Vancouver Whitecaps showed real strength on the road, earning a 1-1 draw against Western Conference leaders San Diego FC in a tense clash at Snapdragon Stadium. The result kept San Diego at the top with 43 points, but Vancouver remains right behind with 42. The head-to-head between the West’s top two sides made it clear: the race for first place is wide open.
Whitecaps rewarded for early control
The Canadians started strong. Less than 30 seconds in, Brian White was played in behind the defense, beat goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega off his line, and fired with his left foot, but the shot rolled just wide. In the 8th minute, Laborda rose highest to meet a corner and sent a dangerous header inches over the bar. Vancouver kept up the pressure and consistently found space down the flanks.
At the 35-minute mark, Ocampo tested Sisniega from distance, forcing a tough save that was pushed behind. Five minutes later, it was déjà vu, with results. Berhalter picked out Ocampo in the box, who blasted a shot that was again saved, but this time the rebound fell to Laborda. The Uruguayan’s strike deflected off Manu Duah and into the net. An own goal, but one that reflected the visitors’ dominance in the first half.
San Diego respond and hold on
After the break, San Diego adjusted their shape and began to control more possession. Their best look came in the 70th minute when Lozano launched a rocket from outside the box, but Takaoka made a brilliant save. Vancouver hit back on the counter. Berhalter played Jayden Nelson in at speed, but Duah timed his tackle perfectly. Moments later, Nelson fed Brian White, who again rounded Sisniega, only to see his tight-angled shot miss just wide.
San Diego’s equalizer came in the 79th minute. Ian Pilcher pounced on a loose ball in the box and finished clinically. Despite conceding, the Whitecaps didn’t back down. They kept pushing. A header off a corner forced another tough save from Sisniega. In stoppage time, Daniel Ríos nearly won it. He controlled the ball inside the box and struck it hard on goal, but the San Diego keeper made a clutch kick save to deny the late winner.