With just five games left in the MLS regular season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (16W-6L-7D) enter the home stretch with plenty at stake. On Wednesday, September 24, they welcome Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers (11W-10L-9D) to BC Place in a matchup loaded with implications.
A victory would not only deliver the 'Caps a record-breaking eighth Cascadia Cup but also lock up a top-four finish in the West, guaranteeing home advantage for Round One’s best-of-three playoff series. Three points would even see them leapfrog San Diego FC into first place in the conference.
This midweek clash carries added weight in the Supporters' Shield race as well. Vancouver still have a game in hand on several contenders, putting them firmly in the mix for the league's top honor awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
The Blue-and-White have already set a new club high with 55 points and, with the fixtures remaining, could push that total up to 70. Their chase for the Shield comes against stiff competition, with Philadelphia Union, FC Cincinnati, San Diego FC, Minnesota United FC, and Charlotte FC all sitting on three matches left, NYCFC with four, and Inter Miami CF holding six.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
How to watch Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers online - TV channels & live streams
 | Apple TV | Watch here |
In the United States (US) and worldwide, the MLS match between Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers will be available to watch and stream online live on Apple TV through the MLS Season Pass.
Check out GOAL's Live Match Centre for updates.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are not sure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sport.
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers kick-off time
The MLS match between Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers will be played at BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
It will kick off at 7:30 pm PT / 10:30 pm ET on Wednesday, September 24, in the US.
Team news & squads
Vancouver Whitecaps vs Portland Timbers lineups
4-2-3-1
Formation
5-4-1
POTVAN-Line up
VANSubstitutes
Manager
J. Soerensen
Injuries and Suspended players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Injuries and Suspensions
- No sidelined players
Vancouver Whitecaps team news
While there's optimism that Ryan Gauld is edging closer to full fitness, the Scottish playmaker will still join a lengthy list of absentees for Vancouver in this clash. Fortunately for the 'Caps, youngster Kenji Cabrera made a memorable first start by netting his debut MLS goal against Sporting Kansas City, showing the squad’s depth can step up when key names like Brian White and Muller are given a rest.
The bigger headache for Vancouver boss Jesper Sorensen is in midfield and defense. Both Andres Cubas and Ali Ahmed Ocampo are suspended after yellow card accumulation, stripping the side of vital balance and bite in the middle of the park. On top of that, Tristan Blackmon, Ranko Veselinovic, Sam Adekugbe, and new defensive arrivals Joedrick Pupe and Sebastian Schonlau are all sidelined.
It leaves the Whitecaps facing one of the thinnest squads in MLS at a crucial point of the season, though backups like Halbouni, Tate Johnson, and Laborda have held steady, with youngsters Rayan Elloumi and Cabrera beginning to shine.
Portland Timbers team news
For Portland, the trip north represents both a daunting challenge and a rare chance to play spoiler in this rivalry. The Timbers are not accustomed to being underdogs against Vancouver, but they'll be hoping the absences in the home lineup give them an opening to halt a frustrating run of results. The arrival of new star David Da Costa has changed their outlook, with the creative midfielder already showing his flair in possession and his ability to deliver lethal set pieces. If given space, his dribbling can carve open defenses.
Defensively, though, Portland remain a concern. Their backline has struggled for consistency all season, particularly at fullback, where pacey wingers like Emmanuel Sabbi, Ali Ahmed, and Javain Brown Nelson could cause chaos. Success for the Timbers will hinge on breaking through Vancouver's press and finding opportunities like those presented by Antony and Da Costa in transition. With Cubas missing for the hosts, Portland may get slightly more room to operate in midfield, but whether they can take advantage remains the big question.
Form
VAN-Form
VANSporting Kansas City
0
-
2
Vancouver Whitecaps
W
Vancouver Whitecaps
4
-
0
Forge FC
W
Vancouver Whitecaps
7
-
0
Philadelphia Union
W
Vancouver Whitecaps
3
-
2
St. Louis City
W
Vancouver Whitecaps
1
-
1
Houston Dynamo FC
D
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 17/3
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 2/5
POT-Form
POTHouston Dynamo FC
1
-
0
Portland Timbers
L
Portland Timbers
2
-
1
New York Red Bulls
W
Minnesota United
1
-
1
Portland Timbers
D
San Diego FC
0
-
0
Portland Timbers
D
Portland Timbers
2
-
3
FC Cincinnati
L
- Goal Scored (Conceded)
- 5/6
- Games over 2.5 goals
- 2/5
- Both teams scored
- 3/5
Head-to-Head Record
VANLast 5 matches
POT3
Wins
1
Draw
1
Win
Portland Timbers
1
-
4
Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps
5
-
0
Portland Timbers
Vancouver Whitecaps
1
-
1
Portland Timbers
Portland Timbers
2
-
0
Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps
3
-
2
Portland Timbers
Goals scored
6- Games over 2.5 goals
- 3/5
- Both teams scored
- 3/5