There are few teams Vancouver Whitecaps FC find as fickle as LAFC.
Yet, on Matchday 12 of the 2025 MLS season, the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps showcased their confidence in a comeback effort to grab a point in a 2–2 draw.
It was the 13th matchup in all competitions between the two sides in the last three seasons, and the Whitecaps came into the match having claimed wins in two of the previous 12. The day looked like a dark throwback for Vancouver too, as they fell 2–0 behind before the 20th minute.
While other years may have seen the Whitecaps fold and be unable to fight back, the 2025 edition under head coach Jesper Sorensen adapted and responded. It proved good enough for a point, bringing them to 27, maintaining their lead on the Supporters’ Shield.
The grit and effort required to claim a point and the coaching adaptations that led to it were a clear indicator of how far the club has come in 2025. No longer are they a team that surrenders to a poor start. Instead, they believe in their systems and ability, and pushed for all three points until the final whistle.
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Although the draw brought some concerning moments, it extended Vancouver’s undefeated streak in all competitions to 11 games and kept them in solid form as they approach the Concacaf Champions Cup Final on June 1 against Liga MX’s Cruz Azul.
Brian White Shows Up Again
With two goals in the Whitecaps' comeback effort, Brian White once again showcased his elite eye for goal on Sunday. His eight goals on the season brought him into a tie with Chicago Fire FC’s Hugo Cuypers for the MLS Golden Boot lead.
While his ability to score is unsurprising, given that he has already established himself as Vancouver’s all-time leading MLS goalscorer, his eye for doing so in significant moments has improved this season.
Against LAFC, he kept his same approach to goal, making early runs into the box and looking to get on crosses from just outside the top corners of the penalty area. Although his ability to be a part of the buildup can sometimes evade him, he has shown a commitment to thriving as a finisher, making him the best American goalscorer in MLS this season.
His goalscoring accolades put him in contention to be a prime option for the U.S. men’s national team at the upcoming 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup. However, Sunday’s match showed he needs a particular kind of service from out wide, and likely won’t be able to be relied upon to create opportunities for himself.
Still, though, he’s the perfect system striker, and it’s working well for Vancouver this season.
