LOS ANGELES, CA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC captured a massive point in their push to the 2021 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs with a 1-1 road draw at Western Conference rivals Los Angeles FC on Tuesday night.
Whitecaps FC now get set to host Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place on Sunday. With a win or a draw, the ‘Caps would clinch their first Audi MLS Cup Playoffs berth since 2017.
The ‘Caps would get the first big chance of the game as Ryan Gauld sent Brian White in behind the LAFC backline to cross into the middle of the box for Cristian Dájome, who ducked his defender and side-footed home his 10th goal of the season to give the ‘Caps a massive advantage early on.
In the 22nd minute, both teams would exchange big chances, as ‘Caps goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau made a diving save to his left to deny a curling effort from LAFC midfielder Raheem Edwards.
At the other end of the pitch on the counterattack, White was able to hold off the pressure of LAFC’s backline and square the ball into the middle for Bruno Gaspar, who almost gave the ‘Caps a two-goal lead with his effort going just wide of the right post.
Right on the edge of halftime, LAFC would find their equalizer through Mamadou Fall, who was given the goal after video review after tapping home from close range.
The two sides would go into the break tied at 1-1.
Five minutes after the halftime interval, Crépeau once again came up with a huge save for the ‘Caps, denying LAFC striker Cristian Arango from close range to keep the scores level.
In the 71st minute, the ‘Caps almost found the go-ahead goal through Javain Brown’s headed effort, but LAFC goalkeeper Jamal Blackman parried away at his near post.
Both teams would have big chances to win the match late on, but the scoreline would stay the same at the final whistle.
The ‘Caps will now prepare for a Decision Day clash against Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC this upcoming Sunday, November 7 at BC Place. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on TSN1/4 and AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 2 p.m. PT. Tickets are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Maxime Crépeau
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Scoring Summary
14' – VAN – Cristian Dájome (Brian White, Ryan Gauld)
45'+2 – LAFC – Mamadou Fall
Statistics
Possession: LAFC 52.8% – VAN 47.2%
Shots: LAFC 25 – VAN 5
Shots on Goal: LAFC 11 – VAN 2
Saves: LAFC 1 – VAN 10
Fouls: LAFC 12 – VAN 7
Offsides: LAFC 1 – VAN 2
Corners: LAFC 6 – VAN 5
Cautions
80' – LAFC – Brian RodrÃguez
82' – VAN – Russell Teibert
Los Angeles FC
1.Jamal Blackman; 5.Mamadou Fall, 94.Jesús David Murillo, 25.Sebastien Ibeagha (10.Carlos Vela 72'); 33.Kim Moon-hwan, 7.Latif Blessing, 12.Diego Palacios, 32.Marco Farfan (11.José Cifuentes HT); 44.Raheem Edwards; 29.Cristian Arango, 17.Brian RodrÃguez (16.Danny Musovski 90')
Substitutes not used
30.Tomas Romero; 2.Jordan Harvey, 15.Daniel Crisostomo, 19.Bryce Duke, 27.Tristan Blackmon, 45.Michee Ngalina
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 22.Érik Godoy (3.Cristian Gutiérrez 57'), 26.Florian Jungwirth, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 6.Bruno Gaspar (4.Ranko Veselinović 85'), 31.Russell Teibert ©, 17.Leonard Owusu (19.Janio Bikel 77'), 23.Javain Brown; 25.Ryan Gauld; 24.Brian White (9.Lucas Cavallini 85'), 11.Cristian Dájome (7.Déiber Caicedo 77')
Substitutes not used1.Thomas Hasal, 2.Marcus Godinho, 27.Ryan Raposo, 55.Michael Baldisimo
