Resilient ‘Caps suffer 2-1 defeat against Real Salt Lake

• Ryan Gauld and Brian White sit in a tie for connecting on the most goals in MLS among active teammates since 2021 with 14
• Brian White tied his career-high for MLS goals in a season with 12. He now sits at 16 across all competitions this season, extending his career-high scoring season and his lead as the top American goalscorer in MLS
• Ryan Gauld continues to lead MLS in goal contributions since May 31 (19 – 10 goals, nine assists). Across all competitions, he now has 22 (11 goals and 11 assists) in his past 17 appearances
• Ryan Gauld is nearing the 25 goals + 25 assists mark in MLS play, he currently has 22 goals and 25 assists. If reaches that milestone, he’ll become the first Whitecaps FC player to hit that mark

SANDY, UT – Despite a resilient effort, Vancouver Whitecaps FC pushed hard but came up just short as they fell to a 2-1 loss to Real Salt Lake at America First Field in Sandy, Utah.

2024 Season Memberships for the 50th Anniversary season are on-sale now at whitecapsfc.com

The ‘Caps started the match strong, withstanding the early pressure from RSL in the opening moments. Despite the pressure, it would be the ‘Caps who would go ahead early. A Ryan Gauld cross off a corner kick found an unmarked Brian White in the box, who would not miss and put a bullet header past Salt Lake goalkeeper Zac MacMath to put the ‘Caps ahead.

Yohei Takaoka kept the ‘Caps ahead with some smart saves late in the half. He would deny great opportunities from both Chicho Arango and Carlos Gomez with five minutes left to go, but it would be the Blue and White who would lead going into the break.

In the second half, Real Salt Lake would equalize quickly from the restart. A thunderous long-range free-kick by Brayan Vera squeaked past Takaoka at his near post to level the affair.

Whitecaps FC would come close to retaking the lead off another fantastic pass from Gauld on the left to Ryan Raposo just a few minutes later. Raposo would try to sneak his effort in from a narrow angle but MacMath would be level to it.

However, it would be Real Salt Lake who would strike next after a clever cross by Andrés Gómez was met by Justen Glad, who rose above the rest and headed it past Takaoka to give the home side the lead.

RSL would nearly double their lead less than 10 minutes later, through Chicho Arango. The Colombian striker unleashed a shot to Takaoka’s near post, forcing a snap save from the Japanese ‘keeper.

Gauld was close to equalizing with 10 minutes to go, with his menacing volley off a dangerous cross inside the box climbing high and narrowly wide of the goal.

Not two minutes later, the ‘Caps would come agonizingly close to equalizing again, as another White header would be denied on the goal line with a fantastic save by MacMath.

With the ‘Caps still trailing, Takaoka would come up big once again, denying Anderson Julio from doubling RSL’s lead with less than five minutes of regulation time left.

Simon Becher was inches away from equalizing for Vancouver in the last minute of regular time, with his volley inside the box going narrowly wide.

A final throw of the dice through Gauld would come as close as the ‘Caps could get to salvaging a point. The Scotsman’s volley was struck true and hit off an RSL defender, but after a lengthy VAR check on a potential handball, the ref waved the call away and blew for full-time.

Whitecaps FC wrap up their club-record seven-match road stretch on Wednesday, September 27th against Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. PT. You can catch the match live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV, TSN, and AM730. The ‘Caps next home match is against D.C United on September 30th. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld
Referee: Malik Badawi

Scoring Summary
17’ – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Gauld)
47’ – RSL – Brayan Vera
65’ – RSL – Justen Glad (Andrés Gómez)

Statistics
Possession: RSL 46% – VAN 54%
Shots: RSL 15 – VAN 9
Shots on Goal: RSL 9 – VAN 2
Saves: RSL 1 – VAN 7
Fouls: RSL 14 – VAN 9
Offsides: RSL 2 – VAN 0
Corners: RSL 9 – VAN 3

Caution
74’ – RSL – Andrew Brody
82’ – RSL – Nelson Palacio
90’+4 – RSL – Brayan Vera
90’+12 – VAN – Sam Adekugbe

Real Salt Lake
18.Zac MacMath; 25.Emeka Eneli, 15.Justen Glad, 4.Brayan Vera, 3.Bryan Oviedo (2.Andrew Brody 68’); 11.Andrés Gómez, 13.Nelson Palacio, 28.Jasper Löffelsend (6.Braian Ojeda 31’), 26.Diego Luna (14.Rubio Rubín 85’); 9.Cristian Arango (19.Bode Hidalgo 85’), 17.Danny Musovski (29.Anderson Julio 68’)

Substitutes not used
35.Gavin Beavers, 8.Damir Kreilach, 16.Maikel Chang, 31.Kevon Lambert

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 23.Javain Brown (29.Simon Becher 78’), 4.Ranko Veselinović, 6.Tristan Blackmon; 20.Andrés Cubas; 7.Richie Laryea, 8.Alessandro Schöpf (22.Ali Ahmed 69’), 45.Pedro Vite (11.Junior Hoilett 62’), 27.Ryan Raposo (3.Sam Adekugbe 70’); 24.Brian White, 25.Ryan Gauld

Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 2.Mathías Laborda, 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 26.J.C. Ngando, 31.Russell Teibert