VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC boosted their 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs hopes on Sunday night with a crucial 2-1 win against Western Conference opponents Sporting Kansas City at BC Place.
With both sides alternating possession in the early stages of the match, the ‘Caps would get the first big chance of the match and took full advantage.
Javain Brown whipped in a dangerous, first-time cross to the back post for Brian White, who headed the ball across the box to Ryan Gauld to volley home his third goal of the season, giving the ‘Caps the early 1-0 lead.
Fast-forward 13 minutes later, the Blue and White would double their advantage as Russell Teibert fired from distance off the post and in, scoring his first MLS goal since October 6, 2018.
Sporting KC would cut the deficit in half just before the break, with Johnny Russell curling a left-footed effort past Maxime Crepeau to end the Canadian international’s personal MLS shutout streak at 375 minutes.
The ‘Caps would defend valiantly in the second half and hold on for the 2-1 win, which sees them move up to eighth place in the Western Conference and a single point outside the playoff places.
The Blue and White will now shift gears towards the first of two consecutive away matches. The first comes against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers this Wednesday, October 20 at Providence Park in Portland, Oregon. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on TSN1 and AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 6 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Russell Teibert
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Scoring Summary
23' – VAN – Ryan Gauld (Brian White, Javain Brown)
36' – VAN – Russell Teibert (Brian White)
43' – SKC – Johnny Russell (Dániel Sallói)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 36% – SKC 64%
Shots: VAN 9 – SKC 9
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – SKC 3
Saves: VAN 2 – SKC 1
Fouls: VAN13 – SKC 16
Offsides: VAN 0 – SKC 0
Corners: VAN 3 – SKC 7
Cautions
45'+1 – SKC – Ilie Sánchez
51' – VAN – Brian White
70' – SKC – Rémi Walter
70' – SKC – Gadi Kinda
85' – VAN – Jake Nerwinski
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 22.Érik Godoy, 4.Ranko Veselinović (28.Jake Nerwinski 80'), 26.Florian Jungwirth; 6.Bruno Gaspar (2.Marcus Godinho 62'), 31.Russell Teibert ©, 17.Leonard Owusu (19.Janio Bikel HT), 23.Javain Brown; 25.Ryan Gauld; 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 73'), 11.Cristian Dájome (7.Déiber Caicedo 73')
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 3.Cristian Gutiérrez, 9.Lucas Cavallini, 55.Michael Baldisimo
Sporting Kansas City
29.Tim Melia, 8.Graham Zusi, 6.Ilie Sánchez, 3.Andreu Fontàs, 36.Luís Martins; 54.Rémi Walter, 32.José Mauri (15.Roger Espinoza HT), 17.Gadi Kinda; 7.Johnny Russell ©, 11.Khiry Shelton, 20.Dániel Sallói
Substitutes not used
1.John Pulskamp, 4.Roberto Punčec, 13.Amadou Dia, 19.Grayson Barber, 28.Cameron Duke, 46.Jake Davis, 48.Kaveh Rad, 96.Wilson Harris
