Vancouver Whitecaps fans have been filling up BC Place this season and the team has rewarded supporters with an impressive 5-1-0 start to the MLS regular season.
Four of their five wins have come at home, meaning the Whitecaps are already halfway towards matching the Vancouver Canucks’ home win total this season.
It’s been a home-heavy start to the season for the Whitecaps due to the FIFA World Cup, with eight of Vancouver’s first nine MLS matches scheduled at BC Place. That continues into April, as the Whitecaps host New York City FC on Saturday, marking the first of four consecutive home matches.
“The city is supporting us more and more”
Bob Frid/Vancouver Whitecaps FC
A lower-bowl sellout is possible this weekend, as the Whitecaps have already sold over 24,000 tickets for Saturday’s match. This will mark the 17th consecutive MLS match at BC Place with a crowd of more than 20,000.
Vancouver is averaging 23,738 fans at home MLS matches this season. That’s a 24.5% increase in attendance compared to this time last year.
“It’s awesome that the city is supporting us more and more every year,” Brian White told Daily Hive following training on Thursday.
“We notice it in the streets. People come up to you more and more in the streets. That’s always nice to see fans out in the open, take pictures, and have them get to know you. Having the fan support grow is awesome.
“The city really embraces the team.”
White and his teammates notice how full the stands are and that helps create a buzz.
“It really brings alive the atmosphere, energy, intensity of the game,” White said. “Who doesn’t love playing in front of a sold out crowd with our home fans?”
Secret to success? Score first
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images
The Whitecaps are 22-0-4 when they score first in an MLS play with Jesper Sørensen at the helm. This run of form was threatened when the Whitecaps needed to score a pair of second-half stoppage time goals to defeat Portland 3-2 last week.
“We believe,” Sebastian Berhalter told Daily Hive following training on Friday. “Once we get that goal we have all this belief that we can go out and no team can beat us.”
“I think it’s a pretty comfortable position to be in,” White added. “Anytime you get the first goal you get the upper hand in the game. I think that builds confidence, especially if you score early, you can build that confidence throughout the game.”
Priso’s injury might ruin his World Cup chances
Simon Fearn/Imagn Images
Ralph Priso is expected to be sidelined 8-10 weeks with a left hamstring strain suffered while playing for the Canadian men’s national team.
The 23-year-old left Canada’s 0-0 draw vs Tunisia on March 31, his second appearance with Canada and his first start for the red and white. The timing of Priso’s injury puts a rather large cloud over his chances of making Canada’s roster for the FIFA World Cup.
“It’s tough for him,” Sørensen said. “He had the hope and expectation maybe to put himself into a position where he could be a player for the World Cup. Now it’s going to be very difficult. I don’t know, it happens. For Ralph it’s just sad that he doesn’t get the opportunity now to give himself an opportunity to go to the World Cup.”
Other Whitecaps injury updates
Anne-Marie Sorvin/USA TODAY Sports
Ryan Gauld, Ranko Veselinovic, and Sam Adekugbe all continue to inch closer to a potential return. Andres Cubas will be available for selection on Saturday following an adductor injury. Sebastian Schonlau, meanwhile, has a hamstring injury and his return is yet to be determined.
Adekugbe is unlikely to make his return during this month, while Veselinovic could play in the second half of April.
A potential return for Gauld does not appear to be imminent.
#VWFC’s Ryan Gauld working on his individual return to play program.
Gauld has been alternating days working in the gym and working on the pitch.
Wed (pitch), Thurs (gym), Fri (pitch).
Potentially maybe possibly a May return. #MLS pic.twitter.com/MXrW28SMia
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) April 10, 2026
“Hopefully he will be progressing and doing more and more out here. Whenever he is ready to go and be available for playing then of course we will look forward to it,” Sørensen said of Gauld. “It has to come down to what he feels, how comfortable is pushing extra to get into not just being available for play but being available to perform. It’s been a while since he’s been at his best physical fitness level.”