VANCOUVER, BC – Cristian Techera's second-half hat trick led Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-5L-5D) to a whirlwind comeback 3-3 draw against New England Revolution (5W-4L-3D) on Saturday afternoon.
The resilient 'Caps battled back once again for the home point, thanks to Techera, who lit up BC Place with the third hat trick in club MLS history, and their first since 2013.
New England took the lead in the 26th minute through a ‘Caps own goal, after Revolution winger Cristian Penilla put in a low cross to the near post, which deflected off 'Caps centre back Aly Ghazal and into the net.
The Revs doubled their advantage after the halftime break after winger Penilla nestled a low shot into the bottom right hand corner in the 48th minute.
Whitecaps FC were unfazed by their circumstances, cutting into the lead a minute later after Marcel de Jong whipped in a pinpoint cross to an open Techera at the back post, whose first-time shot beat Revolution goalkeeper Matt Turner.
Vancouver drew level shortly after in the 51st minute, when “The Bug” pounced on a loose ball at the back post, finishing his shot into the roof of the net for his second goal of the match.
New England regained the lead in the 59th minute courtesy of Teal Bunbury, after Diego Fagundez’s low cross from out wide found the forward's feet, and Bunbury's shot from close range beat ‘Caps goalkeeper Brian Rowe.
Cristian Techera completed his hat trick in the 74th minute to bring the ‘Caps level at 3-3. The Uruguayan was on hand at the back post once again, this time volleying home Yordy Reyna’s cross into the bottom right hand corner.
Both sides looked to find a winner in the closing stages but the thrilling matchup came to an end with the two sides deadlocked.
Whitecaps FC, who have now scored nine goals in their last four matches, visit Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Friday, June 1. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT live on TSN and BNN Bloomberg Radio 1410. They are back home on Saturday, June 9 when they host Orlando City SC at BC Place. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MCMILLAN 'CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every 'Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $800 for a running total of $4,100.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Cristian Techera
Referee: Joseph Dickerson
Attendance: 22,120
Scoring Summary
26’ – NE – Aly Ghazal (own goal)
48’ – NE – Cristian Penilla
49’ – VAN – Cristian Techera (Marcel de Jong, Alphonso Davies)
51’ – VAN – Cristian Techera
59’ – NE – Teal Bunbury (Diego Fagundez, Brandon Bye)
74’ – VAN – Cristian Techera (Yordy Reyna, Felipe)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 45.6% – NE 54.4%
Shots: VAN 21 – NE 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 8 – NE 4
Saves: VAN 2 – NE 6
Fouls: VAN 13 – NE 9
Offsides: VAN 1 – NE 0
Corners: VAN 8 – NE 12
Duels won: VAN 61 – NE 54
Tackles won: VAN 16 – NE 13
Cautions
11’ – NE – Teal Bunbury
17’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
30’ – VAN – Kei Kamara
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
12.Brian Rowe; 3.Sean Franklin, 66.Aly Ghazal, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 17.Marcel de Jong (20.Brek Shea 53’); 13.Cristian Techera, 8.Felipe, 31.Russell Teibert (6.Efraín Juárez 69’), 67.Alphonso Davies (9.Anthony Blondell 78’); 23.Kei Kamara, 29.Yordy Reyna
Substitutes not used
39.Sean Melvin, 7.Bernie Ibini, 11.Nicolás Mezquida, 18.José Aja
New England Revolution
30.Matt Turner; 2.Andrew Farrell, 3.Jalil Anibaba, 4.Claude Dielna © (7.Brian Wright 67’); 15.Brandon Bye, 23.Wilfried Zahibo, 14.Diego Fagundez, 27.Luis Caicedo, 91.Gabriel Somi (8.Scott Tierney 82’); 70.Cristian Penilla, 10.Teal Bunbury (6.Scott Caldwell 89’)
Substitutes not used
18.Brad Knighton, 9.Krisztián Németh, 11.Kelyn Rowe, 12.Nicolas Samayoa
