Vancouver Whitecaps Dominate Portland Timbers to Secure Playoff Spot

Ryan Gauld's hat trick leads the Whitecaps to a decisive 5-0 victory in the MLS Western Conference wild-card match.

Vancouver Whitecaps advanced to the MLS playoffs after a commanding 5-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the Western Conference wild-card game.
Ryan Gauld scored a hat trick and added an assist, becoming the third player in MLS playoff history to contribute to four goals in a single match.
The Whitecaps, who had been winless in their last seven matches, played the game at Portland's Providence Park due to a venue conflict in Vancouver.
Despite entering the game as underdogs, Vancouver's aggressive play quickly overwhelmed Portland, with three goals scored in the first 31 minutes.
Vancouver will face top-seeded Los Angeles FC in a best-of-three first-round playoff series, starting Sunday in Southern California.