AUSTIN, TX – Vancouver Whitecaps FC recorded a 3-0 loss against Western Conference foes Austin FC at Q2 Stadium on Saturday.
The 'Caps pressed early, and in the sixth minute Ryan Raposo crossed in a ball from the left side to forward Brian White, who saw his header saved by goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
Moments later, the home side opened the scoring after a quick counter attack that was organized by Sebastián Driussi, who passed a through ball to forward Maxi Urruti. The striker then saw his right footed shot beat Thomas Hasal in the 11th minute.
Austin FC continued their pressure, as Urruti picked up his brace in the 26th minute of the match to make it 2-0.
Late in the first half, a free kick from Michael Baldisimo ended up with Raposo heading the ball inside the box to forward Lucas Cavallini, who’s strike just flew wide of the near post in the 41st minute.
Head coach Vanni Sartini made three subs at halftime, with Javain Brown, Sebastian Berhalter, and Cristian Dájome replacing Marcus Godinho, Michael Baldisimo, and Pedro Vite. The changes proved to give his side a promising spark, as Dájome broke in on goal early and struck a shot just off target in the 46th minute.
However, the home side widened their lead in the 68th minute, after Julio Cascante headed a ball to Driussi inside the box, who’s subsequent header made it 3-0.
The ‘Caps now return home for four straight matches at BC Place, including the Canadian Championship, starting on Sunday, May 8 as they take on Canadian rivals Toronto FC in MLS action. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
FROM MLS NEXT PRO TO MLS DEBUTIn the 57th minute, wingback Ali Ahmed came on to make his MLS debut. The 21-year-old was one of two players signed to MLS Short Term Agreements from the club's MLS NEXT Pro side, Whitecaps FC 2, along with midfielder Vasco Fry. Ahmed is the second player from WFC2 to make his MLS debut this season, along with forward Emiliano Brienza, who came on in the season opener at Columbus Crew.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Raposo
Attendance: 20,738
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Scoring Summary11’ – ATX – Maximiliano Urruti (Sebastián Driussi)
26’ – ATX – Maximiliano Urruti (Alexander Ring, Daniel Pereira)
68’ – ATX – Sebastián Driussi (Julio Cascante, Nick Lima)
StatisticsPossession: ATX 67.4% – VAN 32.6%
Shots: ATX 10 – VAN 12
Shots on Goal: ATX 4 – VAN 1
Saves: ATX 1 – VAN 1
Fouls: ATX 17 – VAN 16
Offsides: ATX 0 – VAN 1
Corners: ATX 2 – VAN 4
Cautions
25’ – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
35’ – ATX – Alexander Ring
45’+1 – ATX – Ruben Gabrielsen
75’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini
90’ – ATX – Daniel Pereira
90’+3 – VAN – Brian White
Austin FC
1.Brad Stuver; 24.Nick Lima (16.Hector Jimenez 70’), 4.Ruben Gabrielsen, 18.Julio Cascante, 17.Jon Gallagher (23.Zan Kolmanic 70’); 13.Ethan Finlay (11.Rodney Redes 83’), 6.Daniel Pereira; 14.Diego Fagúndez (33.Owen Wolff 79’), 7.Sebastián Drussi (22.Felipe Martins 84’), 8.Alex Ring ©; 37.Maxi Urruti
Substitutes not used
31.Andrew Tarbell, 5.Jhojan Valencia, 9.Danny Hoesen,15.Kipp Keller
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 6.Tristan Blackmon, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 2.Marcus Godinho (23.Javain Brown HT), 45.Pedro Vite (11.Cristian Dájome HT), 33.Michael Baldisimo (16.Sebastian Berhalter HT), 31.Russell Teibert ©, 27.Ryan Raposo (51.Ali Ahmed 57’); 9.Lucas Cavallini (87.Tosaint Ricketts 79’), 24.Brian White
Substitutes not used
55.Cody Cropper, 22.Érik Godoy, 26.Florian Jungwirth, 52.Vasco Fry
