- Whitecaps FC welcomed a crowd of over 20,000 fans to BC Place for the 25th consecutive MLS match, and the ninth crowd of the season over 23,000
- Brian White scored his team-leading 16th goal of the season across all competitions this season, and 20th goal contribution (16G, 4A). White now has 95 goals in his VWFC career
- Ryan Gauld recorded his second assist of the season across all competitions, and sixth goal contribution (4G, 2A)
- Andrés Cubas recorded his career-high fifth MLS assist of the season (5A)
- Right back Rui Modesto made his Whitecaps FC and MLS debut
VANCOUVER, BC – In front of a passionate and energetic BC Place crowd, the soccer gods were not on the side of Vancouver Whitecaps FC as they fell 2-1 to visiting Austin FC.
Verde and Black striker Christian Ramírez collected a brace to lead Austin FC’s first-ever win at BC Place, while Blue and White striker Brian White provided the 'Caps goal.
With the defeat, Whitecaps FC (14W-4D-6L, 46 points) still sit at the top of the Western Conference table.
Among three changes to the starting XI, Whitecaps FC manager Jesper Sørensen welcomed a new face at right back. Rui Modesto made both his MLS and club debut after joining this summer via transfer from Italian Serie A side Udinese.
Early on, Blue and White captain Ryan Gauld surged through open space before slipping a ball ahead for White, who tested Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver.
A high-octane offence led to defensive midfielder Andrés Cubas playing a one-two with Gauld – the return pass put Cubas deep in the area, but Austin FC right back Mikkel Desler slid in to block.
The North Texans opened their account in the 28th minute. A Facundo Torres curling cross dipped into the path of Ramírez. He clinically finished past Whitecaps FC ’keeper Yohei Takaoka for 1-0.
The Blue and White’s outstanding work ethic almost paid off in the first half. Gauld was brought down inside the box by Austin FC midfielder Besard Šabović.
Referee Victor Rivas pointed to the spot but Gauld hammered the ball off the crossbar.
After play resumed after halftime, Cubas played ahead for Gauld. His quick ball forward met the oncoming White. The striker calmly slotted in at the far post for the equalizer.
It was his 15th MLS goal this season, moving him four back of MLS Golden Boot leader Lionel Messi.
On the next rush, White frantically dribbled between two defenders before laying off for Gauld – who smashed off the crossbar again.
Austin FC retook the lead through a Ramírez brace. From 15 yards out, he cracked to the top corner over an outstretched Takaoka.
A series of hard tackles eventually saw Austin FC left back Guilherme Biro ejected for a second yellow card due to delaying the restart – and subsequent red on the eve of six minutes of added time.
The ’Caps strung a trio of chances together – substitute Rayan Elloumi’s glancing header soared skyward out of danger, before Yadaly Diaby forced a Stuver flying parry. Mathias Laborda also went airborne to nod barely over the woodwork. But it was not to be on this day for the Western Conference leaders.
Next up, the Blue and White return to their quest for hi5story – a fifth straight Voyageurs Cup title in the TELUS Canadian Championship. After a 1-1 draw at home in the first leg of their semifinal with CF Montréal, Whitecaps FC head east for the away leg at Stade Saputo this coming Wednesday, September 16 at 4 p.m. PT. Cheer on the ’Caps by watching on OneSoccer, TSN, FuboTV Canada, or TELUS channel 980.
Whitecaps FC will then stay on the road with an MLS regular season clash at Real Salt Lake on Saturday, September 19 at 6:30 p.m. PT. Fans can watch this match on Apple TV or TSN, or listen on 730 CKNW. Check out the ’Caps & Taps list to find the nearest bar showing the match.
The Blue and White come home to host D.C. United on Saturday, September 26 at 7:30 p.m. PT. To secure your seats, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Victor Rivas
Attendance: 23,855
\\Scoring Summary
\\28’ – ATX – Christian Ramírez (Facundo Torres, Jon Gallagher)
49’ – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Gauld, Andrés Cubas)
60’ – ATX – Christian Ramírez (Joseph Rosales, Ervin Torres)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 58.8% – ATX 41.2%
Shots: VAN 19 – ATX 4
Shots on Goal: VAN 6 – ATX 2
Saves: VAN 0 – ATX 5
Fouls: VAN 16 – ATX 14
Offsides: VAN 2 – ATX 1
Corners: VAN 6 – ATX 0
\\Cautions
\\35’ – ATX – Jon Bell
37’ – ATX – Joseph Rosales
45+3’ – VAN – Oliver Larraz
47’ – ATX – Guilherme Biro
80’ – VAN – Emmanuel Sabbi
90’ – ATX – Guilherme Biro
90+3’ – ATX – Besard Šabović
\\Ejection
\\90’ – ATX – Guilherme Biro
\\Vancouver Whitecaps FC
\\1.Yohei Takaoka; 70.Rui Modesto (18.Édier Ocampo HT), 2.Mathías Laborda, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 28.Tate Johnson; 8.Oliver Larraz (59.Jeevan Badwal 64’), 20.Andrés Cubas (19.Rayan Elloumi 84’); 7.Cheikh Sabaly (77.Yadaly Diaby 71’), 25.Ryan Gauld ©, 14.Bruno Caicedo (11.Emmanuel Sabbi 64’); 24.Brian White
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 23.Aleksa Cvetković, 29.Mihail Gherasimencov
\\Austin FC
\\1.Brad Stuver; 3.Mikkel Desler (4.Brendan Hines-Ike 85’), 15.Jon Bell (5.Oleksandr Svatok 58’), 29.Guilherme Biro; 11.Facundo Torres, 38.Ervin Torres, 14.Besard Šabović, 24.Jorge Alastuey (9.Brandon Vázquez 65’); 30.Joseph Rosales (23.Žan Kolmanič 65’), 21.Christian Ramírez (77.Przemysław Płacheta 85’), 17.Jon Gallagher
Substitutes not used
12.Damian Las, 6.Ilie Sánchez, 32.Micah Burton, 35.Mateja Djordjević