PORTLAND, Ore. — In a stunning display of talent, Ryan Gauld netted a hat trick and contributed an assist, making him just the third player in MLS history to achieve four goal contributions in a playoff matchup. The Vancouver Whitecaps decisively defeated the Portland Timbers 5-0 during Wednesday night’s match.
This victory marks one of the most significant margins of triumph in the franchise’s playoff history, equalling their earlier 5-0 win against San Jose in 2017. With this success, the Whitecaps progress to a best-of-three series against top-ranked Los Angeles FC.
The Whitecaps quickly established their dominance, scoring three goals within a span of just 11 minutes in the opening half.
Gauld kicked things off in the 20th minute, tapping in a rebound following a hectic play in the box that saw Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis making two impressive saves.
Brian White then doubled the score in the 24th minute, easily tapping in a pass from Mathias Laborda after being left unmarked at the back post.
Gauld then added to his tally in the 31st minute, skillfully controlling a pass from Stuart Armstrong with his chest before volleying the ball over Pantemis.
In the second half, Armstrong scored in the 51st minute with a header from Fafà Picault’s cross, and shortly thereafter, Gauld sealed his hat trick with a sliding finish from another assist provided by Armstrong in the 59th minute. His extraordinary performance places him in esteemed company alongside Sebastian Giovinco (2016) and Landon Donovan (2014), both of whom also achieved four goal contributions in a playoff match.
This match witnessed the highest number of goals scored by Vancouver in a single game throughout the entire season.
Interestingly, Vancouver’s “home” game took place at Portland’s Providence Park due to scheduling conflicts at their own BC Place, thereby granting the ninth-seed Timbers home-field advantage over the eighth-seed Whitecaps. This matchup also marked the first postseason event held at Providence Park since the MLS Cup final in 2021.