The Vancouver Whitecaps are off to the MLS Western Conference Final for the first time in franchise history. After slaying the dragon in a back and forth match with LAFC that saw Vancouver advance 4-3 on penalties the Whitecaps will now wait to see who theyāll play next.Ā
“What a night. I’m so proud of the team and [being] part of this group. I’m very happy for the crowds, for the city,” Whitecaps star Thomas MĆ¼ller said in a video posted to social media post-match. “Thank you everybody for your support.”
Such a unbelievable win!
Absolutely crazy šš
WE ARE IN THE @MLS WESTERN CONFERENCE FINAL!!!! šŖšØš¦šš¼#vwfc #mls #Playoffs #esmuellert #tm13 pic.twitter.com/1WkEftCC91— Thomas MĆ¼ller (@esmuellert_) November 23, 2025
Sour grapes from LAFC goalkeeper
LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris wasted no time voicing his displeasure with the BC Place turf following LAFCās exit from the MLS Cup Playoffs.
The 38-year-old, who won a FIFA World Cup with France in 2018, went on a lengthy rant about the playing surface.Ā
āFirst of all I really want to be honest with you,ā Lloris began. āI come to the MLS because I still want to enjoy football. I was really pleased for the semifinal of the conference to see a full stadium, but I think playing on an artificial pitch like this one, itās almost unacceptable.
“I think the MLS should think about it and the owner of Vancouver should think about it because we all love football. This pitch and this crowd, this stadium deserves a better field, you know.
“In lower divisions in France thereās even better artificial pitches than this one. I think itās something that we can improve for the MLS.āĀ
Harsh words about the artificial pitch in Vancouver.
āThe fans here deserve better. I donāt think itās good for footballā pic.twitter.com/Fn1vBgZ4RJ
— Celso Oliveira (@celsoliveira_) November 23, 2025
āItās not good,ā Lloris continued. āItās not good and we see it today. They had some injuries and I donāt think itās good for football, Iām sorry but itās not in my hands. Itās a question to put on the table for the future of MLS and the future of soccer because itās important to give the athlete the best tools and Iām sorry to say that, but thatās the truth.āĀ
Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka sympathized with Lloris.Ā
āI think itās something thatās tough to adjust to for a goalie, natural grass to turf,ā Takaoka said. āThe second goal, the bounce, is a little tricky. Iām really sorry about that, but it is what it is. When I came here I tried to adjust and I know itās very hard for goalies.āĀ
Laborda slots home the rebound for our ONE HUNDRETH GOAL š„š¤
šŗ https://t.co/6HDiRE2iYk #VWFC | #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/S8cKMhuarl
— X – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) November 23, 2025
The Whitecaps are hoping this isn’t the last match of the season played on BC Place’s turf.Ā
Where and when will Whitecaps play Western Conference Final?
The Whitecaps will play the winner of the other Western Conference semi-final, which takes place on Monday between San Diego FC and Minnesota United FC.
If Minnesota can upset San Diego, Vancouver would host the Western Conference Final at BC Place. If San Diego advances, it’ll be a road match for the Whitecaps.Ā
āTheyāre two good teams,ā Emmanuel Sabbi told reporters postgame. ā[San Diego is] a strong team and so is Minnesota. You saw how they got to where they are, theyāre in the playoffs, itās football. All highs and lows.āĀ
The conference final will take place Saturday, Nov. 29 regardless of where the match takes place, meaning Vancouver will have an extra two days of rest and recovery over their opponent.