Caps Withstand Loons for Victory

Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2 Minnesota United

VANCOUVER, BC–Vancouver Whitecaps extended their league-unbeaten run to a record-tying eight in the MLS era despite seeing it’s shutout streak end at 443 minutes as they came out 3-2 winners over Minnesota United. The win puts Vancouver up into seventh in the Western Conference table, two points ahead of Minnesota in eighth and Portland (who drew 2-2 with Austin FC) in ninth.

The Whitecaps opened the scoring in the 17th minute after a takeaway by Andres Cubas who then fed to Ryan Gauld. Gauld then sent Brian White on his way in behind the Loons defense and scoring his 50th professional goal to go up 1-0.  The lead would last just 16 minutes, though, after Yohei Takaoka misplayed a Minnesota corner and Michael Boxall pounced to equalize ending Vancouver’s shutout streak.

In the 52nd minute, it was Minnesota’s turn to not handle a corner very well as they failed to clear lines and Brian White netted his second of the evening bundling the ball over the line past Dayne St. Clair. There was a collision between the two players in the lead up to the goal, but contact was deemed incidental.

White would later leave the match as a result of the collision and Simon Becher would take his place. Becher would make it 3-1 after Ryan Gauld picked up an errant backpass from Robin Lod to send Becher on his way.

Sang Bin Jeong would pull one back for the Loons to make it 3-2 in the 65th minute after being unmarked in the area. Mender Garcia had a breakaway opportunity six minute later, but Takakoa would make the save and the Whitecaps would hold on to the three points.

The Whitecaps begin their Canadian Championship title defense on Wednesday at York United of the Canadian Premier League at 4:30pm PT on ONE Soccer. The Caps’ next league match is at Portland on Saturday, May 13th, with a 7:30pm PT kickoff time on Apple TV.

Gerrit te Hennepe is our man taking the photos at BC Place. You can view a sample below and more by clicking on the link.