VANCOUVER, BC – Once again, the 'Caps stormed back for a huge second half comeback, extending their win streak to tie the club record in MLS to four matches, and their unbeaten run in MLS to 10 matches.
With Maxime Crépeau, Javain Brown, and Lucas Cavallini all away on international duty, and a number of injuries on the back line, acting head coach Vanni Sartini made three changes to the starting lineup.
Thomas Hasal stepped into the net, Érik Godoy came in at centre back after missing five matches, and with Janio Bikel moving to right back, Michael Baldisimo came into midfield.
A cagey first half ended with Austin FC taking the lead just before the break. Cecilio Domínguez spun around in the box and lobbed a cross to Sebastián Driussi who headed it into the back of the net.
Sartini wasted no time making a switch at halftime, bringing on Déiber Caicedo for Bruno Gaspar, moving Bikel to left back and Cristian Dájome to right wingback.
The 'Caps were on the front foot in the second half, with a save from Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver just tipping a Ryan Gauld cross off the crossbar in the 59th minute.
The following corner kick found Florian Jungwirth, but his header went over the frame.
In the 63rd minute Brian White ended up on a breakaway but saw his shot stopped, with a rebound shot from Gauld also saved by Stuver.
The 'Caps finally equalized in the 70th minute. A terrific cross from Cristian Dájome was headed in by Érik Godoy to make it 1-1.
Minutes later Thomas Hasal came up huge, making a point blank save on a header in the box to keep the score level.
In a sign of things to come, Caicedo had a great opportunity to give the 'Caps the lead in the 78th minute, lobbing Stuver before it was just cleared off the line by Julio Cascante.
Finally, in the 83rd minute, Caicedo found a winner, putting home a rebound on a shot from Gauld for a 2-1 victory.
Next up for the 'Caps is a home match against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers this coming Friday, September 10. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT and tickets are available at ticketmaster.ca/whitecaps.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Érik Godoy
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Scoring Summary
45' – ATX – Sebastián Driussi (Cecilio Domínguez, Tomás Pochettino)
70' – VAN – Érik Godoy (Cristian Dájome)
83' – VAN – Déiber Caicedo
Statistics
Possession: VAN 50.6% – ATX 49.4%
Shots: VAN 16 – ATX 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 9 – ATX 5
Saves: VAN 4 – ATX 6
Fouls: VAN 7 – ATX 9
Offsides: VAN 3 – ATX 4
Corners: VAN 5 – ATX 4
Caution
7' – ATX – Diego Fagúndez
79' – ATX – Freddy Kleemann
84' – VAN – Déiber Caicedo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC1.Thomas Hasal; 19.Janio Bikel (4.Ranko Veselinović 74'), 22.Érik Godoy, 26.Florian Jungwirth, 6.Bruno Gaspar (7.Déiber Caicedo HT); 17.Leonard Owusu ((32.Patrick Metcalfe 61'), 55.Michael Baldisimo, 31.Russell Teibert ©; 11.Cristian Dájome, 25.Ryan Gauld (27.Ryan Raposo 90'+2); 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 90')
Substitutes not used
12.Even Newton, 2.Marcus Godinho, 15.Andy Rose, 30.Kamron Habibullah
Austin FC
41.Brad Stuver; 16.Hector Jiménez (11.Rodney Redes 87'), 18.Julio Cascante, 5.Matt Besler (19.Freddy Kleemann 71'), 24.Nick Lima; 7.Tomás Pochettino (23.Kekuta Manneh 87'), 8.Alex Ring, 14.Diego Fagúndez; 10.Cecilio Domínguez, 17.Jon Gallagher (3.Jhohan Romaña 59'), 25.Sebastián Driussi
Substitutes not used
31.Andrew Tarbell, 6.Sebastian Berhalter, 20.Jared Stroud, 21.Žan Kolmanič, 99.Moussa Djitté
