LOS ANGELES, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up a stretch of three of their first four matches on the road to start the season with a 3-1 defeat to Los Angeles FC at Banc of California Stadium on Sunday.
Vanni Sartini made four changes from the starting lineup the previous weekend in Houston. Jake Nerwinksi, Marcus Godinho, Javain Brown, and Sebastian Berhalter came in for Florian Jungwirth, Cristián Gutiérrez, Leonard Owusu, and Ryan Gauld. Berhalter made his first start for the 'Caps, while Godinho earned his first start of the season.
Tristan Blackmon opened the scoring for the 'Caps in the 12th minute. Berhalter whipped in a terrific free kick, which Lucas Cavallini headed off the post before the former LAFC man slid to put home the rebound.
On 16 minutes Thomas Hasal came up with an outstanding save, diving to his right to deny a header from José Cifuentes. Moments later the 'Caps countered quickly on a breakaway, but Cristian Dájome was unable to find Cavallini open in the box and had his shot stopped by Maxime Crépeau.
LAFC tied the match on 27 minutes as Ryan Hollingshead headed in a corner kick to level the match at 1-1.
The home side then took the lead in the 38th minute when Carlos Vela found the ball near the right side of the end line and put in his own rebound to make it 2-1.
Hollingshead then scored his second in the 70th minute to give LAFC a 3-1 lead which they would not relinquish.
The 'Caps will now have a break during the FIFA International Window before returning to action at home for a pair of matches at BC Place. The first comes against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, April 2, and then the 100th all-time meeting versus Portland Timber on Saturday, April 9. For ticket information visit whitecapsfc.com.tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Pedro Vite
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr.
Attendance: 22,065
Scoring Summary
12' – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
27' – LAFC – Ryan Hollingshead (Carlos Vela)
38' – LAFC – Carlos Vela
70' – LAFC – Ryan Hollingshead
Statistics
Possession: LAFC 61.5% – VAN 38.5%
Shots: LAFC 18 – VAN 7
Shots on Goal: LAFC 9 – VAN 2
Saves: LAFC 1 – VAN 6
Fouls: LAFC 15 – VAN 12
Offsides: LAFC 3 – VAN 0
Corners: LAFC 11 – VAN 3
Cautions
20' – VAN – Ranko Veselinović
33' – LAFC – Carlos Vela
55' – VAN – Russell Teibert
61' – LAFC – Mamadou Fall
90' – LAFC – Ilie Sánchez
Los Angeles FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 23.Kellyn Acosta, 3.Jesús David Murillo, 5.Mamadou Fall (44.Doneil Henry 81'), 24.Ryan Hollingshead; 47.Latif Blessing, 6.Ilie Sánchez, 11.José Cifuentes (8.Francisco Ginella 87'); 22.Kwadwo Opoku, 10.Carlos Vela (9.Cristian Arango 81'), 17.Brian Rodríguez (19.Ismael Tajouri, Shradi 74')
Substitutes not used
77.John McCarthy, 12.Diego Palacios, 25.Sebastien Ibeagha
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 6.Tristan Blackmon, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski (27.Ryan Raposo 74'); 2.Marcus Godinho (3.Cristián Gutiérrez 61'), 31.Russell Teibert © (17.Leonard Owusu 79'), 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 23.Javain Brown; 11.Cristian Dájome (7.Déiber Caicedo 74'), 45. Pedro Vite; 9.Lucas Cavallini
Substitutes not used
55.Cody Cropper, 26.Florian Jungwirth, 33.Michael Baldisimo, 61.Matteo Campagna, 87.Tosaint Ricketts
