SANDY, UT – Déiber Caicedo and Cristian Dájome each scored impressive second-half goals to lead Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 2-1 victory over LA Galaxy on Saturday night at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Fielding their youngest roster of the season, the ‘Caps ended their eight-match winless streak with a comeback win and made amends for their last-second loss to LA a month prior.
Early goals were a theme in this contest, as the Galaxy scored in the fifth minute of the game, while the 'Caps answered less than five minutes into the second half.
LA Galaxy took the early 1-0 lead through a Rayan Raveloson header – it was the Madagascar international’s second goal for the Galaxy in only his third appearance with the club. LA looked to have doubled their lead in the 26th minute through Ethan Zubak, but VAR took the goal away on an offside call.
The Galaxy generally controlled the game in the first half, but the ‘Caps still found some openings. Dájome and Caicedo each saw solid efforts carry just wide of goal, while LA could convert no further chances.
The second half saw a total script flip, as Whitecaps FC evolved into the match’s dominant side. The team played with an electric urgency that had eluded them in the first 45 minutes, and they were rewarded quickly.
In the 48th minute, Javain Brown delivered a dangerous cross into the LA box. Galaxy keeper Jonathan Bond did well to get hands on the ball, but his deflection sent the ball into the turf, up in the air, and then immediately into Caicedo’s wheelhouse, where the winger cashed in with a slick, driven volley.
Further inspired play yielded a deadlock breaker in the 77th minute. Brian White and Dájome seemed telepathically linked as they patiently passed the ball back and forth in the Galaxy box, the latter finally converting once Bond and his defenders had been fully drawn out of position.
Once the ‘Caps took the lead, the Galaxy could find little offensive rhythm, and the home team remained comfortable until the final whistle.
Whitecaps FC will look to quickly recharge and win their second in a row on Tuesday, when they host Houston Dynamo FC at Rio Tinto Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. PT, live on TSN and AM 730 radio.
Stay tuned to whitecapsfc.com for the latest news and updates.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Cristian Dájome
Referee: Ismir Pekmic
Scoring Summary
5' - LA - Rayan Raveloson (Víctor Vázquez, Samuel Grandsir)
48' - VAN - Déiber Caicedo
77' - VAN - Cristian Dájome (Brian White)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 49.8 – LA 50.2
Shots: VAN 11 – LA 9
Shots on Goal: VAN 4 – LA 2
Saves: VAN 1 – LA 2
Fouls: VAN 11 – LA 8
Offsides: VAN 5 – LA 2
Corners: VAN 4 – LA 1
Cautions
62' - LA - Derrick Williams
69' - VAN - Michael Baldisimo
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 23.Javain Brown, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 22.Érik Godoy, 3.Cristian Gutierrez; 19.Janio Bikel, 55.Michael Baldisimo (8.Caio Alexandre 71'), 31.Russell Teibert ©; 11.Cristian Dájome, 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 90'+1), 7.Déiber Caicedo (27.Ryan Raposo 90'+2)
Substitutes not used
12.Evan Newton, 14.Theo Bair, 15.Andy Rose, 17.Leonard Owusu, 28.Jake Nerwinski, 32.Patrick Metcalfe
LA Galaxy
1.Jonathan Bond; 2.Julian Araujo, 20.Nicholas DePuy, 3.Derrick Williams, 19.Jorge Villafaña; 7.Víctor Vázquez, 6.Rayan Raveloson (43.Adam Saldaña 70'), 16.Sacha Kljestan © (5.Daniel Steres, 82'); 11.Samuel Grandsir, 29.Ethan Zubak (48.Augustine Williams 71'), 9.Kevin Cabral
Substitutes not used
33.Jonathan Klinsmann, 24.Danilo Acosta, 25.Cameron Dunbar, 37.Daniel Aguirre, 56.Jonathan Perez
