Vancouver Whitecaps coach Jesper Sorensen believes juggling multiple competitions early in the season might help them perform to their best level in MLS.

The Whitecaps open their 2026 campaign at home to Real Salt Lake on Saturday, having finished as MLS Cup runners-up last year.

They only finished below San Diego FC on goal difference at the top of the Western Conference, then eliminated the expansion team – as well as FC Dallas and Los Angeles FC – en route to the season's showpiece match.

There, they were beaten 3-1 by a Lionel Messi-inspired Inter Miami side, having drawn level through Ali Ahmed in the second half.

Vancouver travelled to Costa Rica for a goalless draw with Cartagines in the CONCACAF Champions Cup on Wednesday, with the second leg of that first-round tie coming next week.

And Sorensen feels that may help his team hit their stride early, saying: "I think it's a good thing that we get going from the start and we have some more games.

"We have been preparing well for this, and it was the same last year. Of course, your schedule also depends on how you do in those games, but in general, I should not complain.

"We want to be in these competitions, and when you are, you have a stacked program with a lot of matches. We will go forward with this attitude."

Real Salt Lake finished ninth in the West last year, only to fall at the first postseason hurdle against the Portland Timbers in the wild-card round.

Diego Luna was their standout player, also earning plaudits for his performances for the US national team, and head coach Pablo Mastroeni expects him to star again in 2026.

"We're expecting just another step forward from him, into more of a leadership role", Mastroeni said of Luna. 

"I think he realises the impact of how he can help the team both with the ball and also emotionally. I think this year, it's about continuing to progress."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

Vancouver Whitecaps – Thomas Muller

Muller has recorded at least one goal contribution on each of his five career MLS starts (six goals, three assists in those starts). The last player to have a goal contribution in each of his first six MLS starts was the Chicago Fire's Brandt Bronico in 2018.

Real Salt Lake – Diego Luna

Luna scored nine times for Real Salt Lake in 2025, more than twice as many as any other player on the team (three players scored four times).

RSL were one of two teams (also Toronto FC) with just one five-goal scorer, and this was the first time in club history that only one player scored five or more goals in a season for them. They will hope to provide Luna with more support this year.

MATCH PREDICTION – VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Only one of the 25 meetings between Vancouver and Real Salt Lake since September 2014 has ended in a draw, with Vancouver holding the advantage with 13 wins to RSL's 11.

The last eight meetings between the sides have been drawn (one) or decided by a one-goal margin, though, so it could be a hard-fought affair. 

After going unbeaten in 14 straight season-opening matches from 2010 to 2023, Real Salt Lake have lost their last two yearly openers. 

In fact, RSL had lost only two of their first 19 season-opening matches (W7 D10) prior to losing each of their last two.

And the Whitecaps are major favourites after reaching the MLS Cup final for the very first time last year. Their 63 points, 18 wins and 66 goals in 2025 were all the most in a single season in club history.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 63.8%

Real Salt Lake – 16.9%

Draw – 19.3%