- Whitecaps FC welcomed a crowd of over 20,000 fans to BC Place for the 23rd consecutive MLS match
- Emmanuel Sabbi scored his fifth goal of the season across all competitions, and eighth goal contribution (5G, 3A)
VANCOUVER, BC – In a battle of two of the top sides in the Western Conference, Vancouver Whitecaps FC came out strong, but ultimately fell to a 3-1 defeat to St. Louis CITY SC.
Emmanuel Sabbi opened the scoring before St. Louis responded via a three-goal first half.
Despite the loss, Whitecaps FC (13W-4D-5L, 43 pts) remain at the top of the Western Conference table. St. Louis City (10W-6D-7L, 37 pts) notched their first-ever victory in BC Place during their longest-ever unbeaten streak.
Less than two minutes in, the BC Place faithful joyfully erupted after Sabbi took full advantage of a turnover. The 28-year-old right winger put his head down to powerfully drive in a 20-yard curler past St. Louis goalkeeper Roman Bürki for 1-0 on the first shot on target.
Five minutes later, German legend Thomas Müller deftly set up Sabbi, who came two feet from a brace. A graceful stutter-step later, he dragged a low effort wide of the woodwork.
At the other end, Whitecaps FC ’keeper Yohei Takaoka’s cat-like reflexes slammed the door shut. City’s Edelman through ball deflected off a boot to arc over the Blue and White’s back line, where striker Simon Becher went one-on-one with Takaoka. In a nerve-wracking challenge, Takaoka bravely kicked out Becher’s powerful drive.
However, Becher would eventually find the back of the net. Off a three-way passing play, he buried a point-blank chance for the 1-1 equalizer in the 23rd minute.
Right back Mihail Gherasimencov responded as he came close to a miraculous strike. He launched a 35-yard screamer that looked headed for glory – until a Bürki airborne denial.
Late in the first half, St. Louis again connected on a trio of passes. Conrad Wallem sent the ball down low to Daniel Edelman, who flashed across goal for Tomas Totland, who slotted home past a sprawled Takaoka.
On the eve of halftime, Totland turned set-up man to Wallem. City took a 3-1 lead into the break.
After play resumed, substitute Cheikh Sabaly appeared to be tripped up a yard into the area by Totland. Referee Michael Venne waved ‘No’ to the penalty appeal.
Three-quarters of an hour in, Venne did point to the spot after an apparent Wallem handball deep in the area. A VAR review led to an overturned call – no penalty kick for the Blue and White.
In the 82nd minute, Whitecaps FC manager Jesper Sørensen sent on newly signed Yadaly Diaby for his MLS and Whitecaps FC debut. Diaby, 26, a Guinea international, was acquired via transfer from French Ligue 2 side Grenoble Foot 38.
The 'Caps pushed and pushed, but could not find a goal as the visitors took the victory.
Next up, the Blue and White will host Los Angeles Galaxy this coming Wednesday, September 9 at BC Place, with a 7:30 p.m. PT kickoff. To secure your seats, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Michael Venne
Attendance: 22,320
Scoring Summary
2’ – VAN – Emmanuel Sabbi
23’ – STL – Simon Becher (Alexandru Mățan, Carlo Holse)
41’ – STL – Tomas Totland (Daniel Edelman, Conrad Wallem)
45’ – STL – Conard Wallem (Tomas Totland, Alexandru Mățan)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 50.3% – STL 49.7%
Shots: VAN 13 – STL 11
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 – STL 6
Saves: VAN 3 – STL 2
Fouls: VAN 18 – STL 18
Offsides: VAN 0 – STL 2
Corners: VAN 6 – STL 2
Cautions
26’ – VAN – Thomas Müller
36’ – STL – Conrad Wallem
49’ – VAN – Mathías Laborda
50’ – VAN – Emmanuel Sabbi
71’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld
84’ – STL – Chris Durkin
90+3’ – STL – Fallou Fall
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 29.Mihail Gherasimencov (7.Cheikh Sabaly HT), 2.Mathías Laborda, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 28.Tate Johnson; 59.Jeevan Badwal (8.Oliver Larraz HT), 20.Andrés Cubas (77.Yadaly Diaby 82’); 11.Emmanuel Sabbi (25.Ryan Gauld 59’), 13.Thomas Müller ©, 14.Bruno Caicedo; 19.Rayan Elloumi (24.Brian White HT)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 23.Aleksa Cvetković, 70.Rui Modesto
St. Louis CITY SC
1.Roman Bürki ; 5.Lukas MacNaughton, 32.Timo Baumgartl, 21.Dante Polvara; 6.Conrad Wallem, 24.Daniel Edelman, 8.Chris Durkin (27.Fallou Fall 90+1’), 14.Tomas Totland (42.Damion Downs 90+1’); 19.Carlo Holse (9.Rafael Navarro 61’), 11.Simon Becher (77.Jeong Sang-bin 80’), 23.Alexandru Mățan
Substitutes not used
39.Ben Lundt, 4.Mamadou Fall, 20.Rafael Santos, 28.Miguel Perez, 59.Mykhi Joyner