Jasper Sorensen praised his team’s adaptability at both ends of the pitch after they delivered a dazzling performance against Inter Miami in the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semi-final on Thursday.

In front of an exuberant club-record crowd of 53,837 at BC Place, Brian White opened the scoring in the 24th minute with a clever header from Pedro Vite’s floated cross, before Sebastian Berhalter sealed the result with a late strike in the 85th minute.

More than the two crucial goals, what will undoubtedly please Sorensen is a defensive effort that saw them shut out a star-studded Miami side featuring Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.

The win extended the Whitecaps’ unbeaten streak in all competitions to six matches.

Reflecting on the win and its ramifications ahead of returning to MLS action, Sorensen hailed his side’s performance both in attack and defence.

“I think it's fair to say that a lot of people who have seen us play have been happy with the attack, but we've been a good defensive team,” Sorensen said.

“We also showed that even when the way we would like to play doesn't really work, and we make too many bad passes, and we lose the ball way too easily, then we can still rely on our structure and rely on our defensive side.

“It was great, an amazing evening and amazing atmosphere, playing in an amazing stadium for great fans and everybody coming out.

“It was exciting, obviously. If you can't be excited about a night like that, then it's difficult.”

Indeed, the Whitecaps gave their home fans plenty to get excited about, and they can continue to feel that joy as the focus shifts back to MLS action.

Sorensen’s side sit atop the Western Conference standings, with four points separating them from second-placed Austin FC, who held them to a goalless draw in their last MLS outing, and third-placed Minnesota.

Minnesota were likewise held to a goalless draw by Dallas FC last time out, with profligacy in front of goal impacting both sides.

Tani Oluwaseyi spurned a good chance for Minnesota, while Lucho Acosta was wasteful with his opportunities for Dallas.

“Look, it’s momentum. It’s a clean sheet. There’s lots of components of the performance that we’d be really happy with,” Minnesota head coach Eric Ramsay said.

“It’s a game that we dominated in a number of ways. So, um, I think it’s one where we would say there’s more good than bad.

“But we have to find that conviction in turning territory, chances, intensity, and energy from the crowd into goals and wins. That’s a really important thing for us.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Tani Oluwaseyi

Oluwaseyi has scored five goals over his last five matches, though he has gone goalless in his last two against Toronto FC and Dallas.

In all, he leads Minnesota with five goals and one assist in MLS play this season.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Brian White

White scored the opening goal in Vancouver’s surprise win over Miami on Thursday. The American has also scored six goals in MLS play this season, while adding five in the Champions Cup.

White’s 53 goals with the Whitecaps are the third-most for a single MLS team since he joined the club in June 2021.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA UNITED WIN

Despite the Whitecaps’ stellar form, Minnesota are pegged as slight favourites.

Vancouver, though, are unbeaten in their first four away matches of a season for the second time in club history (also in 2024).

Sorensen’s side have also kept clean sheets in each of their last three away matches, their longest run of road clean sheets in regular-season play since a four-match span in 2014-15.

With their scoreless draw against Dallas, Minnesota equalled their longest unbeaten run in club history at eight (W4 D4).

Each of the Loons’ last two matches have been scoreless draws, though they will be expected to make home advantage count on Sunday.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 44.2%

Draw – 26.8%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 29%