MARBELLA, MÁLAGA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up their preseason schedule on Sunday afternoon with a 2-1 loss to Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna at the Marbella Football Center.
Vancouver fell behind early as Brommapojkarna scored in the third and 15th minute to take a two-goal lead. In between their strikes, Brian White nearly responded immediately after the opener, but the Brommapojkarna goalkeeper made a strong save.
Despite the early deficit, the ’Caps grew into the game. Andrés Cubas saw a deflected shot go out for a corner in the 16th minute, and Thomas Müller’s dangerous cross found Kenji Cabrera at the near post, though his header was saved.
Vancouver controlled possession in the middle portion of the half and created multiple chances. Brommapojkarna hit the post in the 24th minute, while Sebastian Berhalter remained a threat on set pieces. In the 33rd and 39th minute, Yohei Takaoka made two key saves to keep the scoreline within reach.
The breakthrough came in the 40th minute when Müller delivered a cross that took a fortunate deflection over the goalkeeper and into the net, pulling the ’Caps within one heading into halftime.
The second half began with the same XI, and Vancouver pushed for an equalizer. Édier Ocampo cleared a goal-line threat in the 58th minute, and the ’Caps came close moments later as Johnny Selemani was denied by the keeper before two follow-up attempts were blocked. Ocampo delivered another dangerous cross in the 67th minute to Selemani, but his header drifted wide.
Berhalter continued to threaten from set pieces late on, and in the 84th minute his free kick found Blackmon once more, but the defender’s header was saved for a corner amid handball appeals.
Despite sustained pressure, the 'Caps could not find a second goal, and the match ended 2-1 in favour of IF Brommapojkarna, concluding Vancouver’s preseason in Marbella.
Whitecaps FC will arrive back in Vancouver on Wednesday, February 11, ahead of their Concacaf Champions Cup Round One clash with Costa Rican Primera División side C.S. Cartaginés. The first leg will be played in Costa Rica on Wednesday, February 18. The ‘Caps will then turn their attention to their MLS season opener on Saturday, February 21, when they face Western Conference rivals Real Salt Lake.
Important Dates
February 10: Depart Málaga, Spain
February 11: Arrive in Vancouver, BC
February 14: Depart Vancouver, BC for Houston Texas
February 16: Depart Houston, Texas for San José, Costa Rica
February 18: Concacaf Champions Cup Round One, First Leg at C.S. Cartaginés at Estadio Fello Meza
February 19: Depart San José, Costa Rica for Vancouver, BC
February 21: MLS season opener vs. Real Salt Lake at BC Place
February 25: Concacaf Champions Cup Round One, Second Leg vs. C.S. Cartaginés at BC Place
Scoring Summary
3’ - BP - Goal
15’ - BP - Goal
40’ - VAN - Own goal
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 18.Édier Ocampo, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 6.Ralph Priso, 28.Tate Johnson; 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 20.Andrés Cubas; 63.Johnny Selemani^ (82.Daniel Ittycheria^ 86'), 13.Thomas Müller (c), 17.Kenji Cabrera (42.Nelson Pierre 79’); 24.Brian White (55.Cyprian Kachwele^ 79’)
^ WFC 2