VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC earned another massive result in their push for the playoffs with a thrilling a 2-1 victory over Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC on Saturday night at BC Place. The result brings the Blue & White to within three points of the playoff line.
The 'Caps put in a phenomenal performance in the first half. The home side opened the scoring with attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld slicing into the box, and hitting a terrific pass into the box for Pedro Vite, who’s strike would open the scoring in the 29th minute.
Less than 10 minutes later, it was 2-0 for the 'Caps. Following a long throw-in, the ball fell to Julian Gressel. The mid-season signing then thumped home a long range volley to double his squad’s lead in the 37th minute of the match.
Seattle would not go quietly, but it was the 'Caps who again had the better of the chances in the second half.
In the 61st minute, a ball in the box was poked by Brian White and appeared as if it may have crossed the line, but Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei sprawled to stop it, and the call remained as no goal.
As the second half progressed, substitute Leo Owusu saw his strong strike from distance hit the post in the 70th minute of the match.
In the late stages, Fredy Montero crossed in a ball to Will Bruin, who’s header would cut the lead in half in the 89th minute.
But the 'Caps held strong and kept out their rivals for a 2-1 win.
The Blue & White conclude their three-game home stretch on Saturday, October 1, when they host Western Conference side Austin FC at BC Place on Fan Appreciation Night. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Julian Gressel*
Attendance:* 19,722*
Referee:* Ramy Touchan
Scoring Summary
29’ – VAN – Pedro Vite (Ryan Gauld, LuÃs Martins)
37’ – VAN – Julian Gressel
89’ – SEA – Will Bruin (Fredy Montero, Albert Rusnák)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 33.9% – SEA 66.1%
Shots: VAN 11 – SEA 15
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – SEA 4
Saves: VAN 2 – SEA 3
Fouls: VAN 11 – SEA 11
Offsides: VAN 2 – SEA 3
Corners: VAN 4 – SEA 9
Cautions
25’ – SEA – Alex Roldan
81’ – SEA – Nicolás Lodeiro
82’ – VAN – Julian Gressel
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 14.LuÃs Martins (2.Marcus Godinho 75’); 31.Russell Teibert ©, 20.Andrés Cubas (17.Leonard Owusu 33’); 19.Julian Gressel, 25.Ryan Gauld (18.Alessandro Schöpf 75’); 45.Pedro Vite (11.Cristian Dájome 84’), 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 84’)
Substitutes not used
55.Cody Cropper, 23.Javain Brown, 26.Florian Jungwirth, 27.Ryan Raposo
Seattle Sounders FC
24.Stefan Frei; 16.Alex Roldan (94.Jimmy Medranda 73’), 28.Yeimar, 3.Xavier Arreaga, 5.Nouhou (22.Kelyn Rowe 73’); 75.Daniel Leyva (12.Fredy Montero HT), 84.Joshua Atencio (17.Will Bruin 72’); 13.Jordan Morris (23.Léo Chú 81’), 10.Nicolás Lodeiro ©, 11.Albert Rusnák; 9.Raúl RuidÃaz
Substitutes not used
30.Stefan Cleveland, 25.Jackson Ragen, 45.Ethan Dobbelaere, 99.Dylan Teves
