SAN DIEGO, CA – Facing the hometown San Diego Loyal SC, Vancouver Whitecaps FC continued their preseason preparations with a 1-0 win at Torero Stadium on Saturday night.
The Loyal SC supporters were out in full voice with drums banging, adding atmosphere to the preseason friendly.
Vanni Sartini's side were given an intense first half battle, with Cristian Dájome looking dangerous from his left wingback position and Pedro Vite active throughout in midfield.
In the 11th minute a shot from Dájome went wide of the post, and in the 22nd minute a shot from Vite was saved by the San Diego keeper to keep it scoreless.
Ryan Gauld then got a foot to a chance in the 27th, but also into the hands of the goalkeeper.
Brian White had a turn in the 29th minute deflected for a corner kick, which Ranko Veselinović was then able to get to but could not test the keeper.
San Diego had their best look in the 34th minute, putting the ball in the net only to see the play offside.
Later in the half, Vite had a great chance to open the scoring, getting a look on a rebound but his shot went wide.
Whitecaps FC continued in search of a goal in the second half, including a shot from Déiber Caicedo which was blocked.
Midway through the half, Cristián Gutiérrez - making his preseason debut - combined with Caicedo but fired wide.
With less than 10 minutes to go, substitute Giovanni Aguilar got in behind one-on-one with the goalkeeper but lobbed a shot just wide.
The 'Caps pressure finally broke through when a nice ball from Michael Baldisimo led to Gutiérrez sending in a ball that Aguilar put in for a 1-0 victory.
Whitecaps FC will be on the move to wrap up their California trip, facing LA Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, February 16 before returning to Vancouver. Then next Saturday, February 19 the club will host a Blue vs. White intersquad match at BC Place to prepare for the start of the season.
Scoring summary
83' – VAN – Giovanni Aguilar (Cristián Gutiérrez, Michael Baldisimo)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Thomas Hasal; 6.Tristan Blackmon (61.Matteo Campagna 61’), 4.Ranko Veselinović (22.Érik Godoy HT), 28.Jake Nerwinski (26.Florian Jungwirth HT); 16.Sebastian Berhalter (33.Michael Baldisimo 67’); 23.Javain Brown (3.Cristián Gutiérrez 61’), 17.Leonard Owusu (7.Déiber Caicedo HT), 45.Pedro Vite (66.Giovanni Aguilar 67’), 11.Cristian Dájome (51.Ali Ahmed 67’); 24.Brian White (87.Tosaint Ricketts 61’) (52.Vasco Fry 74'), 25.Ryan Gauld (27.Ryan Raposo 67’)
Substitutes not used
60.Isaac Boehmer
