VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to Major League Soccer action with a 1-0 victory against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers this Saturday evening at BC Place. The result increased their unbeaten run in MLS action to five matches.
The 'Caps were in the ascendancy throughout the match, and threatened early on. MathÃas Laborda had two of the best chances in the first half, with a header saved in the seventh minute, and another over the crossbar in the 22nd minute.
After the halftime interval, Pedro Vite would send a quick ball on the right flank of the field to Julian Gressel, as his strong shot was parried away by goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic in the 58th minute.
As the match progressed, the ‘Caps continued to push. In the 74th minute, Gressel had a cross attempt blocked before sending another ball into the box to Brian White, as the striker scored for a second consecutive MLS match.
Late into stoppage time, substitute forward Déiber Caicedo sprung himself in the final third, but his shot attempt was kept away by Ivacic.
As the final whistle blew, the 'Caps would see the match out with another convincing victory at BC Place.
The Blue & White now head down to California for the second leg of the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals versus Los Angeles FC this upcoming Tuesday, April 11. The match will be live at 7:15 p.m. PT on OneSoccer, fuboTV, and TELUS channel 980.
The club will then continue the MLS season with another Western Conference matchup on the road against Austin FC on Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m. PT. The ‘Caps then return home on Saturday, April 29 as they host Colorado Rapids at BC Place at 7:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
NOTES
- The five-match unbeaten streak is the club's longest in MLS since a six-match unbeaten streak to end the 2021 regular season. The club record MLS unbeaten streak also came in 2021, when the 'Caps went 10 matches without a defeat.
- Whitecaps FC have not allowed a shot on target in their past two MLS matches.
- Whitecaps FC have not conceded a goal, or shot on target, in 230 minutes of MLS play.
- Julian Gressel is tied for third in MLS with four assists on the season. Gressel also leads Whitecaps FC with five assists in all competitions.
- Brian White scored his fourth goal of the season in all competitions, tying Simon Becher for the team lead.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Julian Gressel
Attendance: 17,029
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Scoring Summary74’ – VAN – Brian White (Julian Gressel)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 57.6% – POR 42.4%
Shots: VAN 13 – POR 2
Shots on Goal: VAN 9 – POR 0
Saves: VAN 0 – POR 8
Fouls: VAN 20 – POR 14
Offsides: VAN 4 – POR 0
Corners: VAN 12 – POR 1
Cautions39’ – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
48’ – POR – Dario Zuparic
53’ – POR – Santiago Moreno
90’ – VAN – Brian White
90’ – POR – David Ayala
90’+2’ – VAN – Vanni Sartini
90’+3’ – VAN – Sebastian Berhalter
Vancouver Whitecaps FC18.Yohei Takaoka; 2.MathÃas Laborda, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 14.LuÃs Martins (23.Javain Brown 82’); 19.Julian Gressel, 20.Andrés Cubas (16.Sebastian Berhalter 29’), 22.Ali Ahmed (7.Déiber Caicedo 82’); 45.Pedro Vite (11.Cristian Dájome 82’), 25.Ryan Gauld ©; 29.Simon Becher (24.Brian White 66’)
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 26.J.C. Ngando, 27.Ryan Raposo, 31.Russell Teibert
Portland Timbers31.Aljaz Ivacic; 15.Eric Miller, 13.Dario Zuparic, 18.Zac McGraw, 14.Justin Rasmussen; 30.Santiago Moreno (24.David Ayala 77’), 21.Diego Chara ©, 16.Diego Gutiérrez (20.Evander HT); 29.Juan Mosquera (99.Nathan Fogaça 81’), 17.Tega Ikoba (11.Jaroslaw Niezgoda HT), 27.Dairon Asprilla (7.Franck Boli 66’)
Substitutes not used
26.Hunter Sulte, 5.Claudio Bravo, 28.Pablo Bonilla, 33.Larrys Mabiala
