Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you are enjoying the first days of September and the last days of summer.

We’re in the thick of the international break, with only a week left on our forced hiatus from the Whitecaps. Then, the stretch run begins with a flurry of matches — a total of five in the final two weeks of September. Buckle up folks.

The pause has made me reflect a bit on what would have to happen the rest of the way to make me satisfied with how this season has gone. In truth, it is a bit unfair of a premise because the way this season has already panned out has surpassed anyone’s reasonable expectations for 2025. And things are set up for next season in a way where this doesn’t have to be a last rodeo for the Caps — they will likely be picked to be one of the Western Conference’s top teams next season as well.

Still, the best two-thirds of a season in the team’s MLS history would certainly be dinged if the end of the year was a flop. The hefty defeat to Cruz Azul in the CCC final means that everyone, players and fans alike, want a better showing on a big stage. And the first round playoff exits of the last couple of seasons have jaded a certain segment of the fanbase.

Winning the Voyageurs Cup is probably a bare minimum for what folks would consider a success the rest of the way, given that Vancouver is far and away the biggest team left standing. The Cascadia Cup is also eminently attainable, with a point probably enough to see the Caps win that trophy for only the second time in the last eight years. Given that Portland and Seattle are playoff teams, that certainly would be no small feat.

Winning the Western Conference certainly remains possible but will be tough. And I don’t think it is a requirement for us all to feel good about this season, though it certainly would be nice. The Caps did finish second in 2015 but that was a very different time for MLS, with only 20 teams in the league. Finishing top two would mean a bit more now, I’d say.

And finishing second would be a boon for the playoffs as well. I’d say there has been a difference in quality between Austin, Portland and Colorado/San Jose and the teams above them. Not that I’d feel great about any of those teams in a best of three series (I’ve watched enough of these to know better) but you’d rather them than, say LAFC for the one millionth time. Plus, maybe Brian White will channel his four goal performance against Austin.

Ultimately, though, the run in will be about more of what this team has been so good at delivering all season long: memorable moments that will outlive the memory of who finished in what position in the standings. Winning stuff matters, of course, but so do the late winners in Mexico or the four goal performances, defining events that often this franchise has lacked during the MLS years. This year has had it in spades and I have a feeling we’ll have more in store down the stretch run.

Best of the Rest

A late goal burst helped the Whitecaps 2 defeat Tacoma Defiance, a result that keeps them smack dab in the middle of the playoff spots.

Congrats to Andres Cubas and Paraguay, who officially booked their ticket to the 2026 World Cup with a 0-0 draw against Pedro Vite’s Ecuador.

Thomas Muller is back in Germany on holiday but is clearly finding time to get some training in with his old club.

We still await word on the punishment for Inter Miami players from the Leagues Cup fracas, though discipline from MLS is also possible.

Alphonso Davies is progressing in his recovery and could be back with the Canadian National Team by November.