Whitecaps Open MLS Season Against RSL in Busy Stretch

Vancouver looks to defend Western Conference title after reaching MLS Cup final in 2025

Published on Mar. 1, 2026

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The Vancouver Whitecaps will begin their defense of the Western Conference title on Saturday when they host Real Salt Lake in their MLS regular season opener. The Whitecaps, who fell to Inter Miami in the MLS Cup final last season, will play four matches over an 11-day stretch to start the 2026 campaign, including a CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Cartagines.

Why it matters

The Whitecaps are looking to build on their strong 2025 season, which saw them tie for the best record in the Western Conference. However, they face a quick turnaround to start the new year, balancing domestic league play with continental competition. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing ninth-place finish in the West last season.

The details

The Whitecaps won both of their matches against Real Salt Lake last season, earning a 2-1 home victory and a 3-2 comeback road win. Vancouver owns a 12-5-1 record in 18 home matches against Salt Lake. The Whitecaps will be led by German legend Thomas Muller, who joined the club last August, as well as 2025 MLS Defender of the Year Tristan Blackmon. Real Salt Lake have implemented a new 3-5-2 tactical formation and added several new players, including designated player Morgan Guilavogui, in an effort to improve on their 12-17-5 record from a season ago.

  • The Whitecaps will open the 2026 MLS regular season on Saturday, February 22.
  • Vancouver played to a scoreless draw against Cartagines on Wednesday, February 19, in the first leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup tie.
  • The Whitecaps will play four matches over an 11-day stretch to start the 2026 campaign.

The players

Jesper Sorensen

The head coach of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

Thomas Muller

A German legend who joined the Whitecaps last August.

Tristan Blackmon

The 2025 MLS Defender of the Year, who debuted for the U.S. men's national team last year.

Pablo Mastroeni

The head coach of Real Salt Lake, who is implementing a new 3-5-2 tactical formation.

Morgan Guilavogui

A 27-year-old Guinean forward who is a designated player for Real Salt Lake.

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What they’re saying

“We've been preparing well for this, and it was the same last year, of course. It's also sometimes dependent on how you do in those games.”

— Jesper Sorensen, Vancouver Whitecaps head coach (statenews.net)

“One of the things that we looked at, and really identified, is how poor we did in attacking transition. We win the ball defensively, what kind of goal threat are we when we win the ball?”

— Pablo Mastroeni, Real Salt Lake head coach (ESPN 700)

What’s next

The second leg of the Whitecaps' CONCACAF Champions Cup tie against Cartagines is scheduled for Wednesday, February 26.

The takeaway

The Whitecaps face a challenging early-season schedule as they look to defend their Western Conference title, but their experience and talent, led by Muller and Blackmon, should give them a strong chance of success. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, are hoping their tactical and personnel changes will help them bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign.