CHARLOTTE, NC – In their first of three consecutive matches on the road, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3W-7L-2D) fell short against expansion side Charlotte FC (5W-7L-1D) by a score of 2-1 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
The ‘Caps would open the scoring in just the second minute of play, as Cristian Dájome won the ball at the top of the Charlotte box and played in Tosaint Ricketts to score his second goal of the season in his first ‘Caps start since October 27, 2020.
Charlotte would respond six minutes later through forward Andre Shinyashiki, who headed in the equalizer for the home side.
The ‘Caps would continue their fine start and almost retook the lead in the 15th minute. Ranko Veselinović lifted a ball over the top of the Charlotte defence and found Ryan Gauld, who directed his effort on goal but couldn’t beat Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
After exchanging possession in the latter stages of the first half, both sides would go into the break level at 1-1.
Fast forward to the 66th minute, Gauld whipped a curling ball into the box for Veselinovic to have an attempt at goal but his header went just wide of Kahlina’s goal.
A couple minutes later, ‘Caps goalkeeper Max Anchor, who was making his professional debut after signing a short-term MLS agreement on Saturday, made a save to his right to deny Charlotte substitute Kerwin Vargas from giving the home side the lead.
Charlotte would find the go-ahead goal in the 85th minute, as substitute Daniel Rios pounced on a loose ball in the ‘Caps penalty area.
The Blue and White would continue pushing on for the equalizer, with Russell Teibert unleashing a late blast from the top of the box but Kahlina was able to preserve the lead for Charlotte to give them the 2-1 win.
Next up for the 'Caps is a Canadian Championship quarterfinal against Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC this Wednesday, May 25 at ATCO Field in Foothills County, Alberta, with kick-off set for 6 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on OneSoccer.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Tosaint Ricketts
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Scoring Summary
2’ – VAN – Tosaint Ricketts (Cristian Dájome)
8’ – CLT – Andre Shinyashiki (Karol Swiderski)
85’ – CLT – Daniel Rios (Cristian Ortiz)
Statistics
Possession: CLT 63.5% – VAN 36.5%
Shots: CLT 17 – VAN 11
Shots on Goal: CLT 5 – VAN 5
Saves: CLT 4 – VAN 3
Fouls: CLT 16 – VAN 3
Offsides: CLT 1 – VAN 1
Corners: CLT 8 – VAN 1
Caution
62’ – CLT – Kamil Jóźwiak
Charlotte FC
1.Kristijan Kahlina; 25.Harrison Afful, 4.Guzmán Corujo, 22.Christian Fuchs © (14.Christian Makoun 51’), 28.Joseph Mora; 8.Jordy AlcÃvar, 13.Brandt Bronico, 15.Ben Bender (10.Cristian Ortiz 64’); 7.Kamil Jóźwiak (18.Kerwin Vargas 65’), 11.Karol Swiderski (12.Daniel Rios 82’), 16.Andre Shinyashiki (17.McKinze Gaines 65’)
Substitutes not used
31.George Marks, 20.Derrick Jones, 21.Alan Franco, 24.Jaylin Lindsey
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
50.Max Anchor; 23.Javain Brown (3.Cristián Gutiérrez 66’), 4.Ranko Veselinović, 26.Florian Jungwirth; 11.Cristian Dájome ©, 16.Sebastian Berhalter (33.Michael Baldisimo 88’), 17.Leonard Owusu (31.Russell Teibert HT), 2.Marcus Godinho (27.Ryan Raposo 70’); 25.Ryan Gauld, 7.Déiber Caicedo; 87.Tosaint Ricketts
Substitutes not used
32.Nikolaos Giantsopoulos, 14.LuÃs Martins, 61.Matteo Campagna
