✍️ Baltej Bining

Hello Vancouver! We are officially in World Cup mode, as this week the world stage comes to North America! Vancouver will host a game in the upcoming opening match week, as Australia takes on Türkiye at BC Place Stadium on Saturday at 9:00 pm PT. Meanwhile, Canada will open their tournament in Toronto against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday at 12:00 pm PT / 3:00 pm ET before travelling to Vancouver for the two clashes against Qatar and Switzerland.

Stepping away from the World Cup now, while the Whitecaps enjoy their break and the Rise have a week off due to the women's international window, the other two Vancouver sides were in action, so let's see how they fared.

This is Vancouver Weekly!

Vancouver Whitecaps

While there are no scheduled games for the Whitecaps at the moment, some of their players have certainly been in action.

Midfield powerhouse Sebastian Berhalter has had the most action in the past week for the Whitecaps, as the 25-year-old midfielder was named to the 2026 MLS All-Star First XI, as he was the only member of the Whitecaps to be named in the first eleven. He later appeared for the USMNT in their final World Cup preparation game against Germany, where the European giants won 2-1. Berhalter played 28 minutes, and he even had a brilliant moment, showing some skill to get away from Borussia Dortmund's Waldemar Anton before the play was called dead.

Kenji Cabrera's Peru began the first of two friendlies, as they took down World Cup-bound Haiti in a 2-1 win. The Whitecaps winger played the first half before being substituted out, creating a single chance for his side. They will take on World Cup favourites Spain tomorrow night in Mexico at 7:00 pm PT.

Andrés Cubas played the first half in Paraguay's 4-0 win over Nicaragua in the nation's send-off game before departing for the United States. Cubas will face Berhalter's USA on Friday in Inglewood, so it's a game that several 'Caps fans will surely look at with interest.

Rayan Elloumi was involved in a couple of friendlies off the bench against Austria and Belgium, ending in 1-0 and 5-0 defeats. Elloumi played 28 minutes in the first match and 11 minutes in the following match. He had minimal involvement as his nation will open their tournament against Sweden in Monterrey.

Mihail Gherasimencov was involved in a friendly for Moldova, as he played 85 minutes as a centerback in their 2-2 draw against Bulgaria. They will be back in action tomorrow morning against Armenia at 8:00 am PT.

Finally, Ralph Priso was an unused substitute in Canada's 1-1 draw against Ireland despite an impressive performance against Uzbekistan. With the news that Moïse Bombito's participation is in jeopardy, it increases the chances for a Priso call-up, with the clear need for a defender if Bombito can't compete.

The Whitecaps will, of course, be back 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

They finally turned their chances into goals!

It was a much-needed win on Friday night, as the Eagles took down Atlético Ottawa by a 2-1 scoreline, as their strike partnership of Terran Campbell and Lys Mousset both scored in the win, with the latter grabbing his first goal in Canada.

Despite a late goal from Ballou Tabla, Vancouver FC held on and grabbed their first win since that 2-0 win against Langley United in the Canadian Championship.

This was a different type of game for the Eagles, as they weren't the attacking aggressors compared to their prior games, but it worked out perfectly for Martin Nash's side.

While they do remain in seventh place, the Eagles have not only closed the gap between themselves and a playoff spot, but now they are one point behind the Halifax Wanderers.

The Eagles will have a second Salish Sea Derby on Sunday, as they will be hosting Pacific FC at Willoughby Stadium at 3:00 pm PT.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2

Halfway through the season, and it's been an awful one for Rich Fagan's side.

Portland Timbers 2 took down WFC2 at Swangard Stadium on Friday night, as a Daniel Cervantes goal was enough in a game where the hosts missed three big opportunities.

Despite the negative result, the side had some positive news, as 15-year-old midfielder Manav Badwal became the youngest starter in club history, while forward Daniel Ittycheria got his first minutes in 3 weeks after sustaining a concussion in WFC2's heavy 6-1 defeat to San Jose.

Earlier that week, 16-year-old academy product Ryder Sewell turned pro after signing an MLS NEXT Pro deal that will keep him in Vancouver until 2028, making him eligible for first-team call-ups if the Whitecaps choose to do so.

Up next is a midweek clash against North Texas at Swangard Stadium on Wednesday, as kickoff is set for 6:00 pm PT.

Vancouver Rise

While the club didn't play any games due to the women's international break, there is some news to report on.

Maithé López's Colombia is off to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup after they defeated Uruguay by a single goal. López was an unused substitute as Colombia are off to their fourth World Cup.

Jessika Cowart was called up to the Philippines Women's National Team for a training camp in California, as she appeared in their 1-0 loss to the San Diego Wave, who were reportedly playing CanWNT forward Adriana Leon.

The Vancouver Rise will be in action on Sunday, as they take on the Ottawa Rapid at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 2:00 pm PT.

That's all for Vancouver Weekly, as this week of football will be amazing with the World Cup about to begin, while three Vancouver sides will take to the field during this week.

Thank you for reading Vancouver Weekly, and we will see you next week, Vancouverites!