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Vancouver Whitecaps could get injured All-Star defender back soon

Har Johal
Har Johal
|
Oct 30 2025, 9:57 pm
Vancouver Whitecaps could get injured All-Star defender back soon
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images

The Vancouver Whitecaps can advance to the second round of the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time in eight years with a win on the road against FC Dallas on Saturday.

They lead the best-of-three playoff series, following a dominant win in Game 1, but know that FC Dallas will bring everything they have to try to stave off elimination and force Game 3, which would take place Friday, Nov. 7, at BC Place.

Whitecaps playoff game on TSN this time

While an MLS Season Pass subscription is no longer required to view Whitecaps playoff games on Apple TV, Saturday’s game in Dallas is also available via traditional television.

Saturday’s game will be available to watch on TSN, beginning at 6:30 p.m. PDT.

Blackmon getting closer to returning

Tristan Blackmon has been fully training with his teammates as he works his way back from an MCL sprain that has kept him sidelined since Sept. 16. 

“I’m definitely doing better than I’ve been the last couple of weeks,” Blackmon told reporters earlier this week. “I’ve been in training more the last week. I’m still dealing with a little bit, but I feel pretty good. I think it’s moving in the right direction.”

The 29-year-old centre back is fresh off being named MLS Defender of the Year, so clearly he would be a welcome addition. 

But a Vancouver win over FC Dallas this weekend would give the Whitecaps a three-week break between games.

“I think that can give guys who are coming back from injuries a little bit more of a buffer and time,” Blackmon acknowledged. “You also want to be out there. I think it kills all players who are injured to not be on the field, especially when a team is doing so well.

“You want to be a part of it, not that we aren’t a part of the group, but you feel it more when you’re in games and getting minutes. At the end of the day, I’m looking forward to being back with the team as soon as possible.”

It’s been a special season for the first-time MLS All-Star. Winning MLS Defender of the Year is a testament to what Blackmon brings as a dual aerial threat at both ends of the pitch and as an anchor on the back line.

“It wasn’t something that I wanted to check off coming into this year,” Blackmon said. “As the year developed it became more real that could be a possibility individually. I think that only happens when the collective is doing so well.

“It’s a massive kudos to all the team for helping me get that type of award. It’s definitely a team award. I’m definitely thankful for all the support from the guys this year. They made me feel real confident going out there.”

White’s status

As close as Blackmon is to being an option for Jesper Sørensen, leading goal-scorer Brian White looks to be farther away from making his return from a nagging hamstring injury. 

White wasn’t on the pitch during training on Wednesday morning.

Sørensen acknowledges that Saturday won’t be the final playoff game. If the Whitecaps are going to go far in the playoffs, they’re going to need both Blackmon and White healthy for the long haul. Deciding when to play them and how much time they see on the pitch remains an ongoing process. 

“That’s what we have to figure out,” Sørensen said. “We’ll see if they’re ready to go. We’ll look into it and see if they’re going to play or not and we’ll not hold back. It’s also about getting people going as fast as possible. A lot of stuff can also happen during training, so it’s not that we can just wait and put them out.”

MĂĽller salary revealed

The MLSPA released an updated version of MLS player salaries this week, giving us our first official look at Thomas Müller’s salary.

The German superstar had a guaranteed compensation listed at $1.4 million. That salary will be prorated to when Müller signed with the Whitecaps on Aug. 6.

Assuming Müller’s contract option is picked up for 2026, he is expected to earn a salary north of $6 million next season. 

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