The Vancouver Whitecaps are officially in the Main League Soccer playoffs after posting a resounding 5-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in a wild-card matchup on Wednesday.
Vancouver captain Ryan Gauld scored a hat trick and recorded an assist, while Brian White and Stuart Armstrong each contributed a single goal.
Yohei Takaoka made four saves to keep a clean sheet.
Portland head coach Phil Neville opted to start goaltender James Pantemis instead of regular starter Maxime Crepeau. Pantemis stopped three shots on goal.
The 'Caps came into the game in eighth place in the Western Conference after going winless in their last seven MLS games and losing four in a row. The Timbers finished the overall season in ninth place.
Vancouver will now face top-seeded Los Angeles FC in a best-of-three first-round series starting Sunday.
The game was played at the Timbers' home stadium even though the Whitecaps were the top seed. Vancouver gave up home field advantage due to a scheduling conflict at BC Place.
A hostile crowd didn't stop the 'Caps from putting pressure on the Timbers early Wednesday.
Gauld opened the scoring in the 20th minute, moments after Armstrong launched a ball into the penalty area following a corner kick.
Vancouver forward Fafa Picault took a shot and Pantemis punched it away, but Portland failed to clear. The ball floated to Gauld's foot and the attacking midfielder fired with his right foot, hitting Timbers defender Claudio Bravo on the goal line.
Four minutes later, Whitecaps defender Mattias Laborda lofted a pass over the six-yard box to White. The American striker picked it up deftly and slotted it past Pantemis to give the visitors a 2-0 lead.
The 'Caps took a three-goal lead into the locker room after Armstrong fired at Gauld on the right side of the box and the Scot unleashed an arcing shot past the Portland goalkeeper in the 31st minute.
The locals had a couple of opportunities at the end of the first half.
Evander shot home in the 40th minute, only to see Takaoka reach in and send the ball over the bar.
The Brazilian midfielder had a great opportunity four minutes later on a free kick, sending a ball to David Ayala in the area. Ayala tried to head the ball but the ball went over the net.
Each team recorded six shots during the first half, but while the Whitecaps' six were on target, the Timbers only tested Takaoka twice.
Vancouver continued its offensive attack early in the second half.
In the 51st minute, Picault sent a ball into the penalty area for Armstrong, who dove for a header and hit the ball just inside the post to give the 'Caps a 4-0 lead.
The Scottish midfielder blew a kiss to the crowd as he ran to celebrate with his teammates.
The Whitecaps' other Scot scored again in the 59th minute.
Armstrong passed to Gauld, who took a couple of steps and fired another shot into the Portland net to complete his hat trick. He then put a finger to his lips to calm the crowd.
The Timbers' frustrations seemed to boil over in the 85th minute when Kamal Miller collected the ball after a whistle, leading to some jostling with Vancouver's Ryan Raposo.
The brief melee resulted in a free throw for the 'Caps. Sebastian Berhalter threw a pass to Damir Kreilach near the six-yard box and the veteran midfielder headed a header over the net.
Vancouver is the last Canadian MLS club left in this year's playoff race after CF Montreal lost its wild card game to Atlanta United on penalties on Tuesday.
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