VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Mathias Laborda and Brian White each scored a goal on Saturday, Yohei Takaoka had his fourth shutout of the season, and the Vancouver Whitecaps beat New York City FC 2-0.
The Whitecaps (6-1-0) are off to their best start in club history (MLS era).
Click to Gallery
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front left, and Thomas Muller celebrate White's goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against New York City FC, in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and New York City FC's Maximiliano Moralez, right, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) stops Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda (2) and Tristan Blackmon (33) celebrate after Laborda's goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against New York City FC in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Matt Freese had eight saves for NYCFC (3-2-2).
Laborda opened the scoring in the 45th minute. Sebastian Berhalter played an arcing free kick to the center of the area and Laborda put away a leaping volley.
Berhalter leads the team with nine goal contributions (four goals, five assists) this season.
White flicked home a diving header, off an entry pass played by Bruno Caicedo, to cap the scoring in the 87th minute.
The Whitecaps outshot NYCFC 23-12, 10-2 on target.
The teams played for the first time since a 1-1 tie on Sept. 2, 2023.
Vancouver went into the game leading MLS in goals scored with 17, while New York City (14) was tied with Dallas for second.
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White, front left, and Thomas Muller celebrate White's goal during the second half of an MLS soccer match against New York City FC, in Vancouver, on Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Sebastian Berhalter (16) and New York City FC's Maximiliano Moralez, right, vie for the ball during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
New York City FC goalkeeper Matt Freese (49) stops Vancouver Whitecaps' Brian White (not shown) during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Vancouver Whitecaps' Mathias Laborda (2) and Tristan Blackmon (33) celebrate after Laborda's goal during the first half of an MLS soccer match against New York City FC in Vancouver, British Columbia, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press via AP)
Skylar Diggins is headed to Chicago while Satou Sabally is coming to New York as WNBA free agents can officially sign Saturday.
Diggins spent the past two seasons with the Seattle Storm before coming to the Sky — a move announced on social media. The seven-time All-Star gives the team another veteran guard and brings her closer to where she grew up in South Bend, Indiana. She averaged 15.5 points and 6.0 assists last season.
Sabally's move to New York was confirmed by her agent Zack Miller. She joins an already stacked roster as Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu already said they'll be back in New York.
Sabally also looked at coming to the Liberty last season when she was also a free agent before landing with the Phoenix Mercury. Sabally averaged 16.3 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists to earn a All-Star spot — her third.
She raised her game in the postseason, averaging 19 points and seven rebounds before suffering a concussion in Game 3 of the series against Las Vegas that caused her to miss the final game of the series.
While Diggins and Sabally are changing teams, Kelsey Mitchell and Dearica Hamby are staying put. Mitchell will continue her time in Indiana pairing with Caitlin Clark for one of the most talented backcourts in the league.
“For nearly a decade, Kelsey has been a foundational piece of the Indiana Fever and securing her return was our highest priority. Kelsey Mitchell is among the top of a long list of a great athletes who have elevated not only our city and franchise, but their sport as a whole,” Fever general manager Amber Cox said. “She further cemented her legacy last season, and we hope her return underscores how much she is valued by our entire organization.”
Hamby announced on social media that she was returning to the Los Angeles Sparks. The three-time All-Star will be part of a talented group that includes newly signed Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Plum and Cameron Brink.
Other moves announced Saturday include Arike Ogunbowale re-signing with Dallas and Jessica Shepard joining the Wings. Natisha Hiedeman's heading to Seattle.
The expansion Tempo signed Brittney Sykes to partner with Marina Mabrey in the backcourt. Sykes averaged 14.1 points, 4.0 assists and 3.2 rebounds while playing for Washington and Seattle last season.
“Brittney is an elite competitor who impacts winning on both ends of the floor,” Tempo general manager Monica Wright Rogers said. “Her defensive versatility, toughness and leadership set a standard, and adding a player of her caliber and All-Star experience is a significant step as we continue to build our roster.”
Mabrey, who was selected by the Tempo in the expansion draft, averaged 14.4 points last season as well as being a secondary playmaker and physical perimeter defender.
The Portland Fire signed unrestricted free agent forward Bridget Carleton, the first overall pick in the WNBA expansion draft.
Carleton played for the last seven seasons for the Minnesota Lynx and averaged 6.5 points and 3.6 rebounds a game last season off the bench.
“I’m so honored and excited to be part of the group bringing the WNBA back to Portland,” Carleton said in a statement. “I can’t wait to get to work and to help build something special in Rose City.”
The Fire also signed veteran guard Karlie Samuelson on Saturday. Samuelson played for the Lynx last season, appearing in 16 games. She’s also played for the Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings, Seattle Storm, Phoenix Mercury and Washington Mystics over seven seasons in the WNBA.
Diggins wasn’t the only player the Sky signed on the first day of free agency. Chicago is bringing back forward Azura Stevens, who helped the franchise win a title in 2021.
“I’m truly excited to be coming home to join the Chicago Sky,” Stevens said. “This city means everything to me. The culture, the people, the passion for the game. To have the opportunity to come back to Chicago is amazing. I’m ready to get to work, embrace the moment, and give everything I have. Let’s work.”
Stevens played the past three years with the Sparks, finishing second in Most Improved Player voting last season. She averaged 12.8 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.
“We couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring back Azura, a pivotal part of our championship team,” Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said. “Stevens brings a versatile element to our frontcourt as a shooter and shot blocker that we’re confident will pair nicely with the players we have under contract.”
Chicago also re-signed guard Courtney Vandersloot to a multiyear deal according to a person familiar with the negotiations. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been announced. Vandersloot tore her ACL last year in June.
The Sky also acquired guard Jacy Sheldon from the Washington Mystics. The Mystics receive Chicago’s 2028 first-round pick.
The Sky re-signed center Elizabeth Williams, who has been with the team since 2023. She averaged 8.5 points and 5.2 rebounds last season, appearing in 43 games with 15 starts.
The Dream brought back Rhyne Howard and Jordin Canada on Saturday to go along with Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones and Naz Hillmon to lock in their core group.
“This is a group that believes in Atlanta, believes in each other and is united in the pursuit of a championship,” Dream GM Dan Padover said. “Allisha, Brionna, Jordin, Naz and Rhyne represent the standard we are building here in Atlanta; talented, unselfish and fully committed to winning. Their decision to continue building together, in this city and with each other, speaks to their belief in our vision and culture — one built to win, with great players and even better people.”
The group was instrumental in the Dream’s 2025 season, which included 30 wins and a .682 winning percentage, the best marks in team history.
In addition to re-signing Mitchell and Lexie Hull, the Fever brought in free agent forward Monique Billings following a one-year stint with the expansion Golden State Valkyries. Billings appeared in 26 games, averaging 7.3 points per game.
AP Sports Writer Anne M. Peterson in Portland, Oregon, contributed to this report.
AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball
FILE - Phoenix Mercury forward Satou Sabally (0) looks to pass against the Minnesota Lynx during the first half of Game 2 of a WNBA basketball playoff semifinals series Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)
FILE - Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins moves the ball against New York Liberty during a WNBA basketball game Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
