By The Canadian Press

Jackson scores, Vancouver Whitecaps blank Real Salt Lake 1-0 in MLS season opener

Feb 21, 2026 | 6:46 PM

VANCOUVER — It took little time for Aziel Jackson to become a target on Saturday night.

The American midfielder may be a new addition to the Vancouver Whitecaps’ roster, but Real Salt Lake quickly keyed in on his talent and used their physicality to try and limit his opportunities.

The extra attention is just fine by Jackson.

“I welcome it all. I welcome it all,” he said with a grin. “The more they keep following me, the hungrier it makes me to keep going at them. The more they keep trying to get under my skin, the more I smile, the more I play with joy.”

Jackson sparked joy in the 57th minute, scoring his first goal in a Whitecaps jersey. The tally lifted Vancouver to a 1-0 victory in its first game of the Major League Soccer season.

Golden Anniversaries

Canadian comedy-drama to set foot on Chilliwack stage in March

7h ago

Road Round-Up

Police take 3 prohibited drivers off Mission roads, including biker doing wheelie in traffic

13h ago

Missing 70-year-old

RCMP seek missing senior in Burnaby who 'may appear disoriented'

14h ago

“Man, it felt amazing,” he said. “Incredible atmosphere, great turnout by the fans. And I was just happy to get this three points at home in the first game of the season.”

Vancouver (1-0-0) had ample chances across the game, outshooting the visitors 13-10, with a 5-2 edge in on-target shots.

Real Salt Lake (0-1-0) was playing without Diego Luna, their leading scorer last season, after the midfielder was injured in training earlier in the week.

The ‘Caps side struggled at times to manage RSL’s aggression, but found ways in the second half to poke holes in the defensive line and work their way into the final third.

“I think it was a very good win for us,” said head coach Jesper Sorensen. “It was not the prettiest, but it was a very, very good win. And I can never talk about the player’s mentality — it’s always excellent. But the rhythm of play, we struggle a little bit right now, but we’ll find it.”

RSL and the Whitecaps traded chances early on Saturday, and Vancouver came within inches in the 16th minute.

Thomas Muller launched a left-footed shot from above the penalty area, sending the ball under the arms of RSL ‘keeper Rafael Cabral, but his shot pinged off the post.

Moments later, Salt Lake took advantage of a defensive miscue when Mattias Laborda tried to get the ball to Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka for a goal kick. Ariath Piol picked off the pass and got a shot off from just outside the six-yard box, hitting the outside netting.

The ‘Caps had another prime chance in the 30th minute when striker Emmanuel Sabbi blasted a long-range rocket on net, only to see Cabral drop to his knees and gobble up the shot.

Piol put a ball in the back of the Vancouver net with a sliding shot in the 38th minute but the offside flag quickly went up and the goal was called back. A lengthy video review confirmed the play was offside.

“They had an opportunity where it was offside and it was very close,” Sorensen said. “And we got lucky in that situation.”

Wing back Tate Johnson orchestrated Jackson’s goal in the 57th minute, driving hard into the penalty area and chipping a pass into the six-yard box. Jackson gave it a left-footed touch, directing the ball in past Cabral for his first goal of the season.

“Someone played me a good ball where I was able to take a good touch. And then my job then is just to put it in the box and let AZ do his thing. So it got a little deflection, but AZ had a great finish on that,” Johnson said.

Vancouver acquired Jackson on loan from Polish side Jagiellonia Białystok at the end of January.

The 24-year-old midfielder started his professional soccer career in MLS with Minnesota United and bounced around the league before landing with the Columbus Crew, who then loaned him out in July 2025.

The young talent believes spending six months in Europe made him a better player — and a better person.

“Just being in a part of the world where not most people are used to going to, especially being a couple of hours from Ukraine, it was great. It was an interesting experience,” he said.

“I’d never been to the eastern part of Europe, but just being there and seeing their way of football just gave me a lot more hunger in my game today. And I’d definitely say being in Poland, being in that part of the world is completely different, and I’m just grateful to have that experience to now come back to the MLS and showcase what I can do.”

It’s been a busy week for the ‘Caps, who were in Costa Rica on Wednesday where they battled C.S. Cartagines to a 0-0 draw to open their CONCACAF Champions Cup run.

Vancouver will be back on the field at B.C. Place this Wednesday when they host Cartagines for the back half of the two-legged aggregate series.

NOTES

Takaoka made two saves for his first clean sheet of the season. He led the league with 13 last season. … Real Salt Lake received three yellow cards across the match while the Whitecaps got two cautions. … The match drew an announced crowd of 23,546 and marked Vancouver’s 500th regular-season MLS game.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps return to MLS play on Feb. 28 when they entertain Canadian rivals Toronto FC in Vancouver. RSL will host the Seattle Sounders the same night.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2026.

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press