CALGARY, AB – Maxime Crépeau’s diving save in the final seconds sealed a scoreless draw between Vancouver Whitecaps FC and Cavalry FC in the first leg of their Canadian Championship Qualifying Round 3 series at Spruce Meadows on Wednesday evening.
The deadlock sets up a decisive leg with all to play for at BC Place on Wednesday, July 24. All WFC Canadian Championship matches are included in the ‘Caps season ticket membership. Single-match tickets are available on whitecapsfc.com.
After a first half that saw the first-time opponents trying to get a read on each other, Ali Adnan looked to have set up the opening goal with a marauding run in the 48th minute, but the official ruled the ‘Caps offside with a late whistle.
Yordy Reyna, who tallied three shots on target on the evening, came closest just before the hour-mark, but the attempt was saved by Marco Carducci, one of six Cavalry FC players who have spent time in the Whitecaps FC system.
Lucas Venuto and Victor “PC” Giro provided a spark off the ‘Caps bench, combining on the counterattack in the 76th minute, but Giro’s shot missed wide of the right post.
The home side looked for the late upset when Honduran midfielder José Escalante sent a bending ball toward the top left corner, but Crépeau went full-stretch for the heroic stop, capping off the road clean sheet.
Andy Rose had a last-ditch chance to steal the game at the death, but his header off an Adnan set up was inches off the corner.
Whitecaps FC now face a quick turnaround as they return to league competition on Saturday, July 13 when they host Sporting Kansas City at BC Place. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Pierre-Luc Lauziere
Attendance: 5,129
Scoring Summary
None
Statistics
Possession: CAV 44.6% – VAN 55.4%
Shots: CAV 7 – VAN 9
Shots on Goal: CAV 2 – VAN 3
Saves: CAV 3 – VAN 2
Fouls: CAV 13 – VAN 11
Offsides: CAV 1 – VAN 2
Corners: CAV 8 – VAN 2
Cautions
56’ – CAV – José Escalante
66’ – CAV – Elijah Adekugbe
71’ – CAV – Nikolas Ledgerwood
89’ – VAN – Ali Adnan
Cavalry FC
1.Marco Carducci; 4.Dominick Zator, 14.Jonathan Wheeldon, 5.Mason Trafford ©; 12.Dean Northover, 8.Julian Büscher (6.Nikolas Ledgerwood 63’), 16.Elijah Adekugbe, 11.José Escalante; 17.Nico Pasquotti, 23.Dominique Malonga (9.Jordan Brown 75’), 10.Sergio Camargo (7.Oliver 83’)
Substitutes not used
22.Nikolas Giantsopoulos, 13.Victor Loturi, 18.Mauro Eustáquio, 21.Malyk Hamilton
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 22.Érik Godoy, 2.Doneil Henry, 13.Derek Cornelius; 23.Scott Sutter, 15.Andy Rose, 8.Felipe Martins, 31.Russell Teibert (94.Victor “PC” Giro 65’), 53.Ali Adnan; 12.Fredy Montero © (9.Joaquín Ardaiz 76’), 29.Yordy Reyna (7.Lucas Venuto 70’)
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 4.Inbeom Hwang, 6.Jon Erice, 28.Jake Nerwinski
