Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (24) scores on Austin FC's goalkeeper Brad Stuver (1) during the second half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
May 16, 2025 - 2:08 PM
VANCOUVER - Austin, Texas, will always be a special place for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ali Ahmed.
The Canadian international made his Major League Soccer debut there on April 23, 2022, with his family looking on from the stands.
“Everytime I go back there, you kind of reminisce a little bit," he said this week. "For me, I’m looking forward to going back to Austin. Beautiful city, stadium’s lovely. And that’s where it all started for me.”
The game didn't end well for the 'Caps, who were blanked 3-0, but the moment still lives large in Ahmed's memory.
“I’ve come a long way, honestly. I remember my first game there, when I came on, I thought ‘Holy. This league is very tough,’" he said. "But now, just with the experience, things have slowed down. I think I’ve grown a lot.”
Ahmed has become a regular fixture in Vancouver's starting lineup and has a team-high five assists in league play this season.
He'll have another chance to make memories in ATX on Saturday when the Whitecaps (8-1-3) visit Austin FC.
“We know Austin’s a tough place to play. The heat, it’s also a great stadium with fans," he said. "We’re going to enjoy it. It’s been a memorable place for us in the last couple of years.”
The 'Caps head into Saturday's game on an 11-game undefeated streak (6-0-5) across all competitions.
Vancouver also remains atop the MLS Western Conference standings after battling Los Angeles FC to a 2-2 draw at home last Sunday.
Unlike many other teams across the league, the Whitecaps didn't have a mid-week game this week and are well-rested going into Austin.
"We just have to trust what we are doing," said head coach Jesper Sorensen. "We have had good training sessions here (this week) and that’s what has to carry over to the games. And then we will be fine.”
Austin is looking to snap a four-game winless streak (0-3-1) in league play after taking a 1-1 draw against Atlanta United on Wednesday.
The squad also wants to avenge the lopsided 5-1 loss it suffered in Vancouver on April 12.
Despite the final score, the first half of that game was "quite even," Sorensen said, noting that his side was up 2-0 at the break.
"And then in the second half, when the pitch opened up, we really took advantage and could have scored a lot of goals in the second half," he said. "We of course scored three, but could even have done more.”
Whitecaps striker Brian White scored four goals in the victory, becoming the first player in Vancouver's MLS era to accomplish the feat.
The club will once again look to set him up this weekend, said Ahmed, who contributed an assist on one of White's two goals against LAFC on Sunday.
“Hopefully Brian can get another four," he said. "We’ll find Brian again and hopefully look for him to continue his scoring form.”
Finding the back of the net will likely be more difficult this time around, Sorensen said.
Austin has had a chance to review what went wrong in last month's loss and will feed off their frenzied fans.
"In front of their home crowd, they will be energized, maybe, and try to come out strong and see if they can hit us hard," the coach said. "But we will be ready.”
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS (8-1-3) AT AUSTIN FC (5-6-2)
HISTORY BOOKS: Saturday will mark the 10th all-time matchup between the two clubs. Vancouver has traditionally fared well against Austin and holds a 6-1-2 record.
ROAD WARRIORS: The 'Caps are undefeated on the road in league play this season (3-0-2). They're the only Western Conference team still without a loss away from home.
STILL WHITE HOT: White earned MLS player of the match day honours after bagging a brace in Vancouver's draw with LAFC. The American striker is tied for the third-most goals in the league this season (eight) and sits just four away from hitting 100 across his career.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2025