VANCOUVER, BC – Lucas Cavallini, Michael Baldisimo, and Jake Nerwinski provided the goals on Saturday evening as Vancouver Whitecaps FC made their triumphant return to BC Place after 189 days with a 3-2 victory over Toronto FC.
Cavallini and Baldisimo each opened their MLS account, with the latter also adding his first MLS assist in only his second appearance, while Nerwinski netted the game-winner in the back-and-forth all-Canadian affair.
The strong all-around effort gave the ‘Caps their third win of the 2020 MLS regular season, as they kicked off a three-match closed-door homestand on a high note.
Cavallini was the beneficiary of some pinpoint passing from the ‘Caps in the 17th minute. 20-year old Homegrown product Baldisimo curved one to Ali Adnan along the left side, who then served up a cross right on the path of an attacking Cavallini. The header was a perfect welcome for the ‘Caps as they went ahead 1-0 in their first match in Vancouver since their February 29 home opener.
Baldisimo, who nearly scored on a direct free kick in his MLS debut in the last ‘Caps match, calculated from long distance once again, this time finishing off a rebound that ricocheted right at him in the 57th minute.
The visitors had an answer after each of the 'Caps two goals – first from Jonathan Osorio, then the second from Alejandro Pozuelo.
However, Whitecaps FC had the last say as three ‘Caps defenders combined on the game-winner. Adnan teed up the free kick, which Andy Rose redirected from the byline onto the centre, where Nerwinski slid in for the 76th-minute goal for the final 3-2 score.
Up next for the ‘Caps is a pair of matches against Montreal Impact at BC Place beginning on Sunday, September 13. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. PT live on TSN1 and TSN Radio 1040.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: Érik Godoy played 45 minutes in his season debut following a lengthy rehab due to injuries with his left calf and then right quad… The ‘Caps fielded six Canadian starters for the third consecutive match.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Silviu Petrescu
Scoring Summary
17’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini (Ali Adnan, Michael Baldisimo)
25’ – TOR – Jonathan Osorio (Alejandro Pozuelo, Auro)
57’ – VAN – Michael Baldisimo
71’ – TOR – Alejandro Pozuelo (Pablo Piatti)
76’ – VAN – Jake Nerwinski (Andy Rose, Ali Adnan)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 34.4% – TOR 65.6%
Shots: VAN 7 – TOR 22
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – TOR 9
Saves: VAN 7 – TOR 0
Fouls: VAN 11 – TOR 17
Offsides: VAN 1 – TOR 2
Corners: VAN 2 – TOR 8
Cautions
44’ – VAN – Ali Adnan
76’ – TOR – Laurent Ciman
78’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini
82’ – VAN – Michael Baldisimo
86’ – TOR – Auro
90’+7’ – VAN – Ryan Raposo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
51.Thomas Hasal; 22.Érik Godoy (28.Jake Nerwinski HT), 15.Andy Rose, 13.Derek Cornelius, 53.Ali Adnan; 17.Leonard Owusu, 55.Michael Baldisimo (4.Ranko Veselinović 90’+1’), 31.Russell Teibert ©; 7.David Milinković (27.Ryan Raposo 70’); 14.Theo Bair (87.Tosaint Ricketts 74’), 9.Lucas Cavallini (11.Cristian Dájome 90’)
Substitutes not used
60.Isaac Boehmer, 3.Cristián Gutiérrez, 12.Fredy Montero, 32.Patrick Metcalfe
Toronto FC
16.Quentin Westberg; 96.Auro, 44.Omar González, 26.Laurent Ciman (23.Chris Mavinga 81’), 2.Justin Morrow (31.Tsubasa Endoh 81’); 7.Pablo Piatti, 27.Liam Fraser (17.Jozy Altidore 63’), 8.Marco Delgado, 21.Jonathan Osorio ©; 10.Alejandro Pozuelo; 20.Ayo Akinola (18.Nick DeLeon 70’)
Substitutes not used
25.Alex Bono, 3.Eriq Zavaleta, 9.Erickson Gallardo, 19.Griffin Dorsey, 24.Jacob Shaffelburg
