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![\"Vancouver](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/6998f854064821a1c076d279jpeg.jpg\")
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Muller shows his appreciation to Vancouver fans after Inter Miami defeated Vancouver during the MLS Cup final soccer match, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Saturday, December 6, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Darryl Dyck<\/p>\n
\u201cA little bit incomplete,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd it\u2019s kind of having that hunger and that thirst. Because we know what it takes now. We know what it takes to be the best and now it\u2019s just having that next step and really digging deep within ourselves to bring that out of us.\u201d<\/p>\n
The work begins Saturday when the Whitecaps host Real Salt Lake in their first league game of the year.<\/p>\n
Vancouver finished last season with an 18-7-9 record in league play, good for second in the Western Conference, and set multiple franchise records, including most points (63), wins (18) and goals scored in an MLS campaign.<\/p>\n
The club made the CONCACAF Champions Cup final, won a fourth straight Canadian Championship title, and continued to roll in the playoffs, felling post-season foe Los Angeles FC, capturing a Western Conference title, and earned a spot in the MLS Cup final where the Whitecaps ultimately fell to Inter Miami.\u00a0<\/p>\n
While there\u2019s a strong foundation for the team heading into the 2026 campaign, nothing is given, cautioned head coach Jesper Sorensen.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe season we had last year is not a season that you just say \u2018OK, now this is the baseline for us.\u2019 It was extraordinary,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd sometimes you also have to stop and remind yourself that we achieved something that was a little bit extra.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving said that, you always want to improve and you always want to be ambitious and set yourself goals. And we do that as a group.\u201d<\/p>\n
Vancouver\u2019s group largely remains in tact, with 24 players from last year\u2019s roster returning, including last season\u2019s MLS defender of the year Tristan Blackmon, goalkeeper of the year finalist Yohei Takaoka, and all-stars Berhalter and striker Brian White.<\/p>\n
The Whitecaps lost a pair of Canadian wingers, transferring Ali Ahmed to Norwich City of the English Championship and trading Jayden Nelson to Austin FC.\u00a0<\/p>\n
New additions to the lineup include Senegalese forward Cheikh Sabaly, midfielder Oliver Larraz and forward Aziel Jackson.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always had a core group for the last quite a few years now. And so having so many guys return from last year, and how successful we were last year, I think it helps a lot going into this season,\u201d said White.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd then obviously we\u2019ve added a couple of players who can hopefully raise the level even higher. So I think everyone\u2019s really excited to see how much further we can take it this year and what we can achieve.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
The club will start the season without defenders Sam Adekugbe (Achilles) and Ranko Veselinovic (knee), and captain Ryan Gauld (knee), though all three are expected back this spring.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Vancouver will also benefit from a full season of Thomas Muller.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The German soccer legend signed with the club in August and registered nine goals and three assists over 13 games for the club last year, including seven goals and three assists in seven regular-season bouts.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not only what the 36-year-old midfielder does on the field that helps the team, said Whitecaps sporting director Axel Schuster.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat I expect from him is being a leader,\u201d he said. \u201cWe have spoken about how close we have been before Thomas arrived. We thought maybe there was an inch missing and maybe it was an inch of experience, of leadership on the pitch. And last year we have seen that we can go even more than that one inch further.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
While Muller said he\u2019s \u201ckind of relaxed\u201d when it comes to results, he has expectations on how he wants the team to play.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI want to make sure we build on this foundation we created as a team,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t talk about results. You can\u2019t control the results but you can control the approach, how you play the game, how you want to play the game. So it\u2019s about playing style, it\u2019s about habits on the field. And we want to show our good habits, our teamwork, the style how we play right from the beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n
Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.<\/p>\n