The Vancouver 86ers defeat the Montreal Supra 4-2 in a Canadian Soccer League match played before about 3,000 fans at Claude Robillard Stadium. Vancouver, who reverted to their original team name the Whitecaps in 2000 and now play in Major League Soccer, jumped in front on an early goal by striker John Catliff in the ninth minute of play. Forward Domenic Mobilio, who ended his career as the ‘Caps all-time leading scorer with 170 goals, padded the lead when he connected for back-to-back goals midway through the first half.
Montreal forward Arthur Calixte replied with two late goals, which also happened to be the first ever for the new Montreal franchise, who had been held scoreless through their first two games after joining the fledgling new league created after the demise of the North American Soccer League in 1984.
The win marked the beginning of what became a 46-game undefeated streak with a total of 37 wins and nine ties. The team, coached by former Whitecaps star player Bob Lenarduzzi, didn't lose a game until Aug. 8, 1989 as part of a dominant era that included winning the CSL championship for four straight seasons (1988–1991).
The record remains the longest undefeated streak in North American professional sports history, beating the Canadian record set by the Montreal Canadiens (28), the overall record set by the Philadelphia Flyers (35), as well as the English football record set by Nottingham Forest (42).
