‘Caps extend MLS unbeaten streak to six matches

AUSTIN, TX – Vancouver Whitecaps FC recorded a 0-0 draw against Western Conference side Austin FC at Q2 Stadium this Saturday evening. The result increased their unbeaten run in MLS action to six matches.

NOTES

• The six-match unbeaten streak is the club’s longest in MLS since a six-match unbeaten streak to end the 2021 regular season. The club record MLS unbeaten streak also came in 2021, when the ‘Caps went 10 matches without a defeat.
• Whitecaps FC have now kept three consecutive clean sheets and not allowed a goal in the last 320 minutes of MLS play. The club record shutout streak in MLS is 427 minutes set at the start of the 2012 season, which remains an MLS record to start a season.
• Whitecaps FC allowed their first shot on target in 243 minutes when Yohei Takaoka saved a shot from Emiliano Rigoni in the 13th minute.

The Blue & White found an opportunity in the 21st minute. Midfielder Ryan Gauld sent a quick ball to Julian Gressel on a counter, as his strong strike would be parried away by goalkeeper Brad Stuver.

As the half continued, forward Simon Becher would find himself intercepting the ball and in on goal at the top of the box, but Stuver would hold his ground in the 45th minute of the match.

After the halftime interval, Austin FC’s Emiliano Rigoni played a ball in from the left side of midfield to Diego Fagundez, as his attempt on target was then saved by goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka in the 50th minute.

With the second half progressing, another sequence was created by Gressel as his feed connected to Brian White in the final third. The striker cut inside the box and followed with an effort that was kept away once again by Stuver in the 60th minute of the match.

Moments later, the home side saw Daniel Pereira making a quick run in the midfield, which then struck a wicked shot that was met by a reactionary save from Takaoka in the 86th minute to keep the match even.

In the end, points would be shared as the ‘Caps now enter their bye week with momentum continuing to build.

The ‘Caps return home in two weeks time on Saturday, April 29 as they host Colorado Rapids at BC Place at 7:30 p.m. PT, followed by Minnesota United FC on Saturday, May 6. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Yohei Takaoka
Attendance: 20,738
Referee: Mark Allatin

Statistics
Possession: ATX 57 % – VAN 43%
Shots: ATX 18 – VAN 13
Shots on Goal: ATX 4 – VAN 4
Saves: ATX 7 – VAN 7
Fouls: ATX 9 – VAN 14
Offsides: ATX 2 – ATX 1
Corners: ATX 6 – ATX 2

Cautions
40’ – ATX – Sebastián Driussi
42’ – VAN – Brian White
45’ – VAN – Andrés Cubas
68’ – ATX – Nick Lima\

Austin FC
1.Brad Stuver; 17.Jon Gallagher, 8.Alexander Ring, 15.Leo Väisänen, 24.Nick Lima; 6.Daniel Pereira, 33.Owen Wolff (22.Sofiane Djeffal 84’); 7.Emiliano Rigoni (11.Rodney Redes 73’), 10.Sebastián Driussi, 14.Diego Fagundez (13.Ethan Finlay 55’); 37.Maximiliano Urruti (9.Gyasi Zardes 73’)

Substitutes not used
20.Matt Bersano, 5.Jhojan Valencia, 13.Ethan Finlay, 16.Hector Jimenez, 2.Adam Lundkvist, 29.Will Bruin

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 23.Javain Brown, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 14.Luís Martins; 19.Julian Gressel, 20.Andrés Cubas, 22.Ali Ahmed (16.Sebastian Berhalter 90’+5’); 24.Brian White, 25.Ryan Gauld © (11.Cristian Dájome 80’); 29.Simon Becher (45.Pedro Vite 69’)

Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 2.Mathías Laborda, 7.Déiber Caicedo, 12.Karifa Yao, 27.Ryan Raposo, 31.Russell Teibert