SAN DIEGO, CA – In their first preseason match in San Diego, Whitecaps FC played to a 2-2 draw against Liga MX side Club Tijuana.
The 'Caps opened the scoring in the fifth minute. After Cristian Dajome earned a corner kick, Ryan Gauld whipped a ball in and Leo Owusu took a touch and finished for the opening goal.
A few minutes later Tijuana earned a penalty kick, but Thomas Hasal came up with a huge low diving save to his right against Xolos forward Joaquín Montecinos and kept the score 1-0.
Later in the half a long kick from Hasal was headed on by Brian White to Deiber Caicedo, who hit a shot just past the far post.
27 minutes into the match, Russell Teibert came off with a knock and was replaced by Pedro Vite.
In the second half the 'Caps came out with a new set of starters, with only first half substitute Vite remaining.
After a 'Caps corner kick in the 66th minute, Tijuana countered down field, resulting in a 'Caps own goal to make it 1-1.
Tijuana then took the lead in the 75th minute on a goal from Christian Leyva, but the 'Caps responded three minutes later when Tosaint Ricketts tucked in a rebound.
The final whistle wrapped up the first of four preseason matches. The 'Caps return to action on Wednesday, February 9 when they play USL Championship side New Mexico United at 1 p.m. PT, back at Triton Soccer Stadium.
Scoring summary
5’ – VAN – Leonard Owusu (Ryan Gauld)
66’ – TIJ – Érik Godoy (own goal)
75’ – TIJ – Christian Leyva
78’ – VAN – Tosaint Ricketts
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
First Half
1.Thomas Hasal; 6.Tristan Blackmon, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 26.Florian Jungwirth; 17.Leonard Owusu; 2.Marcus Godinho, 31.Russell Teibert (45.Pedro Vite 27'), 25.Ryan Gauld, 11.Cristian Dájome; 24.Brian White, 7.Déiber Caicedo
Second Half
50.Max Anchor; 61.Matteo Campagna, 22.Érik Godoy, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 33.Michael Baldisimo; 23.Javain Brown 18.David Egbo 77'), 52.Vasco Fry (66.Giovanni Aguilar 69'), 45.Pedro Vite (51.Ali Ahmed 69'), 27.Ryan Raposo; 87.Tosaint Ricketts, 49.Emiliano Brienza
