White scores late winner Whitecaps hand Galaxy loss

VANCOUVER - It's been a long time since the Vancouver Whitecaps have started a Major League Soccer season like this. 

Seven years, in fact. 

The 'Caps downed the L.A. Galaxy 2-1 on Sunday, extending their win streak to three games across all competitions. 

The result marked the first time since 2018 that Vancouver (2-0-0) has won its Major League Soccer home opener. In 2018, the Whitecaps beat Montreal 2-1 for their first win at B.C. Place.

It's a solid start for newly minted head coach Jesper Sorensen, who was hired in mid-January to lead the team — less than 24 hours before the team left for training camp in Marbella, Spain. 

Sorensen, though, was quick to credit his players for the hot start on Sunday. 

“I think first and foremost, I came in and inherited a team that was well-structured and in good shape," he said. 

“I would say that the team has looked great. They’ve done well in pre-season. Everybody has chipped in and been ready for the new ideas I brought in. I can only be happy with what I’ve seen so far and hope it’s only the beginning.” 

Everyone in the locker room has embraced the off-season coaching change, said veteran Whitecaps striker Brian White. 

“I think everyone’s bought into the new philosophy, the game plan," he said. "Little bit of a change of pace and I think everyone’s bought in and feels energized. And I think you’re seeing a good product out on the field.”

L.A. (0-2-0) came in as the defending MLS Cup champions, but it was Vancouver that controlled much of the match on Sunday. 

The 'Caps had 50.9 per cent of possession and outshot the visitors 14-6, with a 5-2 edge in on-target shots. 

Many in the announced crowd of 21,124 were still settling into their seats when 'Caps left back Sam Adekugbe scored in the third minute. 

Pedro Vite put a shot on net and while Galaxy 'keeper Novak Micovic made the stop, he wasn't able to control the rebound. Adekugbe tapped it in from the top of the six-yard box. 

Twenty-three minutes later, the Canadian international collided with a Galaxy player midfield and dropped to the turf. He was looked at by trainers, then got up and walked to the bench on his own. 

Adekugbe appeared to test the injury with a few short strides on the sideline before burying his face in his hands. His teammates comforted him on the bench. 

“Those moments are difficult, obviously," White said. "When a player goes down, you worry about their health and their well-being. But we had to turn the page quickly. Obviously (Edier Ocampo) came in, did a great job and we were able to push on from there.”

Sorensen said after the game that Adekugbe had a quad injury, but the severity of the injury is unclear. 

“Somehow he got a push and then he stuck into the pitch and he felt something," the coach said. "And we have to see. I don’t know yet, but we’ll figure it out over the next couple of days.”

L.A. levelled the score at 1-1 in the 39th minute when Gabriel Pec collected the ball near the penalty spot and sent a shot sailing in off the inside of the post. 

The Whitecaps were "a little flat" in the later part of the first half, Sorensen said, but made some tactical adjustments during halftime and came out with renewed energy. 

The two sides traded chances until White put Vancouver ahead once again in the 87th minute. 

Vite swung a cross into the American striker and White headed it in for his third goal of the season across all competitions. 

The 'Caps then held fast through the final three minutes of regulation time and nine minutes of injury time — much to the delight of their coach. 

“That was the one thing I was the most happy with," Sorensen said. 

"The thing is, you have to trust and rely on the way you would like to play. And if we play for 40 minutes in the second half where we play one style and we did all that, then there should be no need for us to not play like that the last 10, 15 minutes. It’s no worries.”

The Whitecaps return to action Wednesday when they host LIGA MX side CF Monterrey in CONCACAF Champions Cup play. 

FOOT NOTES: Newly acquired striker Daniel Rios came on for captain Ryan Gauld in the 86th minute, making his Whitecaps debut. Vancouver brought the 30-year-old Mexican striker in on loan from LIGA MX club Chivas de Guadalajara on Feb. 17. … Canadian soccer fans booed the U.S. national anthem before kickoff.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 2, 2025.