Gauld makes history, White scores in return to lineup as Whitecaps blank Galaxy 3-0

Vancouver Whitecaps' Ryan Gauld (25) celebrates his goal against the Los Angeles Galaxy with Brian White, second left, and Cheick Sabaly (7) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

VANCOUVER — It’s been a long time coming, but Ryan Gauld finally feels like he’s close to being back to his best as a Vancouver Whitecap.

The Scottish attacking midfielder missed the start of the season after undergoing off-season knee surgery, and has dealt with an injury plagued campaign.

But he marked his return to form by scoring his 50th goal as a Whitecap in a comfortable 3-0 win over LA Galaxy on Wednesday at BC Place.

“It’s obviously frustrating. When I came back and wanted to hit the ground running, I kind of expected things to just be the way they were from beforehand,” he said. “I think you can clearly see it took me quite a few games to get back to decent match fitness and playing at a good level on and off the ball.

“It’s been a tough year out and then a tough ramp up period to finally get back in shape.”

Gauld scored in the 57th minute, riding two tackles before nestling the ball in the corner of JT Marcinkowski’s net.

With the goal, Gauld became the first Whitecaps player in the team’s Major League Soccer era to record 50 goals and 50 assists.

“It’s nice to get the goal, personally I don’t put that much into scoring my 50th or anything, but it was nice to get the goal and we got off to a great start,” he said.

“Teams are making it hard for us, they’re sitting deep against us. It wasn’t so much the case tonight … teams have been tending to sit a little deep against us and when we create the chances we have to be on form and put them away.”

The goal capped a return to the starting lineup for both Gauld and striker Brian White, who scored the opening goal in the ninth minute.

White scored on a nifty play from the team’s three stars. Gauld took a quick throw to Thomas Muller, who flicked it to an onrushing White who dinked the ball with his head over a charging defender before firing it in on a volley.

Having the team’s three main attacking threats combine for a goal has been something Vancouver has struggled to do, head coach Jesper Sorensen acknowledged after the match.

“It’s been difficult after the (World Cup) break to play a team consistently because we have so many games,” he said.

The Whitecaps sit atop of the Western Conference with 11 regular-season games remaining and are aiming to carry their momentum into the post-season.

“It’s very important we have people fired up and ready for the end of the season and finish well, and have a good run into the playoffs so we’re ready to attack the playoffs as strong as possible,” said Sorensen.

After a nervy start, the Galaxy came into the game forcing Whitecaps goalie Yohei Takaoka into a series of smart saves, culminating with Hirving Lozano trying to bend one into the top corner, only for the Japanese netminder to palm it wide.

The Whitecaps comfortably dominated attacking play in the second half, with Marcinkowski and a series of blocked shots by defenders keeping White, Cheikh Sabaly and Emmanuel Sabbi at bay.

After registering eight shots in the first half, Vancouver doubled that by the 65th minute. By comparison, LA were stuck at five – the same they started the half with – until the 71st minute.

Muller left the match injured in the 27th minute after taking a knock from a Galaxy defender. Muller will turn 37 on Sunday, the same day Vancouver hosts Austin FC.

Sorensen said after the match that the injury appeared to be a charley horse with the injury getting worse after the initial collision.

Bruno Caicedo wrapped up the scoring in the 89th minute with a penalty that Marcinowski got a hand to, but the ball’s rotation carried it over the line before bouncing clear.

This report by Nick Wells, The Canadian Press, was first published Sept. 9, 2026.