PHOTOS: Surrey talent shines at Whitecaps’ 5th Vaisakhi Match
Published 12:00 pm Monday, April 6, 2026
Whitecaps FC welcomed a season-high crowd of 25,465 to BC Place Stadium for the soccer club’s fifth annual Vaisakhi Match on Saturday night (April 4).
A halftime performance by Surrey’s Chani Nattan and Inderpal Moga, 2025 JUNO Award nominees, followed national anthems sung by Shruti Ramani.
Soccer fans arrived early on Terry Fox Plaza to hear DJ Unusual before a dance performance by UBC Bhangra Club and NAAM Bhangra inside the stadium, where the Caps later beat Portland Timbers 3-2 after a last-minute goal from Sebastian Berhalter.
Surrey’s Jeevan Badwal started the game for the Whitecaps, who fell behind 2-1 at the half, then rallied with a pair of late goals by Thomas Müller (penalty kick) and, four minutes later, Berhalter.
Pre-match, Whitecaps FC and MNP hosted 80 youth from Surrey School District and Surrey FC for a clinic on the pitch, followed by a special event at BC Sports Hall of Fame.
Vaisakhi Match food included tikka masala poutine, and a special-edition Whitecaps FC Vaisakhi logo, created by local artist Anu Chouhan, was sold on scarves and jersey decal.
This Saturday, April 11, another big crowd is expected when Whitecaps FC host an Indigenous Peoples Celebration Match, presented by BMO, against New York City FC. Tickets are sold on whitecapsfc.com/tickets.