SAN DIEGO, CA – Rookie Ryan Raposo scored a diving header as Vancouver Whitecaps FC drew 1-1 with Columbus Crew SC on Tuesday in their 2020 preseason opener.
The 20-year-old Canadian, who went fourth overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, connected brilliantly on a cross from Jake Nerwinski in the 51st minute to level the score after Pedro Santos gave Columbus the lead in the 40th minute.
The ‘Caps nearly went ahead just a minute later through Tosaint Ricketts, who got on the end of a cross from Russell Teibert at the top of the six-yard box but had his header blocked by a Crew SC defender. Ricketts, who was lively throughout the second half, was also denied from point blank range in the 64th minute after being released into space by newcomer Cristián Gutiérrez.
Whitecaps FC head coach Marc Dos Santos started a 4-3-3 formation featuring a front three of wingers Yordy Reyna and Theo Bair and centre forward Lucas Cavallini, who saw his first minutes in ‘Caps colours.
Cavallini’s best chance of the match came in the 37th minute, when he powered a cross from Bair wide after a fine build-up down the right wing.
Dos Santos made a total of seven changes at the break and three more in the second half. The lone player to go 90 minutes was trialist and Canadian international centre back Amer Didic. A total of 14 Canadians saw playing time for the ‘Caps, including 10 to start the second half.
Cristian Dajome, Érik Godoy, and David Milinkovic, who recently joined the team, as well as Jasser Khmiri and Fredy Montero (hamstring strain – day-to-day) did not appear in the match.
MATCH DETAILS
Scoring Summary
40’ – CLB – Pedro Santos
51’ – VAN – Ryan Raposo (Jake Nerwinski, Tosaint Ricketts)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
First half XI
16.Maxime Crépeau; 39.Cole Dasilva, 25.Amer Đidić, 13.Derek Cornelius, 53.Ali Adnan; 6.Inbeom Hwang, 15.Andy Rose, 31.Russell Teibert; 14.Theo Bair, 9.Lucas Cavallini, 29.Yordy Reyna
Second half XI
51.Thomas Hasal; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 25.Amer Đidić, 13.Derek Cornelius (34.Gianfranco Facchineri 58’), 3.Cristián Gutiérrez; 32.Patrick Metcalfe, 35.Aboubacar Sissoko, 31.Russell Teibert (33.Rodrigo da Costa* 58’); 14.Theo Bair (56.George Mukumbilwa 58’), 87.Tosaint Ricketts, 27.Ryan Raposo
* Camp invitee
