PREVIEW: ‘Caps host Real Salt Lake in MLS Season Opener at BC Place | Watch on Apple TV, TSN
VANCOUVER, BC – Back at home. Vancouver Whitecaps FC are set to kickoff their 2026 MLS regular season campaign with their home opener against Western Conference foes Real Salt Lake this Saturday, February 21 at BC Place. More than 21,000 tickets have already been sold for Saturday, in what will mark the club’s 500th MLS regular season match. The ‘Caps will also be debuting their 2026 Coastal Jersey. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT, with stadium gates opening at 3:30 p.m. PT.
BACK FOR 2026: Following a four-week preseason camp in Spain, Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to action this week with the first of a pair of matches to kickoff their 2026 campaign. The team will look to build on a historic 2025 season that saw them secure a fourth straight TELUS Canadian Championship title, a first ever Western Conference title, and make runs to the finals of both the Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup. The ‘Caps will once again compete in those three competitions in 2026, as well as Leagues Cup later in the year. This year’s roster is led by German legend Thomas Müller, MLS era leading goalscorer Brian White, reigning MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon, Paraguayan international Andrés Cubas, and MLS Best XI selection Sebastian Berhalter. The squad also features some new faces in fullbacks Nikola Djordjevic and Mihail Gherasimencov, midfielder Oliver Larraz, attacking midfielder/forward Aziel Jackson, as well as forwards Bruno Caicedo and Cheikh Sabaly.
ONTO LEG TWO: The ‘Caps began their 2026 campaign on the road in Cartago, Costa Rica on Wednesday in their opening match of the Concacaf Champions Cup, playing to a 0-0 draw against C.S. Cartaginés in the First Leg of Round One. The Blue and White reached the final in last year’s edition of the tournament, defeating the likes Deportivo Saprissa, CF Monterrey, Pumas UNAM, and Inter Miami CF before falling to defeat against Cruz Azul. This year, the ‘Caps will be looking to return to the final for a chance at competing in the FIFA Club World Cup and becoming the first Canadian team to win the coveted tournament. The second leg of Round One will be played at BC Place on Wednesday, with the winner progressing to the Round of 16 to face Seattle Sounders FC. If the teams are scoreless after 90 minutes, the match will go to extra time. If the teams play to a draw of 1-1 or more, Cartaginés would go through on away goals.
HOME OPENER: Whitecaps FC have quickly shifted their focus from Concacaf action to MLS regular season play, as the club will kickoff their 16th season in the league with their home opener on Saturday, February 21 against fellow Western Conference side Real Salt Lake. The contest, which is a rematch of the 2023 home opener, will also mark the ‘Caps 500th match in MLS regular season play. Last season, Vancouver won both of their encounters with the Claret and Cobalt, earning a 2-1 victory at BC Place and claiming a 3-2 comeback win on the road at America First Field. Overall, the ‘Caps have posted a 12W-5L-1D record in home matches against Salt Lake. In addition, they’ll be looking to win consecutive home openers for the first time since 2014.
The ‘Caps welcomed six new signings into the first team fold during the offseason, adding Whitecaps FC 2 (WFC2) products Nikola Djordjevic and Mihail Gherasimencov, former Colorado Rapids midfielder Oliver Larraz, Ecuadorian youth international Bruno Caicedo, MLS experienced forward Aziel ‘AZ’ Jackson, as well as AFCON winner and Senegalese international Cheikh Sabaly. Learn more on the new signings in their player bio sections below:
