Good Monday morning Caps fans, hope you all had a good weekend and that you are all rested up to embrace the week ahead.

Well, the wait for what Jesper Sorensen would cook up over the international break was worth it.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think we’d see a 7-0 beat down of Philadelphia, who topped the Supporters Shield standings, at BC Place, with Vancouver turning in their best performance of 2025 and one of their finest in their MLS history.

Sure, Philadelphia had a challenge traveling cross country after the international window. And, like the Caps, they have a cup match in the midweek. But man, that was a statement of intent from Vancouver.

Sorensen was shorthanded in his options but seems to have whipped his players into shape as far as his vision for a post Mueller world is concerned. From the opening whistle it was champaign football and Vancouver ripped apart the Union. Alejandro Bedoya will have nightmares about Ali Ahmed, who was granted the space to torture the right side of the Philly defense. After a fine international window, it was a scintillating night for Ahmed, whose second assist was nothing short of brilliant.

Emmanuel Sabbi grabbed a well-deserved brace, with two excellent finishes. Sabbi hasn’t been the most consistent at times this season but this showed that he can be a top level attacking piece. His movement and finish on his second was spectacular and he seems to have a good understanding with Mueller. And that usually spells success.

This match showed why Mueller is so exciting. Not because of his hat trick (though that doesn’t hurt) but because of little moments like his assist on the fifth goal, where he he tricks the defense and makes the slickest of passes. Those moves show that the German still has plenty of life left in his career and adds the bit of final third quality that sometimes Vancouver miss. And his comments after the match and body language on the pitch show a player who is fully bought into this team, this city and this organization, refreshing from an aging European star who could easily make it all about him — but doesn’t.

In front of yet another sold out crowd it was a party from start to finish. Seb Berhalter was back to his early season best, the backline didn’t give an inch and even Rayan Elloumi got in on the fun with his first ever MLS goal, a moment he and his family won’t soon forget. It was just the sort of lift Vancouver needed with a tough run in looming and it was the sort of statement that should remind MLS that they are not to be trifled with in the playoffs (which oh by the way they qualified for). This was the type of play we were used to from earlier this season and the Caps decided to bring it back at exactly the right time.

Shameless Self Promotion

We have all the details from Saturday’s triumph in our post-match analysis. Meanwhile, the podcast takes stock of everything before the stretch run commences.

Best of the Rest

More from the birthday boy on the seven-goal win and what it means for the rest of the season.

Elloumi’s goal on Saturday came alongside a first team contract, one which is certainly well-earned after his MLS NEXT Pro campaign.

Forge now have moved ahead of an MLS team in the CONCACAF club rankings — a big achievement for a CPL side.

Pacific and Vancouver FC have both elected to bring in new goalkeepers as the CPL stretch run begins.