The Vancouver Whitecaps are back at BC Place Stadium for the first time since November 22, 2025, when they defeated LAFC in an intense match that required a penalty shootout. They face Real Salt Lake on MLS's opening day of 2026, with kickoff set for 4:30 pm PT. Here's everything you need to know ahead of tomorrow's clash.
For the Vancouver Whitecaps, 2026 opened with a frustrating 0-0 draw in Costa Rica against C.S. Cartaginés in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup first round. With the 'Caps creating the better chances, including a bicycle kick from forward Emmanuel Sabbi that was cleared off the line, they'll certainly look to be more clinical at home.
For Real Salt Lake, this is their first match of 2026 after an impressive six-match preseason that produced a 3-2-1 record. They finished ninth in the Western Conference before their postseason ended abruptly with a 3-1 defeat to the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.
These two sides have plenty of history in MLS play, dating back to the Whitecaps' inaugural season when RSL took a 2-0 win at home. In 35 matches between them, five have ended in draws, while the wins are split 15 apiece. The 'Caps claimed the double last season with a 2-1 win at BC Place Stadium and an entertaining 3-2 victory at America First Field.
As for availability, Sam Adekugbe, Ryan Gauld, Belal Halbouni, and Ranko Veselinović remain injured and unavailable. Cheikh Sabaly and Bruno Caicedo are in Vancouver, but it remains unclear whether they'll be eligible for tomorrow. Real Salt Lake will be without Stijn Spierings, Morgan Guilavogui, and Juan Manuel Sanabria due to visa issues, while Emeka Eneli and Juan Jose Arias are both unavailable due to injuries. Diego Luna, Lukas Engel, Victor Olatunji, and Kobi Henry are stated as questionable heading into tomorrow's match.
Projected XI
Vancouver Whitecaps (4-2-3-1): Yohei Takaoka; Édier Ocampo, Tristan Blackmon, Ralph Priso, Mathías Laborda; Sebastian Berhalter, Andrés Cubas; Emmanuel Sabbi, Thomas Müller (c), Kenji Cabrera; Brian White
Game information and how to watch
📆 Saturday, February 21, 2026
⏰ 7:30 pm ET / 4:30 pm PT
📺 MLS Season Pass, TSN
👤 Drew Fischer
🏟 BC Place, Vancouver, Canada
