Sabbi scores first MLS goal as Vancouver Whitecaps blank Colorado Rapids 2-0

Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (24) celebrates his goal against the Colorado Rapids with teammates during the first half of an MLS game in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Emmanuel Sabbi wanted to make an immediate impact when he signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps in February.

An ankle injury scuttled that plan.

The 27-year-old American forward got back on track Saturday, scoring his first Major League Soccer goal and helping the ‘Caps (5-1-1) blank the Colorado Rapids 2-0.

“It’s been a rocky start, obviously, with the injury. But I’ve just been level headed, talking to the boys. The coaching staff has been helping me tremendously since I’ve been here,” Sabbi said.

“It’s been an interesting two-and-a-half months since I’ve been here. But they’ve been helping me and it showed today.”

Vancouver opened the scoring in the 19th minute Saturday following a series of solid passes.

Rookie left back Tate Johnson sailed a ball to Sebastian Berhalter inside the penalty area and the American midfielder headed it down to White, who tapped a shot in for his second goal of the MLS season.

White leads the ‘Caps in scoring with five goals across all competitions this year.

The home side added to its advantage in the 38th minute when Ali Ahmed sent a ball through the Rapids’ defence, finding Sabbi at the top of the six-yard box and the winger poked it in.

“I was thinking to shoot and I think the defence was thinking the same,” Ahmed said of the play. ”And usually when (Ryan Gauld’s) on the field, he’s great at making that run so I always have my head up looking for him. But today it was Emmanuel and he did a great job timing his run. … As soon as I saw him, I just put it in behind for him and he did the rest.”

The ‘Caps acquired Sabbi from French side Le Havre AC in February and quickly signed him to a contract through 2027.

He came to Vancouver fit and ready to play, but picked up an ankle injury in an early-season training session and was sidelined for several weeks.

“It’s not been an easy time for (Sabbi),” said Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen.

“Getting to a new club, you want to show yourself immediately and he was just unfortunate not to be able to. So now he’s able to build himself up and get stronger and stronger.”

While he wasn’t able to fully participate in training or play games, Sabbi said he’s spent much of the last few months learning about his new teammates and has found a group with great chemistry.

“It’s been a great group of guys, like a brotherhood,” he said. “It seems like everyone gets along, everyone wants to play together, everyone wants to fight for each other.”

Vancouver fought on both offence and defence Saturday, outshooting Colorado (3-2-2) by a margin of 15-9 and registering five shots on target.

It was a quiet night for Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka, who did not make a single save as he collected his fourth clean sheet of the campaign. Five of the Rapids’ seven shots were blocked and four others were off target.

The victory gave Vancouver its best-ever start to an MLS campaign and moved the club to the top of the MLS standings.

The team is now undefeated in its last three games across all competitions.

“I would say that (the success) motivates everybody and inspires everybody when things are going well and then life is a little bit easier,” Sorensen said. “We’ll keep focus on the task ahead.”

The Whitecaps will be back in action Wednesday, taking on LIGA MX side Pumas UNAM in the second half of their CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals matchup. The team will return to MLS play next Saturday when it hosts Austin FC.

FOOT NOTES: The ‘Caps were without several key players Saturday, including midfielders Ryan Gauld (knee) and Jayden Nelson (hamstring), defenders Sam Adekugbe (quad), Mathias Laborda (hamstring) and Bjorn Utvik (quad). … An announced crowd of 17,993 took in the game at B.C. Place.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 5, 2025.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press