Jesper Sorensen is confident that Ryan Gauld's return from injury will only further improve the Vancouver Whitecaps' chances of finishing top of the Western Conference.

Gauld returned from a long-term knee issue in Vancouver's 4-3 defeat to FC Cincinnati in midweek, making his first start in MLS in 501 days.

The 30-year-old also finished with team-high totals for shots (four) and touches in the opposition box (six), but it was not enough to seal all three points at TQL Stadium.

Now in his sixth season with Vancouver, Gauld tallied at least 17 goal contributions in three straight years until suffering his first long-term knee injury early last year.

He was able to return for the Whitecaps' playoff campaign but then sustained another issue that caused him to miss the start of 2026.

And, following the resumption of MLS play after the World Cup break, Sorensen is thrilled to have him back in the fold.

"I think in general we did not have problems creating chances when we played with patience and the pace in the ball, and we had the good build-up phases," Sorensen said.

"Ryan, of course, we will not take anything away. He played brilliantly, scored a couple of goals, and it was amazing to have him back.

"And obviously, it was great for everybody that he also got on the scoresheet, and we are all happy for him in that regard. It's definitely positive."

Gauld will be hoping to make a similar impact this weekend at Allianz Field, with Minnesota United the next opponents for Vancouver.

Minnesota returned to MLS action following the World Cup break with a 2-1 defeat to West strugglers Sporting Kansas City, and they are now five league games without a win.

That stretch of results has seen them drop to ninth in the standings, though head coach Cameron Knowles believed his side deserved more at Sporting Park.

Minnesota's defeat to Sporting KC was their first against them since October 2023 in the MLS, though Knowles insists his players are ready to bounce back.

"Look, I think anytime you lose a game where you feel like you have a chance to win, it's really difficult," Knowles said. "This was a good way for us to reset.

"We knew we were coming on the road and knew it would not be easy, but we knew it would certainly be a good matchup, and we would go there and compete for a result.

"It's not just one team or one thread of history that runs through it, it's about starting back up, starting back up and really attacking this last stretch of games."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United – Devin Padelford

Padelford scored Minnesota's only goal on a header in the 75th minute of Wednesday’s loss, notching for just the second time of his professional career.  

The only other time he has found the back of the net in the MLS also came with a header, as the Loons’ lone goal in a defeat to Austin FC back in July 2023.

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld's brace against Cincinnati was his sixth multi-goal MLS match but his first in over two years, since doing so against the New England Revolution in June 2024.

His two goals took him to 80 career MLS goal contributions (36 goals, 44 assists), second in Whitecaps history behind only Brian White (88).

MATCH PREDICTION: VANCOUVER WHITECAPS WIN

Vancouver have won four of their last six matches against Minnesota (D1 L1), including a pair of 3-1 wins in Minnesota.

The Whitecaps have scored 15 goals in their four wins against the Loons over the last six meetings, while failing to score in the other two matches.

The Whitecaps have, however, won only two of their last six regular-season matches (D2 L2) after winning eight of their first nine to start the season (L1). All those games have been on the road as this trip to Minnesota will be their seventh straight away match in league play.

Minnesota, meanwhile, will be hoping to improve in the final third. They tallied 10 shots on target in their road loss to Sporting KC. Prior to the loss, the Loons had won all seven MLS matches in which they had at least 10 shots on target.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United – 26.6%

Draw – 23.7%

Vancouver Whitecaps – 49.7%