The Vancouver Whitecaps dropped points for the first time in their MLS campaign, with the San Jose Earthquakes taking a 1-0 win.

Jesper Sørensen opted for six changes in the starting 11 that was defeated midweek by the Seattle Sounders. Mihail Gherasimencov, Oliver Larraz, J.C. Ngando, Cheikh Sabaly, and Emmanuel Sabbi all entered the starting lineup, with Aziel Jackson deployed as a central attacking midfielder. Tate Johnson, Andrés Cubas, Sebastian Berhalter, Thomas Müller, and Jeevan Badwal were sent to the bench, with Cubas out of the entire team sheet due to an adductor injury.

San Jose opted for a single change from their side that lost to Seattle last week, with German star Timo Werner replaced by Jamar Ricketts.

Vancouver carved out the first chance of the game, with Édier Ocampo swinging in a cross for Brian White, but the striker couldn't keep his volley down and it sailed over the bar.

It was a similar story in the 22nd minute, as another Ocampo cross found White, whose header was straight at Daniel, the San Jose goalkeeper making his first save of the game.

After some half-chances, Emmanuel Sabbi got some nifty footwork off before setting up Aziel Jackson, who was denied by a good save from Daniel after the American created some space with footwork of his own.

The resulting corner brought another headed chance for Brian White, but Daniel produced perhaps his finest save of the game to deny the American what would have been his sixth goal of the season.

San Jose carved out a golden opportunity when Preston Judd delivered from the right, leaving Jamar Ricketts set to score until Édier Ocampo came in with a vital sliding block to deny him.

A major refereeing controversy arose late in the first half when Cheikh Sabaly broke in behind the San Jose defence, only to be shoved to the ground by defender DeJuan Jones. Whitecaps players called for referee Chris Penso to dismiss Jones for denial of a goalscoring opportunity, but Penso decided to play on, much to the fury of those inside BC Place.

After a fine block from Ralph Priso, the resulting San Jose corner caused chaos in the Vancouver box. A miscommunication between Édier Ocampo and Yohei Takaoka left the Japanese keeper struggling to claim the ball, and though Vancouver temporarily cleared their lines, Cheikh Sabaly gave possession away at the top of the box. San Jose midfielder Beau Leroux made them pay emphatically, rifling a world-class strike into the top corner to open the scoring.

SCREAMER FROM LEROUX 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ly9fCTIge4

— San Jose Earthquakes (@SJEarthquakes) March 22, 2026

For the first time in 2026, the Vancouver Whitecaps conceded first in their MLS season.

Jesper Sørensen made a change at the break, with Cheikh Sabaly replaced by Thomas Müller and Aziel Jackson shifting back into his more familiar left wing position.

Another major decision went against Vancouver in the 59th minute, as Emmanuel Sabbi was brought down by defender Reid Roberts. Despite making contact with the ball, Roberts took a significant amount of Sabbi in the process, but Chris Penso waved play on, with VAR offering no recommendation for a review.

In the 65th minute, last game's goalscorer Jeevan Badwal came on for J.C. Ngando, who had been booked five minutes earlier.

Vancouver continued to create chances, though none better than the one in the 68th minute. A ball found Ralph Priso, who chested it down for Brian White, but it wasn't to be his night as his shot went straight into Daniel's hands for a comfortable save.

Sebastian Berhalter and Kenji Cabrera were introduced in the 75th minute, with the two replacing Oliver Larraz and Aziel Jackson.

Later on, in an effort for some more attacking prowess, Rayan Elloumi replaced Mihail Gherasimencov in the 85th minute, marking Vancouver's final substitution of the game.

During the six additional minutes, Kenji Cabrera received the ball from a brilliant Ralph Priso backheel, but the Peruvian couldn't bend his effort into the corner and fired wide.

Time expired as Chris Penso's whistle brought the game to a close, with the American referee booed off the field by the Vancouver supporters as he made his way to the dressing rooms.

It is a second straight loss for Vancouver heading into the international break. With no clear timeline on Andrés Cubas' return, the Whitecaps will need someone to step up and fill that void.

Vancouver return to BC Place to open April, hosting Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers, a side they recently defeated 4-1.