SEATTLE, WA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC put in a valiant performance to pull off a thrilling 2-2 draw against league-leading Seattle Sounders FC in Seattle on Saturday night.
Cristian Dájome and Lucas Cavallini scored the goals for the 'Caps as the result snapped a five-match losing streak.The first 45 minutes saw Vancouver and Seattle evenly matched, with the visiting 'Caps attacking the home side from the get-go.
Despite a strong first half, Seattle opened the scoring in the 40th minute when golden boot leader Raul RuidÃaz netted his ninth of the season.
The best scoring opportunity for Whitecaps FC in the first half came just before halftime from a breakaway for Déiber Caicedo, with Stefan Cleveland’s leg keeping the ball out of the net. Whitecaps FC were quick to tie up the scoring following halftime, with Dájome scoring in the 49th minute as he forced Seattle’s goalkeeper out of the net leaving it wide open for the finish.
In the 56th minute, Cavallini gave his team their second goal in the second half of play on a cross from Dájome, putting the 'Caps ahead with a 2-1 lead.
Seattle was able to come back and even up the scoring in the 71st minute with substitute Jimmy Medranda putting the ball past Maxime Crépeau from the penalty arc.
Crépeau stayed busy in the final 45 with the ‘Caps holding onto slightly less possession. With three saves, the Canadian international was able to keep the Sounders off the board.
While the battles continued between the two teams, the ‘Caps were able to hold on for a 2-2 draw against their rival.
Whitecaps FC are back in action next week when they visit FC Dallas on Sunday, July 4 at Toyota Stadium. Catch the game live on TSN 1/3 and AM730 starting at 5:30 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Cristian Dájome*
Referee:* Guido Gonzales Jr.
Scoring Summary
40' - SEA - Raúl RuidÃaz (Brad Smith, Josh Atencio)
49' - VAN - Cristian Dájome (Caio Alexandre)
56' - VAN - Lucas Cavallini (Cristian Dájome, Andy Rose)
71' - SEA - Jimmy Medranda (Fredy Montero)
Statistics
Possession: SEA 61.6 – VAN 38.4
Shots: SEA 19 – VAN 11
Shots on Goal: SEA 5 – VAN 4
Saves: SEA 2 – VAN 3
Fouls: SEA 9 – VAN 13
Offsides: SEA 0 – VAN 2
Corners: SEA 2 – VAN 1
Cautions
22' - VAN - Lucas Cavallini
45'+4 - VAN - Caio Alexandre
89' - VAN - Maxime Crépeau
Seattle Sounders FC
30.Stefan Cleveland; 28.Yeimar Gómez Andrade, 27.Shane O'Neill, 92.Abdoulaye Cissoko (94.Jimmy Medranda 68'); 16.Alex Roldan (22.Kelyn Rowe 86'), 84.Josh Atencio (75.Danny Leyva 61'), 6.João Paulo, 7.Cristian Roldan, 11.Brad Smith; 17.Will Bruin (12.Fredy Montero 61'), 9.Raúl RuidÃaz
Substitutes not used
18.Spencer Richey, 21.Reed Baker-Whiting, 45.Ethan Dobbelaere
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 19.Janio Bikel, 22.Érik Godoy, 15.Andy Rose (4.Ranko Veselinović 74'), 3.Cristian Gutierrez; 8.Caio Alexandre, 55.Michael Baldisimo (32.Patrick Metcalfe 81'), 31.Russell Teibert © (27.Ryan Raposo 85'); 11.Cristian Dájome (24.Brian White 85'), 9.Lucas Cavallini, 7.Déiber Caicedo (17.Leonard Owusu 74')
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 12.Evan Newton, 13.Derek Cornelius, 14.Theo Bair
