VANCOUVER, BC – Playing their fourth of five matches in 17 days, Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed a massive 2-1 victory in the Western Conference playoff race against Minnesota United FC at BC Place on Wednesday night to vault themselves up to fifth place.
The first half saw both teams deadlocked in a tight possession battle; however, the ‘Caps would go into the break with the 1-0 lead, as Brian White got in behind the Minnesota backline and fired a shot at goal. Loons goalkeeper Tyler Miller denied the ‘Caps leading goalscorer but the rebound deflected off defender Michael Boxall and into the net for the own goal, giving the ‘Caps the halftime advantage.
In the 62nd minute, Minnesota would get a big chance to equalize, as forward Adrien Hunou’s curling shot around ‘Caps goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau hit off the post and out to preserve the 1-0 lead.
Two minutes later, the ‘Caps would double their advantage.
After some nice build-up in midfield, Cristian Dájome played the ball through for Ryan Gauld, who found Brian White in the box to put home his 12th goal of the season, giving the ‘Caps the 2-0 lead.
The visitors would grab a late goal through Fanendo Adi in stoppage time but the ‘Caps held on to capture three crucial points in the Western Conference playoff race.
The Blue and White will now get set for their final road match of the regular season against Los Angeles FC next Tuesday, November 2 at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on TSN1 and AM730, with the radio pre-game show starting at 6:30 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Scoring Summary
45' – VAN – Michael Boxall (own goal)
63' – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Gauld, Cristian Dájome)
90'+1' – MIN – Fanendo Adi
Statistics
Possession: VAN 42.1% – MIN 57.9%
Shots: VAN 9 – MIN 20
Shots on Goal: VAN 2 – MIN 5
Saves: VAN 4 – MIN 1
Fouls: VAN 10 – MIN 11
Offsides: VAN 6 – MIN 0
Corners: VAN 4 – MIN 7
Cautions
38' – VAN – Florian Jungwirth
82' – VAN – Javain Brown
84' – MIN – Hassani Dotson
90' – MIN – Emanuel Reynoso
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 26.Florian Jungwirth, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 6.Bruno Gaspar (3.Cristian Gutiérrez 76'), 31.Russell Teibert ©, 17.Leonard Owusu (19.Janio Bikel 76'), 23.Javain Brown (22.Érik Godoy 86'); 25.Ryan Gauld; 24.Brian White (9.Lucas Cavallini 86'), 11.Cristian Dájome (7.Déiber Caicedo 67')
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 2.Marcus Godinho, 27.Ryan Raposo, 55.Michael Baldisimo
Minnesota United FC
1.Tyler Miller; 19.Romain Métanire, 15.Michael Boxall, 12.Bakaye Dibassy, 31.Hassani Dotson; 20.Wil Trapp (8.Ján Greguš 72'), 6.Osvaldo Alonso © (18.Joseph Rosales 72'); 17.Robin Lod (13.Ethan Finlay 77'), 10.Emanuel Reynoso, 7.Franco Fragapane; 23.Adrien Hunou (9.Fanendo Adi 72')
Substitutes not used
97.Dayne St. Clair, 5.Jacori Hayes, 11.Niko Hansen, 14.Brent Kallman, 22.Jukka Raitala
