VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC recorded a 2-0 victory against Austin FC on Fan Appreciation Night presented by BCLC this Saturday night at BC Place. The win, combined with other results, ensures that the 'Caps can clinch a spot in the MLS Cup Playoffs with a victory on Decision Day at Minnesota United FC to conclude the regular season next Sunday, October 9.
The first half started quickly for the ‘Caps. Pedro Vite’s brilliant pass on the right channel of the field sprung Ryan Gauld on a breakaway, and the Scottish attacking midfielder then slotted home the opening goal in the seventh minute of the match.
The 'Caps continued to find attacking chances in the first half, led by an outstanding performance from Gauld who was again put in on goal by Vite, while also setting up Brian White in the box, but neither would result in a goal. The Blue & White went into the break with a one goal lead.
The second half would see Gauld at it again, crossing in a pass to White inside the centre of the area, but his header would be saved in the 50th minute by goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
A little over 10 minutes later substitute Lucas Cavallini started a counter, with wingback LuÃs Martins orchestrating down the left, and ending with Gauld feeding a pass to Lucas Cavallini inside the area. The Canadian international would make no mistake, tapping it in to extend the ‘Caps lead in the 62nd minute.
Austin FC would push for a goal of their own, but the 'Caps held them off the board to record their 10th clean sheet of the season in all competitions to complete a huge 2-0 win.
Up next for the Blue & White is their final match of the MLS regular season against Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field next Sunday, October 9, with kickoff set to be at 2 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action live on TSN and AM730. Don’t forget to secure your 2023 Season Membership via whitecapsfc.com/seasontickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld*
Attendance:* 19,292*
Referee:* Timothy Ford
Scoring Summary
7’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld (Pedro Vite)
62’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini (Ryan Gauld, LuÃs Martins)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 31% – ATX 69%
Shots: VAN 8 – ATX 13
Shots on Goal: VAN 6 – ATX 5
Saves: VAN 5 – ATX 4
Fouls: VAN 11 – ATX 12
Offsides: VAN 4 – ATX 1
Corners: VAN 2 – ATX 4
Cautions
18’ – ATX – Jhohan Romaña
18’ – ATX – Josh Wolff
57’ – ATX – Alexander Ring
90’+1’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini
90’+1’ – ATX – Felipe Martins
90’+7’ – ATX – Julio Cascante
90’+7’ – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 14.LuÃs Martins; 31.Russell Teibert © (17.Leonard Owusu 86’), 20.Andrés Cubas (16.Sebastian Berhalter 65’); 19.Julian Gressel, 25.Ryan Gauld (27.Ryan Raposo 85’); 45.Pedro Vite, 24.Brian White (9.Lucas Cavallini 59’)
Substitutes not used
55.Cody Cropper, 2.Marcus Godinho, 11.Cristian Dájome, 23.Javain Brown, 87.Tosaint Ricketts
Austin FC
1.Brad Stuver; 16.Hector Jimenez (24.Nick Lima 59’), 18.Julio Cascante, 3.Jhohan Romaña, 17.Jon Gallagher; 8.Alexander Ring © (22.Felipe Martins 73’), 6.Daniel Pereira (11.Rodney Redes 85’); 77.Emiliano Rigoni (13.Ethan Finlay 59’), 7.Sebastián Driussi, 14.Diego Fagúndez; 37.Maximiliano Urruti (2.Moussa Djitté 73’)
Substitutes not used
31.Andrew Tarbell, 5.Jhojan Valencia, 15.Kipp Keller, 23.Zan Kolmanic
