VANCOUVER — An all-Canadian clash on Saturday showcased the different trajectories two of the country's Major League Soccer clubs are on early in the season.
The surging Vancouver Whitecaps cruised to a historic 2-0 victory over struggling CF Montreal, winning their third straight league game of the season.
It's the first time the 'Caps have started an MLS campaign 3-0-0. The squad is now undefeated in its last five games across all competitions (4-0-1).
“We're definitely putting ourselves on the map now," said midfielder Ali Ahmed.
"Three seasons in a row, I think we've been showing that we're a team that can compete among the best. … And I think we're just honestly, not really paying too much attention to the outside noise and just focusing on what we’ve got to do.”
Montreal, meanwhile, has lost three in a row (0-3-0) to start the season.
Saturday marked the second straight game where the team failed to score.
“I feel there's particular positions and players that struggle to make adjustments in the individual defending and mentality," head coach Laurent Courtois said after the loss.
"But really, really satisfying the way that we know that when we are on the same page, what we try to do on the board works as long as we are composed, decided and not hesitant.”
The 'Caps lost a key player 20 minutes into Saturday's matchup when captain Ryan Gauld crumbled while driving up the field. He stayed on the turf for several minutes before slowly being helped off the field by two trainers, favouring his left leg.
The team later announced the injury was to his left knee and said the Scottish attacking midfielder will be evaluated next week.
Gauld was more positive after the game than he was at halftime, said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen.
“We’ll see tomorrow. Then we’ll know more," he said. "But I hope that it’s a short-term thing. As a coach, you always hope that.”
Mathias Laborda got the first big chance of the night in the 28th minute with a flying bicycle kick, but Montreal 'keeper Jonathan Sirois dove across his goal line to make the stop.
Laborda beat him in the 33rd minute, tapping a shot in from close range to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead with his first goal of the season.
Montreal nearly levelled the score in the 36th minute when Canadian midfielder Aleksandr Guboglo — making his first MLS start — fired a header on net, only to see Takaoka glove it out of harm's way.
Rookie fullback Tate Johnson — making his MLS debut — doubled the Whitecaps' lead early in the second half.
Ahmed sliced in a crisp pass to the 19-year-old American and he sent an arching ball up and in over Sirois for his first MLS goal, giving Vancouver a 2-0 cushion. Midfielder Pedro Vite also received an assist on the play, marking his third goal contribution of the season.
“I think that's partially just the confidence I have in my teammates, confidence I have in Ali to be able to put in a good ball," Johnson said of the play. "So I knew that if I could get to the back post, I'd get rewarded with that. So lucky to get on the end of a good ball from Ali.”
The feat conjured a memory for Ahmed.
“I scored my first goal against Montreal, too, around the same time, my first start," he said. "So I think he's following a similar path to his big bro. But honestly, not to bump him up or hype him up, but he has some aura here, like he's been here before. … I think he believes in himself."
The Whitecaps now have goals from eight different players in six games across all competitions this season.
“The good thing is that we create chances. And then sometimes we score on them, sometimes we don't," Sorensen said. "I think a lot of players are ending up where they can get the chances. That's the most important thing for me.”
Montreal pushed across the second half and came close to getting on the board in the 83rd minute when striker Prince Owusu blasted a left-footed shot on net. Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka punched it away to preserve the shutout.
Owusu nearly struck again in the second minute of stoppage time, but his diving header went off the crossbar.
Montreal had a strong game plan coming in, Courtois said, but couldn't execute from the start.
“A little bit of disappointment to wait to be punched to react," the coach said. "Just frustrated with the guys to wait, either to react or wait for the second half. But it should be like this from minute one.”
The 'Caps outshot the visiting side 15-10 and held a 7-2 edge in on-target shots. Takaoka made two saves to collect his first clean sheet of the campaign and Sirois had five stops.
The 'Caps will be back in action Wednesday when they visit LIGA MX side CF Monterrey for the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup series. Montreal returns to play next Saturday when they visit D.C. United.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 8, 2025.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press