MLS Shock: Vancouver Whitecaps eliminate LAFC in penalty shootout drama

The 2025 MLS Cup Playoffs delivered high drama Saturday night as the Vancouver Whitecaps, led by veteran German star Thomas Müller, eliminated Los Angeles FC and their marquee signing Heung‑Min Son in a Western Conference semifinal showdown.

The Canadian side advanced after a nail‑biting penalty shootout, ending the Steve Cherundolo era at LAFC and sending Jesper Sørensen to his first Western Conference Final.

Whitecaps take control early

LAFC’s “Black & Gold” looked sharp in the opening minutes, but Vancouver gradually tilted the field. In the 39th minute, goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka launched what looked more like a perfect through ball than a clearance. Emmanuel Sabbi outran the LAFC defense and calmly chipped past Hugo Lloris for the opener (1‑0).

Moments later, Müller picked up a yellow card for a tactical foul, showing his trademark intensity in midfield. That physical edge frustrated LAFC but kept Vancouver compact. Then, in stoppage time (45+1’), Müller’s header off a Sebastian Berhalter corner forced a spectacular save from Lloris—only for Mathías Laborda to bury the rebound (2‑0). BC Place erupted as the Whitecaps doubled their lead.

Son sparks LAFC comeback

Cherundolo’s halftime adjustments paid off. In the 60th minute, Andrew Moran slipped a clever pass into the box, where Son pounced. After Takaoka’s initial save and Laborda’s desperate goal‑line clearance, the South Korean star finally slotted home (2‑1). VAR reviewed the play for offside, but the goal stood.

Lloris kept LAFC alive with a stunning point‑blank save in the 78th minute against Tristan Blackmon. But Blackmon’s night ended in disaster—he was sent off for a second yellow after fouling Denis Bouanga. Deep into stoppage time (90+5’), Son curled a brilliant free kick past Takaoka to tie the game 2‑2, sending the match into extra time.

Extra-time drama and penalty heartbreak

In overtime, LAFC nearly stole it. David Martínez’s cross rattled the crossbar, Bouanga hit the post, and another Bouanga rocket smashed the woodwork again. But the breakthrough never came.

The shootout sealed LAFC’s fate. Son missed the opening penalty, striking the left post. Bouanga converted his attempt, but Vancouver held firm. Berhalter and Laborda delivered from the spot, clinching the victory for the Whitecaps and sending them to the Western Conference Final.

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Vancouver Whitecaps

• 1 Yohei Takaoka
• 18 Édier Ocampo
• 6 Ralph Priso-Mbongue
• 2 Mathías Laborda
• 33 Tristan Blackmon
• 13 Müller (90')
• 22 Ali Ahmed (81')
• 11 Emmanuel Sabbi (61')
• 20 Adrián Cubas
• 16 Sebastian Berhalter
• 24 Brian White (61')
• Substitutes
• 7 Jayden Nelson (81')
• 28 Tate Johnson
• 17 Kenji Cabrera
• 25 Ryan Gauld (61')
• 75 Rayan Elloumi (93')
• 32 Isaac Boehmer
• 23 Joedrick Pupe
• 12 Belal Halbouni (111')
• 59 Jeevan Badwal (90')

Los Angeles FC

• 1 Lloris
• 91 Nkosi Burgess (45')
• 5 Ryan Porteous
• 4 Eddie Segura
• 11 Timothy Tillman (87')
• 8 Marky Delgado
• 14 Palencia (76')
• 24 Ryan Hollingshead (87')
• 99 Denis Bouanga
• 7 Heung-Min Son x2
• 27 Nathan Ordaz (45')
• Substitutes
• 22 Alexandru Baluta
• 29 Artem Smoliakov (87')
• 30 David Martínez (45')
• 45 Kenny Nielsen
• 12 Thomas Hasal
• 23 Franuel Amaya (87')
• 21 Ryan Raposo (76')
• 19 Andrew Moran (45')
• 66 Mathieu Choiniere

Substitutions

David Martínez (45', Nkosi Tafari), Andrew Moran (45', Nathan Ordaz), Ryan Gauld (61', Emmanuel Sabbi), Rayan Elloumi (61', Brian White), Ryan Raposo (76', Sergi Palencia), Jayden Nelson (81', Ali Ahmed), Frankie Amaya (87', Timothy Tillman), Artem Smoliakov (87', Ryan Hollingshead), Jeevan Badwal (90', Thomas Müller), Belal Halbouni (93', Rayan Elloumi)

Goals

1-0, 38': Emmanuel Sabbi, 2-0, 45': Mathías Laborda, 2-1, 59': Heung-Min Son, 2-2, 94': Heung-Min Son

Cards

Referee: Rubiel Vazquez
VAR Referee: Geoff Gamble, Michael Kampmeinert
Müller (43',Yellow), Marky Delgado (51',Yellow), Tristan Blackmon (63',Yellow), Ryan Porteous (76',Yellow), Ryan Raposo (80',Yellow), Sebastian Berhalter (86',Yellow), Tristan Blackmon (91',Red), Franuel Amaya (94',Yellow), Ralph Priso-Mbongue (96',Yellow), Yohei Takaoka (101',Yellow)