? Vancouver defeat LAFC on penalties to reach MLS Conference Finals

? Vancouver defeat LAFC on penalties to reach MLS Conference Finals

The Vancouver Whitecaps kicked off the 2025 MLS conference semi-finals with an action-packed win against LAFC which was ultimately decided by penalties.

Having being eliminated by LAFC in each of the last two postseasons, Vancouver were finally able to exact revenge on Steve Cherundolo's side and advance to the Western conference finals for the first time in club history.

Scorers: Sabbi 39', Laborda 45+1' ; Son 60', 90+5'

Penalties: Vancouver Whitecaps 4 - 3 LAFC

Vancouver began the match with energy and enthusiasm in attack, led by Canada international Ali Ahmed, who terrorized LAFC's defence throughout the first-half.

Eventually, Vancouver took a well-deserved lead as Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka played a long-ball right over the LAFC backline to find Emmanuel Sabbi, who chipped the oncoming goalkeeper.

WHAT A BALL! ?
WHAT A RUN! ?️
WHAT A CHIP! ?

Filthy pass from Yohei Takaoka to Emmanuel Sabbi to open the scoring for the @WhitecapsFC // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/VlWEzLK0Ii

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025

Then, minutes later, Thomas Müller's header was saved by Hugo Lloris off a Whitecaps corner. However, Mathías Laborda tapped the rebound through Lloris' legs to double the Whitecaps' advantage.

Following two key substitutions from Cherundolo, LAFC began the second-half on the front foot. Son Heung-min got one back after a goalmouth scramble which saw his previous attempts saved and cleared off the line.

Son Heung-Min strikes! ?@LAFC cut the lead in half. Game on. // Audi MLS Cup Playoffs pic.twitter.com/w3S8rN1Qu7

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025

Then, with only minutes of second-half stoppage-time remaining, the South Korean superstar stepped up and curled an astonishing free-kick into the top left-corner to complete his brace and level things up.

SON HEUNG MIN FREE KICK EQUALIZER IN THE 95TH MINUTE! ??@LAFC // AUDI MLS CUP PLAYOFFS pic.twitter.com/LDF3RYWXsG

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 23, 2025

Son and his teammates bursted away in celebration with the match heading into extra-time moments later.

Following two dramatic periods of extra-time which saw Vancouver reduced to nine players and LAFC come extremely close, the match headed to penalties.

In the end, Laborda sent Lloris the wrong way and fired the decisive penalty into the top-right corner to win it for Vancouver.

The Whitecaps will now face San Diego or Minnesota United for a place in the MLS Cup final. However, they will be without MLS defender of the year Tristan Blackmon who received a second yellow card which led to Son's equalizer.

While, after an incredible, late-season turnaround led by Son Heung-min, LAFC's 2025 MLS season has finally come to an end.

? Jeff Vinnick - 2025 Getty Images

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