Jackson scores, Vancouver Whitecaps blank Real Salt Lake 1-0 in MLS season opener

Real Salt Lake's Ariath Piol (19) hits the post as Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (1) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER — Aziel Jackson scored his first goal in a Whitecaps jersey, lifting Vancouver to a 1-0 victory over Real Salt Lake on Saturday.

The American midfielder sent a left-footed shot in past RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral in the 57th minute for the Major League Soccer match’s lone goal.

Vancouver (1-0-0) had ample chances across the game, outshooting the visitors 13-10, with a 5-2 edge in on-target shots.

The home side struggled at times to manage RSL’s aggression, but found ways in the second half to poke holes in the defensive line and work their way into the final third.

Real Salt Lake (0-1-0) was playing without Diego Luna, their leading scorer last season, after the midfielder was injured in training earlier in the week.

It’s been a busy week for the ‘Caps, who were in Costa Rica on Wednesday where they battled C.S. Cartagines to a 0-0 draw to open their CONCACAF Champions Cup run.

Vancouver will be back on the field at B.C. Place this Wednesday when they host Cartagines for the back half of the two-legged aggregate series.

RSL and the Whitecaps traded chances early on Saturday, and Vancouver came within inches in the 16th minute.

Thomas Muller launched a left-footed shot from above the penalty area, sending the ball under the arms of the diving RSL ‘keeper, but his shot pinged off the post.

Moments later, Salt Lake took advantage of a defensive miscue when Mattias Laborda tried to get the ball to Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka for a goal kick. Ariath Piol picked off the pass and got a shot off from just outside the six-yard box, hitting the outside netting.

The ‘Caps had another prime chance in the 30th minute when striker Emmanuel Sabbi blasted a long-range rocket on net, only to see Cabral drop to his knees and gobble up the shot.

Piol put a ball in the back of the Vancouver net with a sliding shot in the 38th minute but the offside flag quickly went up and the goal was called back. A lengthy video review confirmed the play was offside.

The home side held 57 per cent of possession across the first half and outshot RSL 8-6, with a 2-1 lead in on-target shots.

Wing back Tate Johnson orchestrated Jackson’s goal in the 57th minute, driving hard into the penalty area and chipping a pass off to the midfielder. Stationed above the six-yard box, Jackson gave it a left-footed touch, directing the ball in past Cabral for his first goal.

Vancouver acquired the 24-year-old Jackson from on loan from Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok at the end of January.

RSL continued to press, giving the Whitecaps little time or space to make plays, but couldn’t get the equalizer.

NOTES

Takaoka made two saves for his first clean sheet of the season. He led the league with 13 last season. … Real Salt Lake received three yellow cards across the match while the Whitecaps got two cautions. … The match drew an announced crowd of 23,546 and marked Vancouver’s 500th regular-season MLS game.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps return to MLS play on Feb. 28 when they entertain Canadian rivals Toronto FC in Vancouver. RSL will host the Seattle Sounders the same night.

This report by Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press, was first published Feb. 21, 2026.