Photo Epic: Lunar New Year Celebration - Whitecaps FC vs Toronto FC - Feb 28, 2026
VANCOUVER - Celebrating Lunar New Year with a special edition warm up kit in collaboration with local artist Chairman Ting (@chairman_ting), the Whitecaps welcomed an all Canadian matchup, hosting Toronto FC, the only match these two teams will play against each other this season.
Bright red is an unusual colour for the Whitecaps to wear, but the details in the kit celebrate the large Chinese fanbase that they have, and Müller is a very popular player with the Chinese fan base dating back to his time with FC Bayern.
With that extra support Müller scored two goals, and Brian White scored his 80th goal as a member of the Whitecaps, moving into the 2nd all time franchise goal scoring position. The welcome wagon was also out for Cheikh Sabaly, who recently joined the team, and was brought in as a late stage substitution.
Yohei Takaoka recorded another clean sheet, the teams 4th in row across all competitions. The Whitecaps remain unbeaten against Toronto FC since 2020 in 9 competitions.
Müller started the match with chances a plenty. But it was AZ who drew the opportunity when he was taken down inside the penalty box, tripped up by Walker Zimmerman. In the 25th minute, Müller sent Gavran the wrong way and got his first goal of the match.
A staple of the Whitecaps toolbag; a Berhalter corner kick dipped to the far post, off a Laborda re-direction header, finding Müller's deflection for the brace. In first half stoppage time, yet another corner piece from Berhalter found a wide open Brian White, who found a wide open net, and essentially secured the win before halftime.
The second half was pure and simple game management. The Whitecaps didn't need to add to the scoring, all they had to do was control the rate of play, manage possession, and not allow Toronto FC to get anywhere near Takaoka who was only tested 5 times throughout the match.
The Whitecaps walked away with 58% match possession, took 14 shots on goal, and had 5 corner opportunities.
These warm up kits look incredible. (Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
The new Coastal Jersey is a good looking piece of kit as well. (Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
(Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
(Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
(Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
Some boys from the east. (Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
After match "STAND BY ME" celebrations. (Image Credit: Alex Bowen / Cascadia FC)
