'Caps wrap up road trip with another point

• Whitecaps FC finish seven straight road matches with a record of 3W-2L-2D
• After 41 days away, Whitecaps FC will return to BC Place on Saturday to play D.C. United in front of what is expected to be one of the largest crowds of the season
• With the draw, Whitecaps FC move up to sixth place, one point back of fourth place and three points back of second place
• The magic number for Whitecaps FC to clinch a spot in the postseason - the combination of points gained and points dropped by other teams - is now seven
• After facing D.C. United on Saturday, Whitecaps FC will end the season against three teams in front of them in the Western Conference, including the two teams they are within three points of reaching for second place: October 4 vs. St. Louis, October 7 at Seattle, and October 21 vs. Los Angeles FC
• Whitecaps FC started four members of Canada's men's national team in Sam Adekugbe, Ali Ahmed, Junior Hoilett, and Richie Laryea
• Whitecaps FC have scored the second most goals in MLS inside the first 30 minutes (18), trailing only Columbus Crew (22)
• Brian White scored his 13th goal in MLS play, a new career high, and his 17th in all competitions. He is now only two goals back of the MLS golden boot lead
• White recorded his fifth assist of the MLS season, tying his 2021 total with Whitecaps FC
• In total, White recorded five goals and one assist during the seven game road stretch
• Mathías Laborda scored his first goal for Whitecaps FC
• Laryea recorded his second assist with Whitecaps FC, and fifth overall of the 2023 MLS season
• Sebastian Berhalter recorded his second assist of the season in MLS play, and fourth in all competitions

COMMERCE CITY, CO – Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up seven straight matches on the road with another crucial point in their playoff push, playing to a 2-2 draw against Colorado Rapids in Commerce City, Colorado on Wednesday.

Whitecaps FC would start off on the right foot, putting on a passing display in the opening 10 minutes. The positive play resulted in the opening goal in the 11th minute. Ryan Gauld whipped in a corner, meeting the head of Tristan Blackmon, causing some chaos before a Richie Laryea flick would allow Mathías Laborda to slide the ball into the back of the net.

Brian White would nearly get the second just moments after, off another dangerous cross. This time it was Sam Adekugbe who would find White, and his downwards header would be saved spectacularly by Rapids ‘keeper Marko Ilić.

The Rapids would slowly get back into the game, getting into some good areas. But the ‘Caps would hold firm and keep the Rapids at bay.

But the best chance, just before half, would fall to Richie Laryea. Ali Ahmed would slip a ball right across goal for Laryea to redirect it in, but the Canadian wingback would sky his effort. And that would be the last action of the half.

Come the start of the second half, the Rapids would find their equalizer. Calvin Harris, fresh off the bench, would square it for Diego Rubio from the right-hand side, making it easy for Rubio to tap it in.

The Rapids would eventually take the lead in the 67th minute, off a corner kick. Connor Ronan found Cole Bassett at the back post, nodding his effort past Takaoka for the Rapids’ second goal.

However, White would bring the score back to 2-2, once again from a set-piece. Substitute Sebastian Berhalter would place an out-swing cross perfectly for White, with the American finishing with a top class header redirected into the top corner.

It would then be a flurry of chances in the dying moments of the game, with Luis Díaz forcing Takaoka to make yet another huge save on a breakaway, before Ilić would deny Schöpf a late winner in the opposite box.

Despite the chances, there would be no way to settle the affair as the referee would blow his final whistle, giving both teams even honours.

Whitecaps FC are finally back at home for two straight matches, starting this Saturday, September 30 against D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. PT. The 'Caps then return to action on Wednesday, October 4 against St. Louis CITY SC. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Brian White
Attendance: 12,064
Referee: Elton García

Scoring Summary
11’ – VAN – Mathías Laborda (Richie Laryea, Brian White)
47’ – COL – Diego Rubio (Calvin Harris)
67’ – COL – Cole Basset (Connor Ronan)
78’ – VAN – Brian White (Sebastian Berhalter)

Statistics
Possession: COL 52% - VAN 48%
Shots: COL 13 - VAN 11
Shots on Goal: COL 8 - VAN 4
Saves: COL 2 - VAN 6
Fouls: COL 11 - VAN 13
Offsides: COL 0 - VAN 0
Corners: COL 7 - VAN 6

Cautions
62’ – COL – Keegan Rosenberry
87’ – COL - Moïse Bombito
Colorado Rapids
1.Marko Ilić; 2.Keegan Rosenberry, 5.Andreas Maxsø, 4.Danny Wilson, 64.Moïse Bombito; 23.Cole Basset, 20.Connor Ronan; 29. Braian Galván (12.Luis Díaz 45’), 91.Kevin Cabral (14.Calvin Harris 45’), 11.Diego Rubio (15.Danny Leyva 73’); 9.Rafael Navarro (7.Jonathan Lewis 88’)

Substitutes not used
26.Abraham Rodriguez, 6.Lalas Abubakar, 27.Sebastian Anderson, 28.Sam Nicholson, 97.Ralph Priso

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 2.Mathías Laborda, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 3.Sam Adekugbe (27.Ryan Raposo 72’); 7.Richie Laryea (8.Alessandro Schöpf 72’), 20. Andrés Cubas, 22.Ali Ahmed (16.Sebastian Berhalter 73’); 11.Junior Hoilett (29.Simon Becher 65’), 25.Ryan Gauld (45.Pedro Vite 52’); 24.Brian White

Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 23.Javain Brown, 28.Levonte Johnson, 31.Russell Teibert