In a vital Western Conference duel with huge playoff ramifications, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC overturned a two-goal lead and made a dramatic second-half comeback to upset the Portland Timbers 3-2 on Wednesday night at Providence Park. In the 63rd minute, Déiber Caicedo began the Whitecaps' comeback with a stunning solo move carrying the ball from the halfway line, racing past multiple Timbers' defenders before finishing with a low, powerful shot that drew Vancouver within one.

Brian White, who has scored or assisted on 10 of the Whitecaps' previous 12 goals, kept his hot streak going in the 75th minute, hitting the equalizer off Bruno Gaspar's cross to make it 2-2. The Whitecaps completed their dramatic comeback seven minutes later. Cristian Dájome stepped up to the penalty spot after drawing a foul in the box and calmly dispatched it into the bottom-left corner, sending Steve Clark the wrong way to give the visitors a 3-2 lead. Portland got out to a fast start, scoring their first goal in the 15th minute. Cristhian Paredes settled the ball above the Whitecaps' box before passing it to Yimmi Chara, who scored a 1-0 home goal with a precise strike — struck first time – into the bottom-left corner.

Dairon Asprilla extended Portland's advantage just before halftime. As the ball found its way to Yimmi Chara, the Timbers swiftly pounced on a Vancouver turnover. His initial pass was intercepted, but the ball rebounded back to the Colombian striker, who swiftly picked out fellow countryman Asprilla, who ran in behind Maxime Crépeau and fired past him for a 2-0 lead.

The comeback of Vancouver was legendary, and it's even more incredible when you realize the stakes. The Whitecaps have jumped over Real Salt Lake into eighth place in the Western Conference rankings with only four games remaining. Importantly, Vancouver kept pace with a number of other Western Conference playoff contenders who also won three points on Wednesday night. Meanwhile, the Timbers have now lost only twice in their previous ten games. With a three-point advantage over the Whitecaps, the pressure is on Portland to turn things around as the 2021 season draws to a close.

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Scott Boldt]