cabral managed to slide in and block the pass, maintaining a tense and tightly contested affair.
With Brian White nursing a slight hamstring injury, the Whitecaps ground out another victory without their prolific striker, who has already scored eight goals in seven MLS appearances this season, earning him the MLS Player of the Month award for April.
The Whitecaps' impressive run continues with three of their next five MLS matches at home. They face LIGA MX side Cruz Azul at the CONCACAF Champions Cup final on June 1. As they march into uncharted territory, Vancouver aims to make history yet again!
UP NEXT:Salt Lake: Visits FC Dallas on May 10.Vancouver: Hosts Los Angeles FC on May 11.
[1] https://www.mlssoccer.com/post/2025/05/03/whitecaps-fc-blitz-past-real-salt-lake-propel-into-concanacaf-champions-cup-final[2] https://www.espn.com/soccer/major-league-soccer/rankings/_/league/mls-standings[3] https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/mls-power-rankings-whitecaps-climb-to-first-after-dismantling-minnesota/[4] http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/vancouver-whitecaps/whitecaps-show-strength-in-numbers-with-record-breaking-start-to-2025-season/wcm/58cc4d8a-876d-4f52-88a8-800ee726638f[5] https://www.mlssoccer.com/statistics/all-time-table#xG
- Jayden Nelson, a young talent from Brampton, Ontario, scored a stunning goal in Toronto, contributing to Vancouver Whitecaps' 2-1 victory over Real Salt Lake, a result that placed them among MLS's top six teams.
- Despite Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna managing to score a late penalty kick and snap Vancouver's clean sheet, the Whitecaps' undefeated streak in all competitions now stands at 10 matches (6-0-4), with their 8-1-2 record leading the league.
- Head coach Jesper Sørensen and the Whitecaps are relentless in their pursuit of victory, setting high standards for their team and maintaining a killer mentality, as demonstrated by their recent performances.
- Vancouver Whitecaps will aim to make history once again as they prepare for three of their next five MLS matches at home, with the CONCACAF Champions Cup final against Cruz Azul on June 1 being a significant challenge.
