The Vancouver Whitecaps kick off their 2026 MLS regular season tonight, 21 February 2026, hosting Real Salt Lake (RSL) at BC Place. Following a historic run to the MLS Cup final last season, the Whitecaps enter this opener as the Western Conference favourites, despite a mounting injury list and a congested early-season schedule.
Match Details & Kickoff
- Date: Saturday, 21 February 2026
- Time: 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
- Venue: BC Place, Vancouver, BC
- Broadcast: TSN, Apple TV (MLS Season Pass)
- Attendance: Over 21,000 tickets sold as of Friday.
Current Form & Context
Vancouver arrives at the season opener with competitive minutes already under their belt. On 19 February, the ‘Caps played to a 0-0 draw against C.S. Cartaginés in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. While they dominated possession, the lack of a finishing touch has raised minor concerns heading into the domestic opener. Real Salt Lake, meanwhile, makes their 2026 debut tonight, looking to improve on a record that saw them lose twice to Vancouver in their last three meetings.
Injury Report: Key Absences
The Whitecaps face significant defensive and leadership hurdles for Matchday 1. Head coach Vanni Sartini will be without three pillars of the squad:
- Ryan Gauld (Captain): Out with a knee injury.
- Ranko Veselinovic: Out with a knee injury.
- Sam Adekugbe: Out with an Achilles injury.
Real Salt Lake also reports several absences, including Emeka Eneli (Knee) and Morgan Guilavogui, who is unavailable for non-injury reasons.
Head-to-Head History
The rivalry between these two clubs is historically one of the most balanced in MLS. In 35 previous meetings:
| Statistic | Vancouver Whitecaps | Real Salt Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Total Wins | 15 | 15 |
| Draws | 5 | |
| Avg. Goals Per Match | 2.71 | |
Betting Odds & Predictions
Despite the absence of Ryan Gauld, oddsmakers heavily favour the home side. Vancouver is currently listed at -154 on the moneyline, with some books placing their win probability as high as 68%. Analysts expect a tight contest, noting that eight of the last nine meetings between these clubs have been decided by a single goal or ended in a draw.
Lead Editor’s Note: With the Whitecaps balancing Champions Cup duties and a depleted backline, tonight’s match will test the depth of a roster that many experts believe is built for another deep playoff run in 2026.