- Whitecaps FC now turn their attention to the 2024 TELUS Canadian Championship Final this coming Wednesday, September 25 at BC Place against Toronto FC
- With two assists, Ryan Gauld now has 26 goal contributions in all competitions (11 goals, 15 assists)
- Brian White scored his ninth goal in his past eight MLS appearances. His 14 MLS regular season goals are one behind his career high set last season
- Sam Adekugbe scored his first MLS regular season goal, and recorded his third goal contribution of the season (1 goal, 2 assists)
- Sebastian Berhalter made his 100th MLS appearance, including playoffs. Berhalter's assist brings him up to six goal contributions this season (2 goals, 4 assists)
- Édier Ocampo made his first start for Vancouver Whitecaps FC
CARSON, CA – A rotated Vancouver Whitecaps FC side fought valiantly, but ultimately came up short 4-2 to the Western Conference leading Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, who remained unbeaten at Dignity Health Sports Park.
The 'Caps gladly welcomed Brian White back into the starting lineup, and the 'Caps all-time leading MLS goalscorer would score his ninth goal in his past eight MLS appearances, while Sam Adekugbe scored a late marker for his first career goal in the MLS regular season.
Early moments in the match proved a stalemate for both sides, but Whitecaps FC found their moments to attack through set pieces and counters, including a corner kick to Belal Halbouni in the fifth minute and a long strike from Alessandro Schöpf that deflected wide in the ninth minute.
At the other end, Gabriel Pec was a constant threat for the Galaxy. Finally, after 32 minutes, the Brazilian would find the ball land fortunately at his feet in the box, sliding his 13th goal of the season past an outstretched Yohei Takaoka for a 1-0 lead.
Five minutes later, MLS Defender of the Year contender Ranko Veselinović bravely went to ground to shut down a rush from attacker Joseph Paintsil.
At the half, Whitecaps FC head coach Vanni Sartini brought on two veterans, Ryan Gauld and Pedro Vite, to swing the pressure back towards the Galaxy.
Gauld immediately went to work. The Whitecaps FC captain sprinted ahead on the near touchline to strip the ball off Galaxy defender Miki Yamane. The wily Scotland international put a low cross into the middle of the box for White, who spun to deliver for Colombian wingback Édier Ocampo – making his first start for Whitecaps FC – but his shot went too high.
The hill would become tougher to climb on this night for the 'Caps. Pec wasn’t done causing havoc as he pulled off a give-and go with Riqui Puig. Once he received the ball back, he flashed a low cross across goal that unfortunately deflected in off a sliding Sebastian Berhalter.
However, Gauld kept his head up for another glorious chance. Off a corner kick, his second touch came inches from putting the away side on the board when his probing ball barely missed Tristan Blackmon’s head at the back post.
With 30 minutes left, another beautiful Gauld cross led to the ’Caps cutting the lead in half. Berhalter headed the ball to an onrushing White, who cooly tucked it home underneath LA ’keeper John McCarthy.
Six minutes later, LA would restore a two-goal advantage. This time it was Pec to Paintsil for 3-1. In stoppage time, Pec would provide one more dagger with an assist to Riqui Puig to make it four.
But just before the final whistle, an undeterred Gauld expertly whipped in a corner to set up Adekugbe for a header and a 4-2 final.
Next up, Whitecaps FC come home to BC Place to go for the TELUS Canadian Championship three-peat. It all comes down to this, as the 'Caps host rivals Toronto FC this coming on Wednesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets are still available. Secure your chance to witness history at ticketmaster.ca/whitecaps.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Brian White
Attendance: 25,387
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Scoring Summary32’ – LA – Gabriel Pec
50’ – LA – Sebastian Berhalter (own goal)
63’ – VAN – Brian White (Sebastian Berhalter, Ryan Gauld)
69’ – LA – Joseph Paintsil (Gabriel Pec)
90'+3 – LA – Riqui Puig (Gabriel Pec)
90'+7 – VAN – Sam Adekugbe (Ryan Gauld)
Cautions8’ – VAN – Sebastian Berhalter
85’ – VAN – Stuart Armstrong
88’ – VAN – Pedro Vite
StatisticsPossession: LA 58.3% - VAN 41.7%
Shots: LA 15 - VAN 13
Shots on Goal: LA 8 - VAN 2
Saves: LA 0 - VAN 5
Fouls: LA 5 - VAN 9
Offsides: LA 0 - VAN 1
Corners: LA 4 - VAN 12
Los Angeles Galaxy77.John McCarthy; 2.Miki Yamane, 25.Carlos Emiro Garcés, 4.Maya Yoshida, 14.John Nelson (19.Mauricio Cuevas 83’); 18.Marco Reus (8.Marco Delgado 66’), 20.Edwin Cerrillo (5.Gastón Brugman 83’), 10.Riqui Puig; 11.Gabriel Pec, 9.Dejan Joveljić (27.Miguel Berry 82’), 28.Joseph Paintsil (7.Diego Fagúndez 77’)
Substitutes not used
35.Novak Mićović, 3.Julián Aude, 15.Eriq Zavaleta, 24.Jalen Neal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC1.Yohei Takaoka; 12.Belal Halbouni, 4.Ranko Veselinović ©, 6.Tristan Blackmon; 2.MathÃas Laborda (25.Ryan Gauld HT), 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 13.Ralph Priso (Pedro Vite HT), 8.Alessandro Schöpf, 18.Édier Ocampo (3.Sam Adekugbe 66’); 24.Brian White (11.Fafa Picault 77’), 28.Levonte Johnson (26.Stuart Armstrong 65’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 7.Ryan Raposo, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik, 19.Damir Kreilach
