VANCOUVER, BC – You may be surprised to know that Vancouver Whitecaps FC have beaten LAFC in each of the past six years, dating back to 2019.
Now, the 'Caps seek their biggest win over their Western Conference rivals yet - starting this coming Sunday, Ocotber 27 in game one of the Round One Best-of-3 Series at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles (kickoff at 6:45 p.m. PT live for free on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, FS1, and on CKNW.com and whitecapsfc.com). Whitecaps FC 2024 playoffs are presented by BMO, PlayNow Sports and TELUS.
Below we take a look back at each memorable victory.
Marc Dos Santos was in his first season as an MLS head coach, coming over as an assistant coach from ... you guessed it, LAFC. South Korean international midfielder Inbeom Hwang scored the lone goal for the 'Caps in their first victory over their newfound rivals.
In the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 'Caps were displaced from their home and forced to set up camp in Portland. Playing home matches at Providence Park, they "hosted" LAFC late in the season as Lucas Cavallini scored both goals in a 2-1 win.
This one was special. After 18 months away due to the pandemic, 'Caps fans finally had the chance to welcome their team back home to BC Place. This also marked the home debut for a number of 'Caps players, including both Brian White and Ryan Gauld. They would not disappoint, scoring each of the two goals in an emotional win. The win also marked the start of the Stand by Me post-match victory tradition.
It seems that every match between these two clubs is emotionally charged, and this one was no different. In his first match back at BC Place since moving to LAFC, former 'Caps keeper Maxime Crépeau heard it from the home fans. A tense stalemate was finally broken in the final minutes from an unlikely hero, as Andrés Cubas scored his first goal in 'Caps colours with a lovely strike.
Little by little the 'Caps have been making headway in their quest to gain respect in the Western Conference, and in 2023 they made a big statement with their first victory at BMO Stadium. It was the cornerstones of the club over the past several years all getting on the scoreboard, as Ranko Veselinović, Brian White starting the scoring, with Ryan Gauld setting up both before scoring the third himself.
This year the 'Caps proved once again that they can go toe-to-toe with LAFC in their own stadium, this time in the Leagues Cup. Despite missing Ryan Gauld, the 'Caps shot out to an early 2-0 lead courtesy of a Sebastian Berhalter rocket, followed by an assist from him to Ranko Veselinović who scored at BMO Stadium for a second straight year. LAFC pressed late to force the match into a shootout, but young Isaac Boehmer stood tall, stopping former 'Caps striker Kei Kamara on the way to victory.
Make sure to be there for game two at BC Place on Sunday, November 3. Kickoff will be at 5:45 p.m. PT. For all ticket options, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
