VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld, defender Mathías Laborda, and goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka have been named to the MLS Team of the Matchday following their performances in the club's 3-1 away victory over Minnesota United FC on Matchday 24.
Gauld recorded three assists on the night for the first time in his Whitecaps FC career, becoming the first 'Caps player to record three helpers in one game since Inbeom Hwang did on September 29, 2019. Gauld's performance marked the 16th time he's tallied multiple goal contributions in one game during his Whitecaps FC career. In addition, the Scotsman has now recorded 16 goal contributions in his last 17 MLS appearances, with 10 of those coming in the last eight matches.
Laborda scored the eventual gamewinner in the 17th minute, as he headed in his second goal of the season to double the 'Caps early advantage. The Uruguayan defender was also a key piece in keeping Minnesota out of the match, as he recorded 10 successful duels, four clearances, two tackles, two interceptions, and two recoveries. This is the first time Laborda has been named to MLS' Team of the Matchday.
Lastly, Takaoka came up big for the Blue and White in the 30th minute as he denied Joseph Rosales' penalty kick attempt with a strong save to his right to keep Minnesota out of reach. The save marked the second time Takaoka has made a penalty kick save in MLS regular season play, with the first coming against Colorado Rapids in April 2023.
This is the seventh time Gauld has been named to the squad (Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 17, Matchday 18, Matchday 20) and the second time Takaoka has been selected this season (Matchday 8). Laborda becomes the eighth different 'Caps player to be named to the Team of the Matchday, joining forward Brian White (Matchday 5, Matchday 11, Matchday 23) forward Fafà Picault (Matchday 7), midfielder Alessandro Schöpf (Matchday 8), wingback Ali Ahmed (Matchday 4), and defender Ranko Veselinović (Matchday 8).
F: Giacomo Vrioni (NE), Hugo Cuypers (CHI), Alonso Martínez (NYC)
M: Ryan Gauld (VAN), Benjamin Cremaschi (MIA), Pavel Bucha (CIN), Djordje Mihailovic (COL)
D: Sergi Palencia (LAFC), Nkosi Tafari (DAL), Mathías Laborda (VAN)
GK: Aljaž Ivačič (NE)
Coach: Steve Cherundolo (LAFC)
Bench: Yohei Takaoka (VAN), Indiana Vassilev (STL), Julian Gressel (MIA), Martín Ojeda (ORL), Maren Haile-Selassie (CHI), Hannes Wolf (NYC), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Andrés Gómez (RSL), Diego Rossi (CLB)
The 'Caps continue their four-game road stretch with a Canadian clash against CF Montréal on Saturday, July 6 at Stade Saputo in Montréal, Québec. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. PT.
The Blue and White return to BC Place for their '80s Match against Sporting Kansas City on Wednesday, July 17. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at www.whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
