VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC midfielder Julian Gressel, attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld, and forward Brian White have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for their performances in a recording-breaking 6-2 victory over Houston Dynamo FC in Matchday 16.
The trio each recorded two goal contributions on Wednesday night, marking the second time this season three different 'Caps players have tallied two goal contributions in the same match.
Gressel netted his fourth and fifth goals across all competitions on Wednesday night, scoring his first-career brace while also recording 81.8% passing accuracy and creating two chances.
Gauld scored the ‘Caps record-breaking sixth goal of the match and added his fourth assist of the season across all competitions on Gressel’s first goal. The Scotsman also tallied a team-high five shots, a team-high 21 passes in the final third and nine duels.
Meanwhile, White scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season across all competitions in the first 10 seconds of the second half. White's strike is now tied for the fastest goal to kickoff a second half in league history since 2011.
In addition, White registered his first assist of the season on Pedro Vite's opening goal of the match, which at 15 seconds, is now the fastest goal scored in club history.
Seven 'Caps players have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday this season, with Gressel (Matchday 7, Matchday 16), Gauld (Matchday 11, Matchday 14, Matchday 16), and White (Matchday 11, Matchday 16) joining Yohei Takaoka (Matchday 8, Matchday 10), Ali Ahmed (Matchday 6), Simon Becher (Matchday 5, Matchday 6), and Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 4).
F: Dániel Sallói (SKC), Cucho Hernández (CLB), Sunusi Ibrahim (MTL)
M: Carles Gil (NE), Gastón Brugman (LA), Lucas Zelarayán (CLB), Julian Gressel (VAN)
D: Álvaro Barreal (CIN), Julio Cascante (ATX), Calegari (LA)
GK: Daniel (SJ)
Coach: Luchi Gonzalez (SJ)
Bench: Brad Stuver (ATX), Sean Nealis (RBNY), Thiago Almada (ATL), Riqui Puig (LA), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Gadi Kinda (SKC), Luciano Acosta (CIN), Ariel Lassiter (MTL), Brian White (VAN)
Next up, the 'Caps continue their four-game homestand this Saturday, June 3 as they take on Western Conference foes Sporting Kansas City at BC Place, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT.
The homestand continues as the Blue and White host the 2023 Canadian Championship Final against CF Montréal on Wednesday, June 7 as they look for back-to-back Voyageurs Cup titles. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT. Starting at 4 p.m. PT, the club will be paying for 50 per cent off all drinks through to gates open and right up to kickoff*. This includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
*$5.00 menu items at section 227 & 201 in concessions and $5.00 menu items at The Warmup patio are excluded from this promotion
MLS Season Pass
The 2023 season sees the debut of MLS Season Pass, the unprecedented subscription service from Apple and MLS that will have every match of the regular season, Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, and Leagues Cup – all in one place and with no blackouts. As an exclusive benefit, Whitecaps FC 2023 Season Members will receive a subscription to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, as well as significant savings over single match tickets.
