✍️ Baltej Bining

Hello Vancouver soccer fans! Hope you had an amazing weekend as we enter a big month of June. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just around the corner, as we are less than two weeks away from the world's tournament being held here.

In the last week of soccer in Vancouver, three of the professional teams were in action on the road, while one was able to grab three points, unlike the other two, which lost.

This is Vancouver Weekly!

Vancouver Whitecaps

Nothing to report on the Vancouver Whitecaps side, who are currently on a break due to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Still, there is some news for some players: Bruno Caicedo was an unused substitute in Ecuador's 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia after receiving a call-up for the friendly on Sunday. Caicedo was unsurprisingly left out of Ecuador's World Cup squad, while former Whitecap Pedro Vite was selected.

Sebastian Berhalter was named to the USA's squad for the upcoming tournament on Tuesday and played 76 minutes in an international friendly against Senegal, with the USA winning 3-2. Mauricio Pochettino, after the match, gave the Vancouver midfielder his flowers, stating, “I think he deserved to be in the roster and today, [I’m] happy too with his performance,” and, “He’s not 100%, he’s 200% professional, committed."

Ralph Priso was not named to Canada's World Cup roster despite having a huge case to be there over Joel Waterman. Nonetheless, Priso is on standby in case of injuries, and was even deployed as a left-back in training and in Canada's 2-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Monday night.

Andrés Cubas was named to Paraguay's 26-man squad for their World Cup campaign.

Kenji Cabrera was selected to the Peruvian National Team for a couple of friendlies against Haiti and Spain, with the former being played on Friday at Nu Stadium.

The Whitecaps will be back in action in early July, as they will take on Cavalry at Swangard Stadium in the first leg of the Canadian Championship quarter-finals on Wednesday, July 8 at 6:30 pm PT.

Vancouver FC

Death, taxes, and Vancouver FC conceding late goals.

It was the usual tale for the Eagles on Saturday, as they were defeated by a single goal against the Halifax Wanderers, with that late winner being the fifth conceded in stoppage time by the Eagles in the 2026 Canadian Premier League season.

Tavio Ciccarelli was the match winner, with the striker receiving a second yellow after taking his shirt off in the celebrations, but it was too late for the Eagles to find an equalizer.

Once again, Vancouver FC dominated in the attacking sense, registering 15 shots and missing a big chance, though they only had three shots on target.

Martin Nash's side also had 30 touches inside Halifax's box, quite contrary to the nine touches that Vanni Sartini's side had in Vancouver's box.

It's already the second time that the Eagles have lost to the Wanderers by a 1-0 scoreline, with their season opener also having finished 1-0 in favour of Halifax following a brilliant free kick by Lorenzo Callegari.

The next opportunity to grab three points will be back at Willoughby Stadium, as they take on Atlético Ottawa on Friday for a late 7:00 pm PT kickoff.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

They just can't find a win.

It was another loss for WFC2 in their MLS NEXT Pro season, succumbing to Ventura County by a narrow 2-1 scoreline.

Isak Luna scored the opener after 36 minutes, and the LA Galaxy affiliate grabbed a second in the 71st minute through Eric Preston.

WFC2 would get a goal back four minutes later, as Tyler Brown's deflected strike found the near post, but they couldn't grab another to secure the comeback.

Ventura County were dominating in the attack, missing three big chances and having four more shots than Rich Fagan's side, who did not create a single big opportunity.

Now, they find themselves four points away from 12th place, and nine points away from the final playoff spot.

It's a home rivalry game next for WFC2, as they take on Portland Timbers 2 at Swangard Stadium on Friday, with kickoff set for 6:00 pm PT.

Vancouver Rise

At least we got one side to win, and it's the best-performing side of the three.

The Vancouver Rise have overcome their slow start, earning their third straight win after defeating the Montréal Roses in a thrilling 3-2 scoreline.

After an early opener from Elyse Bennett, Anna Bout scored her first NSL goal to tie the game heading into the second half.

After Josie Longhurst scored her first NSL goal before a late equalizer from Noémi Paquin, Jessica De Filippo won the game with four minutes left to spare after a great individual run from Jaime Perrault.

With that win, the Rise soar up to third place with a two-point lead over AFC Toronto, who have played one less game.

The Rise will not be in action this week due to the women's international break, but they will return on the 14th to take on the Ottawa Rapid at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:00 pm PT that Sunday.

That's it for Vancouver Weekly, as the Vancouver sides grab a 1-0-2 record in what wasn't an ideal week, unless you are a Vancouver Rise fan, of course!

Whitecaps FC 2 and Vancouver FC will be the only sides in action this week, and let's hope they can turn their fortunes around.

Thanks as always for reading Vancouver Weekly, and we will see you next week, Vancouverites!