VANCOUVER, BC – Zlatan Ibrahimovic tallied a goal and an assist to lead LA Galaxy to a 2-0 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place on Friday evening.
Whitecaps FC had a pair of golden chances to get in front early but could not capitalize, leaving the door open for the Galaxy star striker to steer control of the match in the second half for the road result.
Lass Bangoura put the ‘Caps in position to take the lead in the opening minute when he won a penalty kick on a foul from fullback Jørgen Skjelvik, but Ali Adnan’s chip from the spot was stopped by keeper David Bingham. In the 19th minute, Skjelvik mishandled an interception inside the Galaxy box, giving Joaquín Ardaiz a clear path to goal with only Bingham to beat but the LA keeper was there once again to deny the chance.
Ibrahimovic, who was largely kept quiet by the ‘Caps backline in the first 45 minutes, would put his stamp on the match in the second frame. After missing a sitter off a rebound just after intermission, and getting a goal called back on an offside call shortly after, Ibrahimovic set up a wide-open Daniel Steres header with a cross from the right side in the 63rd minute. Then eight minutes later, Ibrahimovic chested down Rolf Feltscher’s entry pass and buried the insurance goal from centre.
Inbeom Hwang was resilient in the ‘Caps comeback attempt, while Lucas Venuto, Yordy Reyna, and Fredy Montero came off the bench to provide the boost. Vancouver would not be able to get past Bingham on the evening, however, as the Galaxy keeper collected five saves for the clean sheet.
Up next for Whitecaps FC is a road test with Chicago Fire at SeatGeek Stadium on Friday, April 12. Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m. PT live on TSN1/3/4 and TSN Radio 1040. They are back home on the following Wednesday, April 12 when they host early-season Supporters’ Shield frontrunner Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) at BC Place. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
WFC Man of the Match: Inbeom Hwang
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 22,120
Scoring Summary
63’ – LA – Daniel Steres (Zlatan Ibrahimovic)
71’ – LA – Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Rolf Feltscher)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 44.6% – LA 55.4%
Shots: VAN 14 – LA 15
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – LA 3
Saves: VAN 1 – LA 5
Fouls: VAN 12 – LA 10
Offsides: VAN 1 – LA 1
Corners: VAN 3 – LA 6
Duels won: VAN 43 – LA 52
Tackles won: VAN 3 – LA 1
Cautions
16’ – LA – Jonathan dos Santos
44’ – LA – Romain Alessandrini
86’ – VAN – Fredy Montero
90’ – VAN – Felipe Martins
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 22.Érik Godoy, 2.Doneil Henry, 53.Ali Adnan; 8.Felipe Martins, 6.Jon Erice © (12.Fredy Montero 74’), 31.Russell Teibert (29.Yordy Reyna 66‘); 19.Lass Bangoura (7.Lucas Venuto 59’), 9.Joaquín Ardaiz, 4.Inbeom Hwang
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 13.Derek Cornelius, 23.Scott Sutter, 94.Victor “PC” Giro
LA Galaxy
1.David Bingham; 25.Rolf Feltscher, 5.Daniel Steres, 4.Dave Romney, 16.Jørgen Skjelvik (15.Diedie Traore 88’); 8.Jonathan dos Santos, 14.Joe Corona; 7.Romain Alessandrini (12.Chris Pontius 82’), 17.Sebastian Lletget, 18.Uriel Antuna (24.Emmanuel Boateng 84’); 9.Zlatan Ibrahimovic ©
Substitutes not used
28.Matt Lampson, 6.Servando Carrasco, 22.Julian Araujo, 26.Efrain Alvarez
