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Whitecaps Reach First Western Conference Final on Penalties After Son’s Late Brace

The win sets up a conference final next weekend, with Vancouver facing defensive absences from Tristan Blackmon’s suspension plus Belal Halbouni’s injury.

Overview

  • Vancouver and LAFC finished 2-2 after extra time before the Whitecaps won the shootout 4-3 at BC Place.
  • Emmanuel Sabbi opened the scoring in the 39th minute and Mathías Laborda added a first‑half stoppage‑time goal for a 2-0 lead.
  • Son Heung‑min pulled LAFC level with a 60th‑minute strike and a 95th‑minute free kick that followed Tristan Blackmon’s second yellow card.
  • The Whitecaps finished extra time with nine players after Blackmon’s dismissal and an injury to Belal Halbouni with no substitutions remaining.
  • Laborda converted the decisive penalty in front of a club‑record crowd of 53,957, sending Vancouver to face San Diego FC or Minnesota United as LAFC’s season ends in what was reported as Steve Cherundolo’s final match.