VANCOUVER, BC – Major League Soccer announced on Thursday that Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender MathÃas Laborda and attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld were named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for Matchday 33 following their performance in the club's convincing 4-1 home victory over San Diego FC. The ‘Caps remain atop the Western Conference with a four point lead and only two matches remaining in the regular season.
Early in the match, Laborda made a timely goal-line headed clearance to deny San Diego an early lead. The Uruguayan centre back then made an impact at the other end, combining with Gauld to set up Aleksa Cvetković for his first Whitecaps FC goal. Laborda finished with 13 defensive contributions, including four tackles, four clearances, three blocks, and two interceptions, while winning all six of his duels. This marks his third MLS Team of the Matchday selection of the season (Matchday 4, Matchday 11).
Along with assisting on Cvetković’s goal, Gauld added a second-half goal of his own, created three chances, won nine duels, and recorded seven tackles. This is the captain's second MLS Team of the Matchday selection this season (Matchday 25).
Whitecaps FC have had a continuous presence for on the MLS Team of the Matchday this season. In addition to Laborda and Gauld, goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka (Matchday 25), defenders Tristan Blackmon (Matchday 3), and Édier Ocampo (Matchday 22), midfielder Oliver Larraz (Matchday 29), attacking midfielder Thomas Müller (Matchday 2, Matchday 15, Matchday 19, Matchday 20, Matchday 23, Matchday 28), forwards Yadaly Diaby (Matchday 27, Matchday 31), Emmanuel Sabbi (Matchday 8), Brian White (Matchday 3, Matchday 4, Matchday 7, Matchday 10, Matchday 15, Matchday 22), head coach Jesper Sørensen (Matchday 3, Matchday 15), as well as former midfielder Sebastian Berhalter (Matchday 1, Matchday 3, Matchday 4, Matchday 6, Matchday 12, Matchday 13) have all earned selections this year.
MLS Team of the Matchday 31
F:Â Kristoffer Velde (POR), Dor Turgeman (NE), Liel Abada (CLT)
M:Â Antoine Griezmann (ORL), Ryan Gauld (VAN), Santiago RodrÃguez (CLB), Carles Gil (NE)
D:Â Anthony Markanich (MIN), Lucas Halter (HOU), MathÃas Laborda (VAN)
GK:Â Patrick Schulte (CLB)
Coach:Â Dean Smith (CLT)
Bench:Â Jonathan Bond (HOU), Maxwell Woledzi (NSH), Samuel Gidi (CIN), Jack Jasinski (SJ), Jonathan Bamba (CHI), David Da Costa (POR), Morgan Guilavogui (RSL), Josh Sargent (TOR), Idan Toklomati (CLT)