Are the Vancouver Whitecaps back? Truth be told, they were never really gone. 

Sure, the Whitecaps had been struggling since MLS resumed following an extended break for this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Going into this past weekend, Vancouver had just two wins across all competitions since July and was bounced from the Leagues Cup after three consecutive losses to Mexican clubs. 

And yes, the Whitecaps dropped down into second place in the Western Conference with a disappointing home loss to the Houston Dynamo last week. 

But you can’t keep a good team down and the Whitecaps reminded everybody across MLS that they are still a preeminent force in the league thanks to a comprehensive 5-0 home win over FC Dallas on Saturday before an announced crowd of 25,398 at BC Place. 

The win lifted Vancouver (12-4-4) back into its rightful spot as the first-place team in the West (and second place in the MLS standings), with American forward Brian White scoring a brace and Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka earning his ninth clean sheet of the campaign (second best in the league) behind a defence that gave very little away to Dallas. 

It’s been a rough summer for the Whitecaps, to be sure. The team’s long-term future in Vancouver remains up in the air as the club remains up for sale while also trying to secure an improved deal with BC Place to ensure it stays put.

U.S. international midfielder Sebastian Berhalter was sold to English club Middlesbrough in late July for a reported $2 million transfer fee. While the move may be better for Berhalter’s future, it means Vancouver can no longer rely on the services of player who was regarded as one of the best midfielders in MLS. 

Injuries have taken a toll, as well. White’s brace came after he........

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