February 25, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Whitecaps defender Eddie Ocampo (18) fights for the ball against CS Cartagines forward Suhander Zuniga (24) during the second half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Image The Vancouver Whitecaps will aim to play more comfortably as they look to build off back-to-back wins at home to start the MLS regular season.
Vancouver plays its fourth game in 11 days, including a CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Toronto FC on Saturday night.
“We need to relax a little more,” Vancouver coach Jesper Sorensen said. “We play a little too fast and a little too busy. We need to slow down a little and be patient. We can’t try to overdo it.”
Aziel Jackson scored in the 57th minute and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka made two saves as Vancouver opened the MLS regular season with a 1-0 home win over Real Salt Lake last weekend.
In CONCACAF Champions Cup action, the Whitecaps advanced to the round of 16 of the CONCACAF Champions Cup with a 2-0 home win over Costa Rican Cartagines on Wednesday, where they will face rivals Seattle Sounders from March 12.
“We also like having games close together because it’s exciting and it’s also a great opportunity to engage players,” Sorensen said.
Toronto travels west looking for its first win of the MLS season after losing 3-2 to FC Dallas last weekend.
Djordje Mihailovic and Derrick Etienne Jr. provided Toronto’s offense from Frisco, Texas.
The Reds have a 6-8-4 regular season record against Vancouver and will be looking for their first win in Vancouver since March 2017.
“We have to play good defense,” Toronto coach Robin Frazier said of the key to Saturday’s game. “I think that if we defend well, we can get good results. First of all, we have to defend well.”
–Field level media
