The Vancouver Whitecaps face the Chicago Fire FC where they hoped to keep their impressive start to the MLS season going

Credit: Whitecaps FC/x

The Vancouver Whitecaps played on March 22, 2025, against the Chicago Fire FC where they hoped to keep their impressive start to the MLS season going. 

The Whitecaps started their season winning all four games and aimed to win their fifth, but were unable to recover after an early goal from Chicago and suffered their first loss of the season at a score of 3-1.

Family Affairs

Midfielder, Sebastian Berhalter was not only taking on another MLS team in the Fire, he was facing off against his father’s team. Gregg Berhalter is in his first season as head coach of the Fire, and beat his son’s team in their first meeting in Vancouver since 2022.

Whitecaps Berhalter is the only player to start all eight games they have played this year in the CONCACAF and MLS. He has logged the most minutes on the team, as well as leads in key passes and successful crosses.

Early Action

The Fire opened the scoring in the first half  of the game. This was the first time this MLS season that the Whitecaps had conceded the opening goal, and were put in the position to chase the game.

The Whitecaps kept their focus and in the 14’ Daniel Ríos got his first goal as a Whitecap to tie the game. 

The first assist went to Jayden Nelson, and this was his fifth assist against all competitions, extending his lead as franchise leader. The second assist went to Liam Mackenzie who is now the youngest player for the Whitecaps to assist in his debut.

The Future is Bright

It was announced early on March 22, 2025 that Liam Mackenzie signed a short term agreement. Later that night he made his MLS debut. Mackenzie is the fourth youngest player to make his debut in Whitecaps history.

Mackenzie had a solid debut and when head coach Jesper Sørensen was asked about his game he highlighted that “He was not too stressed, I think that he showed some of the things he can do. I liked that he was in the pressure, helped us winning the ball that we scored a goal from. I also liked his movements.”

Mackenzie had family and friends in the stands to support him on his big day, and got support from those on the team; commenting how they’re a “Great team, great group of guys. Really helpful, making me feel welcome, and making sure I’m best prepared for this game.”

Second Half Action 

The second half saw the Fire retake the lead 2-1 at the 62’ mark, and a minute later the Whitecaps had to rush to their own net to try to stop a 2-on-1, which they successfully did.

“We looked strong in the end. We looked as a team that could put the pressure on. In the end it was too late.” 

Despite finishing the game with force, the Whitecaps could not overcome the 2-1 deficit and at the 90’ + 5’ mark, the Fire sealed the deal by scoring another goal for a final score of 3-1.

Coming Back Stronger

Sørensen notes “We got a loss, we have been so fortunate that we haven’t had that feeling for a long time. And we know that we have to work everyday to get better because we had a perfect record but we are not a perfect team.”

Fans can expect the team to put in the work and get back to their winning ways on match day 6.

This is an opportunity for the Whitecaps to learn and grow from, and Sørensen will make sure to lead the team to do so, and as he says, “Every game is a new game.”

Looking Ahead

The Whitecaps hit the road for their last game of March against the Toronto FC in the MLS. 

They then came back to BC Place to play the Pumas UNAM on April 2, 2025 for leg of their CONCACAF matchup.

Still at BC Place they play Colorado in an MLS matchup before travelling to Mexico for leg 2 against the Pumas UNAM.