Cardiac 'Caps do it again! Playoff line in sight

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC recorded a 2-1 victory against Western Conference side Real Salt Lake this Saturday evening at BC Place.

The ‘Caps would be the first team to breakthrough in the first half. Following a long throw-in from Jake Nerwinski, Florian Jungwirth's headed flick found defender Ranko Veselinović inside the box, who opened the scoring with a right footed tip in the 31st minute of the match.

The second half would begin with goalkeeper Cody Cropper making a strong save off a Sergio Córdova header in the 51st minute. Real Salt Lake then tied the game moments later, as winger Justin Meram converted his shot when he got onto a loose ball from the left side of the box in the 52nd minute.

As the match progressed, a long range shot from substitute Jefferson Savarino was saved by Cropper, and Córdova’s close range rebound attempt would be held off as well by the 29-year-old goalkeeper in the 61st minute.

The Blue & White were awarded a penalty kick in the dying moments of the match, when wingback Luís Martins was taken down in the box. Midfielder Ryan Gauld converted from the spot giving the ‘Caps a 2-1 victory to close within one point of a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The ‘Caps head down to Lumen Field on Tuesday, June 14, for a Cascadia Cup matchup against Seattle Sounders FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Catch all the action live on TSN and AM730.

Following two road matches, the 'Caps will have another four-game home stand starting on Wednesday, June 22 when they host York United FC in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship. Tickets for all Whitecaps FC home matches are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Cody Cropper
Attendance: 17,134
Referee: Jon Freemon

Scoring Summary
31’ – VAN – Ranko Veselinović
52’ – RSL – Justin Meram
90’+3’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld (penalty kick)

Statistics
Possession: VAN 40.7% – RSL 59.3%
Shots: VAN 6 – RSL 10
Shots on Goal: VAN 4 – RSL 4
Saves: VAN 3 – RSL 2
Fouls: VAN 13 – RSL 12
Offsides: VAN 2 – RSL 1
Corners: VAN 2 – RSL 3

Cautions
28’ – RSL – Aaron Herrera
38’ – VAN – Déiber Caicedo
62’ – RSL – Justin Meram
68’ – RSL – Jasper Löeffelsend
76’ – VAN – Florian Jungwirth
90’ – VAN – Caio Alexandre

Ejections
90’+1’ – RSL – Aaron Herrera

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
55.Cody Cropper; 22.Érik Godoy, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski ©; 27.Ryan Raposo (2.Marcus Godinho 71’), 16.Sebastian Berhalter (25.Ryan Gauld, 63’), 26.Florian Jungwirth, 17.Leonard Owusu (8.Caio Alexandre 74’), 3.Cristián Gutiérrez (14.Luís Martins 71’); 24.Brian White, 7.Déiber Caicedo (87.Tosaint Ricketts 74’)

Substitutes not used
60.Isaac Boehmer, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 33.Michael Baldisimo, 45.Pedro Vite

Real Salt Lake
18.Zac MacMath; 22.Aaron Herrera, 15.Justen Glad, 30.Marcelo Silva ©, 2.Andrew Brody; 16.Maikel Chang (11.Jefferson Savarino 60’), 28.Jasper Löeffelsend, 6.Pablo Ruiz, 9.Justin Meram (29.Anderson Julio 82’); 10.Sergio Córdova (26.Diego Luna 88’), 7.Bobby Wood

Substitutes not used
81.Tomás Gómez, 3.Chris Kablan, 4.Johan Kappelhof, 12.Scott Caldwell, 13.Nick Besler, 25.Everton Luiz