Vancouver Whitecaps Ready for Season Finale While Key Players Head to International Duty

Breadcrumb Trail Links

1. Sports
2. Soccer
3. MLS
4. Vancouver Whitecaps

The Whitecaps are in Montreal Saturday to close off the 2026 regular season, then will have to wait a week and a half before learning who they’ll face when the playoffs open

Published Nov 07, 2026  •  Last updated 27 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Article content

We independently select everything we recommend. Buying through us may earn us a commission, which supports our work.

“Interesting,” Johnson said diplomatically this week when asked about the upcoming international break landing on the eve of the playoffs. A year ago the break came midway into the first round, so at least this is a clean transition between regular season and playdowns this year.

“May be better to just get it done now this year,” he added. The Whitecaps travel to Montreal on Saturday to close out the 2026 regular season, then will have to wait a week and a half before learning who they’ll face when the playoffs open. The international window next weekend falls between those two dates.

Johnson is off to join the U.S. U‑23 camp in Spain, the latest in a series of national‑team call‑ups for the left back, who also spent time with the U‑21 squad earlier this year and the U‑20 side last year. His teammates Ralph Priso (Canada) and Edier Ocampo (Colombia) are also headed overseas for their respective duties.

All three will miss the final preparation days before the Whitecaps’ opening playoff match on Nov. 22, when they will face either the wild‑card winner from Nov. 18 or the team they defeat in the regular‑season finale. Head coach Jesper Sorensen acknowledged the disruption but remained upbeat.

“It would be much worse if we weren’t in the playoffs at all,” he said. “I would like to jump straight into it, but it is what it is. The more concerning part is not having the full squad for camp and the preparation for our first‑round opponent.” He added that a competitive lineup will be fielded against Montreal, though a few players may be rested to avoid unnecessary risk.

Captain Ryan Gauld, who has returned to full fitness after injury, echoed the desire for an early start to the postseason. “I think we’d all rather just get things going and be playing next week,” he said. “It gives us a little extra time for anyone who’s feeling anything to fully recover, but it’s a long wait for us as well.”

Injuries continue to affect a few teammates. Andres Cubas (ankle) and Jeevan Badwal (hamstring) remain sidelined, but the club remains hopeful they will be cleared for the playoff run.

Beyond the match in Montreal, Sorensen will be glued to the MLS Decision Day scoreboard, eager to see how the final fixtures shape the playoff bracket. “How we will end out, it’s gonna be amazing. It’s unreal, man. It’s fantastic,” he said.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

Share this article in your social network

Source link