The Vancouver Whitecaps have been climbing up the MLS standings and setting club records this season, despite battling a wave of injuries.
The Whitecaps have a chance to win their eighth Cascadia Cup on Wednesday with a win over Portland at BC Place. A win would also move the team past San Diego for the top spot in the Western Conference.
Vancouver will have to dig deep into their squad as several key first-team regulars will be unavailable for selection at home to Portland on Wednesday and away in Seattle on Saturday.
Vancouver has not conceded a goal in the last 287 minutes across all competitions, while scoring 15 goals in that span. When given an opportunity to play, young players have stepped up and delivered against Philadelphia, Forge FC, and Kansas City.
The Whitecaps will need similar contributions against some of their biggest MLS rivals.
Müller missing
Thomas Müller will miss his second consecutive MLS match, as the 36-year-old is day-to-day with an adductor injury.
Rather than train with his Whitecaps teammates on Friday, Monday, or Tuesday, Müller has been working in the gym and running laps. In his three MLS appearances, Müller has five goal contributions, including a birthday hat trick.
Sørensen does not expect Müller to be sidelined long-term. The German star could potentially feature on Saturday when Vancouver plays at Lumen Field against the Seattle Sounders.
#VWFC training on the first full day of fall.
During the open portion of training ⤵️
Thomas Müller working in the gym. He did not train on Monday or Friday.
Sebastian Schonlau working in the gym.
Joedrick Pupe is training.
Ryan Gauld training without a knee brace. #MLS pic.twitter.com/7p5VdMcoBq
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) September 23, 2025
Another step forward for Gauld
Ryan Gauld continues to work his way back from a left knee capsule sprain that has kept him sidelined since March 8.
The 29-year-old Scottish midfielder has featured in five full training sessions in the last nine days. He is no longer wearing a left knee brace, switching to a left-leg sleeve.
The Whitecaps have not put a timeline on when their captain could return to play, but there is growing optimism that he will potentially make a return before the end of the season.
“Ryan is now in a period where we train him,” Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen said following training on Tuesday. “He does everything in training, but he also has to be sustainable, and then we also have to build on top of that. He has to face physical things because he’s been out for so long, but it won’t be long until we can see him in the roster as well, and it’ll be great.”
Other Whitecaps injury updates
Vancouver will get a boost with the return of leading goal-scorer Brian White, as the New Jersey native will be available for selection after dealing with a hamstring injury.
There will be some juggling on the back line with Tristan Blackmon, Sam Adekugbe, Ranko Veselinovic, Sebastian Schonlau, and Joedrick Pupe all unavailable versus Portland due to injury.
Edier Ocampo and Andres Cubas will miss Wednesday’s match due to suspension.
Mathias Laborda, Belal Halbouni, Mark O’Neill, and Tate Johnson could be called upon to start.
#VWFC will be without the following players on Wednesday vs Portland.
Müller (injury)
Gauld (injury)
Pupe (injury)
Schonlau (injury)
Blackmon (injury)
Adekugbe (injury)
Veselinovic (injury)
Ocampo (suspension)
Cubas (suspension) #VANvPOR#MLS pic.twitter.com/4CfWYP18pq— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) September 23, 2025
Japan calling for Takaoka?
Goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka has been brilliant for the Whitecaps this season.
No team has given up fewer goals (31) than the Whitecaps this season, largely thanks to the Japanese shot-stopper, who leads MLS with 13 clean sheets.
Takaoka credits the principles that the new coaching staff has implemented for the overall defensive success.
“Jesper has given us good structure in how he wants us to play,” Takaoka told Daily Hive following training on Tuesday. “I think that’s the answer, and also [Whitecaps assistant coach Jan Michaelsen] gave us more of a solid defensive structure in what we have to do. I think they’ve given us a lot of things that’s improved.”
Whitecaps goalkeeper coach Youssef Dahha has helped Takaoka build up his voice and command, making him feel more comfortable as a team leader.
“I feel confident when I’m on the pitch,” Takaoka said. “Youssef, he’s given me a lot of things as a goalkeeper and also as a person. I’m in my third year in this club. I feel more confident in leading this team with my performance, and also I’m 29, so I’m not young.”
The MLS All-Star is currently signed with Vancouver through December 2025. But after that?
“It’s very tough to say,” Takaoka said. “It’s not my job, my agent does this kind of negotiations, but I need to focus on my performance. They’re talking, I heard, but I don’t know about the contents. Yeah, that’s all I can say.”
On the international stage, Japan’s head coach Hajime Moriyasu was at BC Place to scout Takaoka during the Whitecaps’ 7-0 win over Philadelphia. Clearly, Takaoka would love to represent his country.
“That’s my biggest dream,” Takaoka said. “But I’m really focused on this club and the Whitecaps. I need to focus on myself. It’s out of my control, they select me or not, that’s not my job. I just follow their decision.”