- Whitecaps FC extended their unbeaten run to six matches (5W-0L-1D) in all competitions. They are now in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference, six points out of third place with a game in hand
- Fafa Picault scored his sixth goal of the 2024 MLS season, and now has 9 goal contributions (6 goals, 3 assists). It also marked Picault's third goal in five MLS matches, and his second straight game-winning goal at BC Place
- Sebastian Berhalter recorded his third assist of the MLS season. He now has a career-high five goal contributions (2 goals, 3 assists)
- Andres Cubas recorded his third assist of the MLS season
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC extended their undefeated streak to six matches on a warm Wednesday night, defeating Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in front of a lively crowd at BC Place.
The match began with Whitecaps FC full of confidence. Brian White nearly got the ‘Caps going in the opening five minutes, leaping up to meet a corner kick. His headed effort was denied off the line before his follow-up shot sailed over the crossbar. Ryan Gauld had a fantastic opportunity as well just a few minutes later, being found in the box for a first-time effort but his shot went straight into the hands of Tim Melia.
Gauld then had a pair of chances from just outside the box, attempting to curl one into the far post from the right side but fizzing them both just over the bar. Whitecaps FC continued their dominant display when White had a rising header float over the bar after meeting an Ali Ahmed cross in the 26th minute.
The ‘Caps finally got their breakthrough in the 34th minute after a sublime passing sequence. A slick one-two between White and Gauld saw the Scot get slipped through on goal inside the box. Gauld laid it off for a tap-in from White, but it was instead put in by a sliding Robert Voloder for an own goal.
Whitecaps FC continued to pile on the pressure on SKC for the rest of the half, including two terrific runs from Ahmed that both resulted in goals called back offside. The referee finally provided SKC some relief as he whistled for halftime.
The second half began with Kansas City searching for an equalizer. Erik Thommy forced Yohei Takaoka into making his first big save of the match, lacing a shot towards goal that Takaoka had to parry away.
Takaoka made another massive save to keep his side’s lead in the 62nd minute, after Stephen Afrifa smacked the crossbar from inside the box. Sallói had a follow-up shot that looked destined to hit the roof of the net but it was tipped by an outstretched Takaoka.
SKC did end up getting an equalizer in the 69th minute. Sallói was found inside the box and tried an audacious effort to score, forcing Takaoka into palming the shot. The ball fell to William Agada, who swept it into the back of the net for 1-1.
Fafa Picault, on as substitute, proved to be a difference-maker.
First, the Haitian international was millimetres away from regaining the ‘Caps’ lead just a few minutes after SKC’s goal. Luis Martins whipped a cross in towards the back post for Picault to tap in, but contact was missed by a fraction of a second.
Picault had his redemption in the 76th minute, getting on the end of a sumptuous cross from Sebastian Berhalter. This time he timed his run to perfection and thundered home the header at the back post to make it 2-1 on the night.
Pedro Vite almost sealed the deal for the 'Caps in added time, after being found by Levonte Johnson just on the edge of the box, but the Ecuadorian’s shot was straight down the middle.
Thommy had a last-gasp opportunity to tie it back up for SKC with a free kick right on the edge of the Whitecaps FC box, but sent his effort sailing over the bar. That would be the last action of the match as the 'Caps continued their hot-streak with this hard-fought victory.
Whitecaps FC are back in action at home this Saturday, July 20 against Houston Dynamo FC for the club's 11th annual Pride Match, presented by BMO. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. PT, with the 'Caps & Queens Drag Happy Hour starting at 4 p.m. PT on Terry Fox Plaza. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ranko Veselinović
Attendance: 23,198
Referee: Marcos DeOliveira II
Scoring Summary
34’ – VAN – Robert Voloder (own goal)
69’ – SKC – William Agada
76’ – VAN – Fafa Picault (Sebastian Berhalter, Andrés Cubas)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 55.1% - SKC 44.9%
Shots: VAN 13 - SKC 17
Shots on Goal: VAN 4 - SKC 7
Saves: VAN 5 - SKC 2
Fouls: VAN 10 - SKC 7
Offsides: VAN 2 - SKC 0
Corners: VAN 4 - SKC 6
Caution
87’ – SKC – Robert Voloder
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 2.Mathías Laborda, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik; 7.Ryan Raposo (16.Sebastian Berhalter 68’), 45.Pedro Vite, 20.Andrés Cubas, 8.Alessandro Schöpf (14.Luis Martins 72’); 25.Ryan Gauld © (27.Giuseppe Bovalina 88’), 24.Brian White (28.Levonte Johnson 88’), 22.Ali Ahmed (11.Fafa Picault 68’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 12.Belal Halbouni, 13.Ralph Priso, 19.Damir Kreilach
Sporting Kansas City29.Tim Melia; 24.Kayden Pierre (11.Khiry Shelton HT), 19.Roberto Castellanos, 4.Robert Voloder, 22.Zorhan Bassong; 6.Nemanja Radoja, 54.Remi Walter; 20.Alenis Vargas (30.Stephen Afrifa HT), 9.Alan Pulido (26.Erik Thommy HT), 10.Daniel Sallói; 23.William Agada
Substitutes not used
36.Ryan Schewe, 3.Andreu Fontás, 14.Tim Leibold
