VANCOUVER, BC – Whitecaps FC 2 battled Western Conference leaders Colorado Rapids 2 to a 1-1 draw on Saturday at BC Place, with Colorado gaining the extra point in a tight 4-3 penalty shootout victory. The match marked the first time the young 'Caps played a home match at BC Place in their MLS NEXT Pro history.
It was a tense start to the match, with both teams vying for control in the midfield. WFC2 were resilient in their defense, repelling Colorado’s attack in the early stages. Isaac Boehmer came up with a stellar save on Rapids 2 captain Olivier Larraz, saving his point-blank shot for a corner in the 27th minute.
The young 'Caps then grew into the game, and it was Mihail Gherasimencov who broke the deadlock in the 37th minute. His cross fooled everyone by looping over Rapids 2 keeper Adam Beaudry and into the back of the net. The young 'Caps then held on for the rest of the half to go into the break with the lead.
Whitecaps FC 2 started the second half brightly, getting chances through Antoine Coupland and Gloire Amanda. However, Colorado got some confidence back and put the pressure on WFC2. Their persistence paid off in the 69th minute as Rémi Cabral equalized through a tap-in after a good save by Boehmer on Yosuke Hanya.
Both teams would continue to fight across the 90 minutes, with Boehmer making some remarkable saves throughout the second half. At the death, Coupland had a brilliant chance to win the game but looked to get fouled by Beaudry in the penalty box before getting a shot off. The referee waved away the call and blew the final whistle for the game to be decided by a shootout.
Despite Boehmer’s heroics throughout the game, Marlon Vargas scored the final penalty to win the extra point for Colorado.
Whitecaps FC 2 are back at BC Place next Saturday, July 15 against Portland Timbers 2. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT and available to watch on Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Amer Ramic (Iwan-Nikita Jecanski 62’)
Scoring Summary
38’ – VAN – Mihail Gherasimencov (Christian Greco-Taylor)
69’ – COL – Remi Cabral
Statistics
Possession: VAN 39.4% - COL 60.6%
Shots: VAN 10 - COL 24
Shots on Goal: VAN 3 - COL 10
Saves: VAN 9 - COL 2
Fouls: VAN 14 - COL 6
Offsides: VAN 1 - COL 2
Corners: VAN 2 - COL 13
Cautions
71’ – COL – Marlon Vargas
90’ – VAN – Elage Bah
Whitecaps FC 2
32.Isaac Boehmer; 57.Elage Bah, 61.Matteo Campagna, 83.Finn Linder, 54.Mihail Gherasimencov; 30.Kamron Habibullah, 66.Giovanni Aguilar ©, 84.Christian Greco-Taylor (41.Malcolm Johnston 89’); 43.Antoine Coupland, 42.Lowell Wright (76.Joe Hanson 81’), 44.Gloire Amanda (47.Amir Ghasemi 73’)
Substitutes not used
50.Max Anchor, 46.Darko Ilić, 56.Lucas Dasovic, 58.Amoni Thomas, 76.Joe Hanson, 95.Joshué Ndakala
Colorado Rapids 2
51.Adam Beaudry; 27.Sebastian Anderson, 34.Michael Edwards, 46.Blake Malone, 31.Anthony Markanich (99.Jackson Travis 85’); 18.Oliver Larraz ©, 40.Robinson Aguirre (44.Caique de Brito 85’), 56.Connor Miller; 47.Yosuke Hanya, 39.Marlon Vargas, 71.Dillon Serna (49.Rémi Cabral 62’)
Substitutes not used
48.Logan Batiste, 50.Cain Castellon, 54.Daniel Garcia, 81.Leonardo Medina
