Scotland international Ryan Gauld scored a hat-trick as the Vancouver Whitecaps thrashed the Portland Timbers 5-0 to set up an MLS Cup first-round clash against Los Angeles FC on Wednesday.
Gauld’s superb treble laid the foundation for an emphatic victory at Portland’s Providence Park, with fellow Scot Stuart Armstrong and American Brian White adding the other goals for the Whitecaps.
The defeat marked a miserable end to the season for Portland’s former England international Phil Neville, who could only watch as his team were torn apart before their home fans.
Vancouver finished the regular season on a dismal run of form, taking only two points from their final seven fixtures to slide into the wild card positions.
However the Whitecaps looked like a team transformed with a vibrant display that snuffed out Portland’s hopes of mounting a playoff run.
The 28-year-old Gauld was at the heart of Vancouver’s rampant performance, bundling in his first from close range on 20 minutes after a goalmouth scramble.
White made it 2-0 four minutes later, coolly tucking away a clever low cross from Uruguayan Mathias Laborda.
Gauld then scored the goal of the game to make it 3-0 in the 31st minute, controlling on his chest before flighting a delicate lob over Portland goalkeeper James Pantemis.
The rout continued after half-time, with Armstrong making it 4-0 with a diving header before Gauld completed his hat-trick in the 59th minute.
Vancouver now face Western Conference winners LAFC in a best-of-three first-round playoff series with the opening game taking place on Sunday.
