Ryan Gauld nets hat trick as Vancouver Whitecaps thump Portland Timbers 5-0 in MLS wild-card game

It was a result the Vancouver Whitecaps could hardly have imagined.

With their season at stake, the 'Caps achieved a resounding 5-0 victory over the Portland Timbers in a wild-card matchup on Wednesday, securing a spot in Major League Soccer's playoffs.

"I think we were all confident of coming here and being able to win, but I don't think many of us were expecting a result like that," said captain Ryan Gauld. "Just a really good performance overall and good to get the five goals."

The Whitecaps will now face the top seed in the Western Conference, Los Angeles FC, in a best-of-three first-round series starting Sunday. Vancouver entered Wednesday's game in eighth place in the conference, having gone winless in their last seven MLS matches and lost four straight.

Gauld, who led Vancouver's dynamic attack with three goals and an assist, emphasized that the win showcased the team's true potential.

"We've been off a bit for the past few weeks, but [this performance] shows that when we piece it together and play to the level that we can, we're a really good side," said the Scottish attacking midfielder.

Brian White and Stuart Armstrong also scored, while goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka made four saves, achieving the first postseason shutout of his career.

"When Ryan Gauld leads the team like he does today, everything becomes easier for everyone else," said Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini. "The performance that he put on today? It's massive. I don't know in the history of the Whitecaps if there's a performance better than this. … What he did today is astonishing."

The game took place at the ninth-place Timbers' home stadium, despite the Whitecaps finishing higher in the regular-season standings. Vancouver gave up home-field advantage due to a scheduling conflict at B.C. Place.

A hostile crowd did not deter the 'Caps from applying early pressure.

Gauld opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Armstrong delivered a corner into the penalty area. Vancouver striker Fafa Picault got a shot off, but Timbers goalie James Pantemis punched it away. Portland failed to clear the ball, which bobbled until it reached Gauld, who fired a right-footed shot that ricocheted off Timbers defender Claudio Bravo on the goal line.

The 'Caps struck again in the 24th minute when defender Mattias Laborda chipped a pass to White, who deftly picked it up and blasted a shot past Pantemis, extending the lead to 2-0.

Vancouver took a three-goal lead into halftime when Armstrong set up Gauld at the right side of the box, allowing the Scotsman to unleash an arching shot that sailed over the Portland keeper in the 31st minute.

The offensive barrage continued early in the second half.

In the 51st minute, Picault sent a ball into the penalty area for Armstrong, who dove for a header that found its way just inside the post, giving the 'Caps a 4-0 lead.

The Scottish midfielder blew a kiss to the crowd as he celebrated with his teammates.

Gauld scored again in the 59th minute, tapping a pass from Armstrong, taking a couple of steps, and blasting a shot into the Portland net to complete his hat trick. He then held a finger to his lips to quiet the crowd.

While Vancouver's attack was formidable, Gauld noted that a significant part of the victory came from effectively containing the Timbers' offense.

"They've had one of the best goal-scoring records in the whole league," he said. "And to keep them mostly quiet for 90 minutes is a big thing we can take from it."

The Whitecaps will now face LAFC in a rematch of last year's first-round playoff series, in which L.A. eliminated Vancouver in two games.

After struggling at the end of the regular season, this decisive win provides a confidence boost for the 'Caps heading into a challenging matchup, according to Armstrong.

"We knew we were a good team full of potential, but the more you say it without actually giving the results and performances, the effect starts to wear off," he said. "So to have such a big performance when it matters and now propelling us into the playoffs, the timing is great."