After back-to-back draws against the LA Galaxy and San Jose Earthquakes, the Vancouver Whitecaps returned to winning ways with a thrilling 3-2 victory over FC Dallas.

Jesper Sørensen made just one change from Saturday’s side, as Emmanuel Sabbi came in for Bruno Caicedo, forcing Senegalese international Cheikh Sabaly over to the left wing. Thomas Müller returned to the bench after missing the last two matches through illness, while J.C. Ngando dropped out of the squad.

The match got off to a poor start for Vancouver, as Christian Cappis broke in behind the Whitecaps' defence, but fortunately for the visitors, his effort struck the post.

Vancouver created a decent chance in the fourth minute when Brian White’s quick snapshot from inside the box was comfortably saved by Michael Collodi.

The Whitecaps were punished for their sloppy opening, as Logan Farrington was brought down by Tristan Blackmon, prompting referee Rosendo Mendoza to point to the spot while also booking Blackmon. It was Vancouver’s first penalty conceded of the 2026 season.

Croatian striker Petar Musa stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty into the bottom-right corner, with Yohei Takaoka diving the wrong way as Dallas took the lead just 10 minutes in.

Ran Binyamin and Shaq Moore were both booked within two minutes of each other following separate fouls.

Emmanuel Sabbi had a great opportunity from a corner after a teasing delivery from Sebastian Berhalter, but the unmarked winger headed over the bar.

Vancouver found its equalizer far quicker than in its previous two matches, as Cheikh Sabaly found Sebastian Berhalter, whose long-range effort proved too powerful for Michael Collodi as the Whitecaps levelled the score.

Andrés Cubas nearly added another from distance, but the Paraguayan narrowly missed the bottom-right corner.

The Whitecaps then got a fortunate break to take the lead, as Dallas defender Osaze Urhoghide turned a dangerous Édier Ocampo cross into his own net, giving Vancouver its first lead since the final match of April against the Colorado Rapids.

The match continued with a physical edge, and Dallas nearly responded in the 37th minute when Christian Cappis struck the woodwork again, this time crashing an acute-angle free kick off the crossbar.

After six minutes of added time were announced, Cheikh Sabaly was finally shown a yellow card after committing several fouls earlier in the half.

Rosendo Mendoza eventually brought the opening half to a close after nine minutes of stoppage time, with Vancouver taking a 2-1 lead into the break.

Bruno Caicedo replaced Emmanuel Sabbi to begin the second half, but Dallas started strongly once again. Logan Farrington met a Ran Binyamin cross and headed past Yohei Takaoka to make it 2-2.

On the hour mark, Farrington finally entered the book after fouling Sebastian Berhalter.

After a quiet stretch in the match, Kenji Cabrera replaced Cheikh Sabaly, who struggled overall despite registering his first assist for the club.

The Peruvian made an immediate impact, setting up Sebastian Berhalter for another stunning strike that restored Vancouver’s lead at 3-2, with Michael Collodi once again getting a hand to the ball but unable to keep it out.

Yohei Takaoka was then called into action after a Shaq Moore cross found former Portland player Santiago Moreno, but the Japanese goalkeeper produced a huge save to preserve the Whitecaps lead.

Vancouver nearly grabbed a fourth when a Sebastian Berhalter corner found Tristan Blackmon, but his header was cleared off the line by Dallas substitute Sam Sarver.

Rayan Elloumi entered the match for Brian White in the 76th minute, with the American striker now having gone three matches without a goal.

Édier Ocampo was later booked following an off-the-ball foul on Sam Sarver.

A welcome sight for Vancouver fans came when Serbian defender Ranko Veselinović replaced Édier Ocampo, marking his long-awaited return from the ACL injury he suffered last July against San Diego FC. Thomas Müller also returned after missing two matches through illness, replacing Andrés Cubas, who came off with an apparent injury concern.

Bruno Caicedo had a couple of late chances to put the match away. His first effort came from a quickly taken set piece but rolled wide, while his next two opportunities arrived moments later, with Collodi saving the first before the rebound effort was scuffed wide.

Rosendo Mendoza blew the final whistle after stoppage time, as the Whitecaps extended their unbeaten run to seven matches and snapped their two-match draw streak.

With the victory, combined with San Jose’s 3-2 loss to Seattle, the Vancouver Whitecaps moved back to the top of both the Western Conference and Supporters’ Shield standings with a game in hand.

Next up for Vancouver is another tough test in Texas, as the Whitecaps travel to face the Houston Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. PT.