Vancouver Whitecaps to face expansion side San Diego FC in Western Conference final

San Diego FC defender Oscar Verhoeven, left, battles Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, July 19, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Whitecaps will go on the road this weekend for the MLS Cup Western Conference final.

Top-seed San Diego FC defeated Minnesota United 1-0 on Monday in the final conference semifinal game of the playoffs and will have home-field advantage for Saturday’s final-four match.

San Diego and Vancouver finished the regular season tied atop the West with 63 points, but the Californian side had one more win than the Whitecaps.

Vancouver advanced to the West final with a win over visiting Los Angeles FC on Saturday. Los Angeles tied the match at 2-2 in the 95th minute after Vancouver defender Tristan Blackmon was sent off with his second yellow card of the night, but the Whitecaps won 4-3 on penalty kicks.

The Whitecaps are appearing in their first conference final since joining Major League Soccer in 2011.

San Diego is seeking to advance to the MLS Cup final in its expansion season.

Toronto FC is the only Canadian team to make it to the MLS Cup final, winning in 2017 and finishing runner-up in 2016 and 2019.

Vancouver has yet to beat San Diego after falling 5-3 to the newcomers in their first-ever matchup at B.C. Place in June, then taking a 1-1 road draw in July.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25, 2025.