- With 18 points on the road (5W-4L-3D), Whitecaps FC equaled their 2023 away total (18 points, 4W-7L-6D)
- Brian White has scored in three straight MLS matches, with five goals in those three appearances. He has also now reached double-digit MLS goals in three of his four seasons with Whitecaps FC
MONTREAL, QC – Playing in their third different time zone in the past week, Vancouver Whitecaps FC put forth a team-wide effort to claim another important point on the road in a 1-1 draw against Canadian rivals CF Montreal at Stade Saputo on Saturday.
The match began with plenty of energy from the ‘Caps. Fafa Picault nearly opened the scoring in the 20th minute, driving down the left side and chipping Jonathan Sirois from an acute angle, only to be denied by the crossbar and out.
Picault almost turned provider just a few minutes later, curling a cross right to the back post, where Sebastian Berhalter was just a fraction behind the play. But just shy of the half-hour mark, Whitecaps FC would get their opener. Ryan Gauld fizzed a driven cross from the left and Brian White flicked it goalwards with the outside of his boot to give his side the 1-0 lead.
Just before the end of the half, White almost got his second of the match as Gauld found the American alone in the middle. White looked poised to score but just missed before Sebastian Berhalter fired a shot that deflected wide for a corner.
The second half began with Montreal knocking on Whitecaps FC’s door. Lassi Lappalainen bore down the right side and lashed an effort on goal, beating Yohei Takaoka but hitting the inside of the post and out for the 'Caps to clear.
Whitecaps FC were inches away from increasing their lead in the 56th minute, with a glorious chance for Alessandro Schöpf. A great play by Picault found Gauld on the left side of the box, who then laid it off for Schöpf to redirect on goal. The ball looked destined for the net but it was denied by a heroic goal-line clearance from Fernando Álvarez to keep his side within touching distance.
In the end, Montreal would get the equalizer with 10 minutes to go, as Ruan raced down the line and floated a cross in for Matias Cóccaro to head it home past Takaoka.
Both Montreal and Whitecaps FC would battle to try to earn the three points in the closing stages, including a Josef Martinez chance that came close at the death. However, both sides would have to settle for the share of the spoils as the match ended in a stalemate.
Whitecaps FC are back in action this coming Wednesday, July 10 as they play the first leg of the TELUS Canadian Championship semifinals against Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium in Langford, BC. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, live on OneSoccer, FuboTV, and TELUS channel 980. Fans can also listen live at cknw.com and whitecapsfc.com.
Following that match, the 'Caps head back across the border in MLS action at St. Louis CITY SC next Saturday, July 13 at CITY Park. Kickoff will be at 5:30 p.m. PT, live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, and available to listen to at cknw.com and whitecapsfc.com.
The next home match for the 'Caps comes on Wednesday, July 17 versus Sporting Kansas City during the club's '80s Match. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Sebastian Berhalter
Attendance: 19,619
Referee: Guido Gonzales, Jr.
Scoring Summary
29’ – VAN – Brian White
79’ – MTL – Matias Cóccaro (Ruan)
Statistics
Possession: MTL 57.7% - VAN 42.3%
Shots: MTL 16 - VAN 14
Shots on Goal: MTL 3 - VAN 5
Saves: MTL 3 - VAN 2
Fouls: MTL 6 - VAN 5
Offsides: MTL 1 - VAN 0
Corners: MTL 3 - VAN 7
Cautions
22’ – MTL – Raheem Edwards
89’ – VAN – Ryan Raposo
CF Montreal
40.Jonathan Sirois; 24.George Campbell (28.Jules Vilsaint 76’), 4.Fernando Álvarez, 3.Joaquín Sosa; 21.Lassi Lappalainen (22.Ruan 66’), 19.Nathan Saliba, 2.Victor Wanyama (10.Bryce Duke 61’), 44.Raheem Edwards; 8.Dominik Iankov (14.Sunusi Ibrahim 46’), 11.Ariel Lassiter (9.Matias Cóccaro 62’); 17.Josef Martínez
Substitutes not used
1.Sebastian Breza, 5.Ilias Illiadis; 7.Kwadwo Opoku, 25.Gabriele Corbo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 23.Javain Brown (27.Giuseppe Bovalina 70’), 4.Ranko Veselinović, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik; 7.Ryan Raposo, 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 20.Andrés Cubas, 8.Alessandro Schöpf (13.Ralph Priso 80’); 25.Ryan Gauld © (2.Mathías Laborda 64’), 24.Brian White (52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau 80’), 11.Fafa Picault (28.Levonte Johnson 80’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 12.Belal Halbouni, 14.Luís Martins, 19.Damir Kreilach
