Vancouver Whitecaps FC received an all-time Western Convention Semifinal on Saturday night time, eliminating LAFC from the Audi 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs on penalty kicks after a 2-2 draw.
The Whitecaps, who performed earlier than a club-record (MLS period) 53,957 followers at BC Place, received 4-3 in PKs. LAFC’s Son Heung-Min and Mark Delgado each missed their spot-kicks, and Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda scored the winner within the fifth spherical.
Vancouver ended the match with 9 males after Tristan Blackmon was red-carded within the second-half stoppage time (90+2′) for a tactical foul on Denis Bouanga, and substitute Belal Halbouni could not proceed after getting injured within the second extra-time interval.
The Whitecaps had dominated the primary half and staked a 2-0 lead earlier than the break. Emmanuel Sabbi (39′) lofted house a chipped shot off goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka‘s lengthy service, then Laborda (45+1’) cleaned up a corner-kick rebound that adopted Thomas Müller‘s saved header.
However Son powered a heroic comeback for LAFC, scoring twice within the second half to drive additional time. The MLS-record signing and South Korean celebrity pulled one again within the sixtieth minute, then equalized on a world-class free kick in stoppage time (90+5′).
Regardless of their numerical benefit in additional time, the Black & Gold could not discover a late winner. Bouanga and David Martínez each hit the submit, and the Whitecaps absorbed strain with Müller watching on after being subbed out.
With the win, Vancouver will meet San Diego FC or Minnesota United FC of their first-ever Western Convention Remaining. The winner advances to MLS Cup introduced by Audi on Dec. 6.
