September 28, 2024; Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (16) and midfielder Andres Cubas ( Andres Cubas (20) battles with Portland Timbers forward Santiago Moreno (30) for the ball during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images Brian White and Jonathan Rodriguez each scored a first-half goal as the Vancouver Whitecaps and visiting Portland Timbers held to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
The tie was enough to send Vancouver (13-9-8, 47 points) into the MLS Cup playoffs for the second straight season. The Whitecaps entered the playoffs with 6 wins, 2 draws and 4 losses in their past 12 regular season games.
Portland (12-10-9, 45 points) could make the playoffs if it can win just one game, but Forest is still in good shape to make the postseason. The Timbers are ninth in the Western Conference, eight points ahead of 10th-place FC Dallas.
Just three minutes into the game, Sebastian Berhalter's pass found White open in the box. White took advantage of the opportunity and scored his 15th goal of the season and his 10th in the past nine games.
After Vancouver struck early, Portland responded late in the first half. In the 43rd minute, Rodriguez shot from the penalty area. The ball bypassed defender Bjorn Inge Utwijk and hit the Whitecaps net.
Rodriguez has also been outstanding, scoring a team-leading 16 goals in his last 12 regular-season games, 10 of which have come in his own right.
Both teams were without a star player on Saturday. Portland midfielder Evander was suspended one game due to caution accumulation, and Vancouver's Ryan Gauld was sidelined with a knee injury.
The Whitecaps seemed to miss Gauld's absence, as White's goal was one of Vancouver's only three shots on goal in the game. White missed the second goal in the 52nd minute when his breakaway attempt went wide of the post.
Portland beat Vancouver 13-11, including a 5-3 field goal advantage. The Timbers were also hampered by the post in the second half, with Felipe Mora's 59th-minute shot hitting the post.
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