Vancouver Whitecaps 4–1 Portland Timbers: Player Ratings From Cascadia Cup Trouncing in Season Opener

Vancouver Whitecaps FC seem to know how to beat the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.

After trouncing the Timbers 5–0 in the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs Wildcard game, Vancouver started the 2025 season with a 4–1 win over the Timbers on a soaking wet Sunday afternoon in the Rose City.

New signing Jayden Nelson led the way for the Whitecaps, scoring a goal and posting three assists to Ryan Gauld, Pedro Vite and Sam Adekugbe. The Canadian international pressed high and had four interceptions, tormenting Portland’s defense in wide areas.

IT'S THE JAYDEN NELSON GAME!

What a run. What a finish. One goal. Three assists. pic.twitter.com/qWij3QnkNa
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) February 23, 2025

For the Timbers, the season couldn’t have started much worse. Not only did center back Kamal Miller take a red card for denying a goalscoring opportunity to Brian White in the 11th minute, but goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau also struggled in distribution and against Vancouver's fluid attack.

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David da Costa made his debut for the Timbers, replacing former Designated Player midfielder Evander, but struggled to put up a fight to Nelson’s performance, which earned Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen his first win on the Canadian club’s touchline.

Brazilian attacker Antony scored a 72nd minute consolation goal for the Timbers, giving something for the Timbers Army faithful to celebrate on an otherwise lackluster afternoon.

Here are the player ratings from the Whitecaps’ 4–1 win over the Timbers.