March 7, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White (24) (left) celebrates with defender Tristan Blackmon (33) after scoring a goal in the first half against the Portland Timbers at Providence Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Image Brian White scored his second and third goals of the season and the Vancouver Whitecaps remained perfect with a 4-1 win over the host Portland Timbers on Saturday night.
Sebastian Berhalter scored the team’s third goal and assisted on White’s first goal against the Whitecaps (3-0-0, 9 points) in their only road regular-season game until early May.
Tristan Blackmon also scored on an assist from Berhalter as Vancouver won its third straight game at Portland between regular season and playoff games, outscoring the Timbers 13-2 in those contests.
18-year-old rookie Eric Izoita scored a late consolation goal for Portland in his MLS debut.
However, the Timbers (1-2-0, 3 points) have given up two or more goals in six straight games, dating back to last year’s opening playoff series against San Diego.
White has scored at least 15 goals in each of his last three MLS campaigns and is coming off a career-high 16 goals last season.
Having spent a full season alongside Germany’s World Cup-winning striker Thomas Müller and Berhalter, one of the league’s best crossers, he could be aiming for even bigger goals in 2026.
White started 21 minutes Saturday night.
After Edier Ocampo drove into the right side of the penalty area, he placed a pass back towards Berhalter near the right edge of the box. Berhalter struck a right-footed first-time cross that White crossed the line from close range.
White’s second goal put the game away after 66 minutes when he finished off a counterattack on Kenzi Cabrera’s chance to make it 4-1.
Berhalter could have recorded a second assist in the 49th minute when an outswinging free kick found Blackmon alone at the back post.
But Blackmon’s fierce early volley hit the post. That means the assist was not credited when the rebound hit Blackmon in the face and crossed the goal line to make it 2-0.
Berhalter added a goal of his own in the 63rd minute to give the visitors a three-goal advantage.
But Izoita gave the home side a brief boost nine minutes later when he fired an incredibly powerful snap from the edge of the area, past Yohei Takaoka and into the top right corner.
–Field level media
