Cavallini goal not enough as ‘Caps suffer rare home defeat
VANCOUVER, BC: Vancouver Whitecaps FC recorded a 3-1 loss against Western Conference rivals Minnesota United FC this Friday evening at BC Place. The result snapped an eight-match home unbeaten steak for the ‘Caps in all competitions.
The first half started with midfielder Pedro Vite’s dribble move successfully faking out a defender, with his cross in the box finding Cristian Dájome. However the Colombian’s first touch on the ball was then comfortably held by Dayne St. Clair in the 14th minute.
Minnesota looked to push on with a short stint of their own in the final third, as ‘Caps goalkeeper Cody Cropper strongly parried away a Wil Trapp strike from distance after his team answered back with some momentum in the late stages of the first half.
The second half started with the Blue & White looking to find their spark. Dájome dribbled past the Minnesota defence, leading to a cross finding substitute Ryan Raposo on the far side of the box, who volleyed a strike just over the cage in the 54th minute.
As the ‘Caps continued to push on in the second half, an opportunity in the final third was created from Raposo. The wingback’s short pass found Vite within the area, which led to a cross for Canadian international Lucas Cavallini to head in the first goal of the match in the 66th minute.
Moments later, the Loons would answer with one of their own off a quick counter attack in the 71st minute, as Emanuel Reynoso’s footwork led to the midfielder feeding a ball to DJ Taylor. The fullback’s cross then found Kemar Lawrence inside the box, who levelled the match one apiece.
The away side later on found another opportunity, as Jacori Hayes won the ball back in the final third and sprung forward Luis Amarilla, who’s right footed strike found the back of the net in the 84th minute, giving his squad a 2-1 lead.
As the late stages of the second half progressed, goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair’s long ball found Franco Fragapane in the final third, with the winger tucking home his squad’s third goal of the match in the 88th minute.
Next up for the ‘Caps is a road match against Eastern Conference side FC Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 13 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. PT. You can catch all the action live on TSN and AM730.
The ‘Caps are next at BC Place on Saturday, July 23 for the club’s annual Pride Match against Chicago Fire FC. Following that match they will host the 2022 Canadian Championship Final against Toronto FC on Tuesday, July 26. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Pedro Vite
Attendance: 14,201
Referee: Alex Chilowicz
Scoring Summary
66’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini (Pedro Vite, Ryan Raposo)
71’ – MIN – Kemar Lawrence (DJ Taylor, Emanuel Reynoso)
84’ – MIN – Luis Amarilla (Jacori Hayes)
88’ – MIN – Franco Fragapane (Dayne St. Clair)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 48% – MIN 52%
Shots: VAN 10 – MIN 14
Shots on Goal: VAN 2 – MIN 5
Saves: VAN 2 – MIN 1
Fouls: VAN 8 – MIN 8
Offsides: VAN 0 – MIN 0
Corners: VAN 7 – MIN 8
Cautions
24’ – MIN – Robin Lod
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
55.Cody Cropper; 23.Javain Brown, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski; 2.Marcus Godinho (27.Ryan Raposo 53’), 31.Russell Teibert, 20.Andrés Cubas (17.Leonard Owusu HT), 11.Cristian Dájome (6.Tristan Blackmon 82’); 25.Ryan Gauld, 45.Pedro Vite (87.Tosaint Ricketts 82’); 24.Brian White (9.Lucas Cavallini 63’)
Substitutes not used
60.Isaac Boehmer, 22.Érik Godoy, 26.Florian Jungwirth, 44.Chris Lee
Minnesota United FC
97.Dayne St. Clair; 27.DJ Taylor, 15.Michael Boxall, 12.Bakaye Dibassy, 92.Kemar Lawrence (91.Oniel Fisher 82’); 20.Wil Trapp, 17.Robin Lod (5.Jacori Hayes 68’); 21.Bongokuhle Hlongwane, 10.Emanuel Reynoso (14.Brent Kallman 86’); 7.Franco Fragapane; 9.Luis Amarilla
Substitutes not used
1.Tyler Miller, 4.Callum Montgomery, 13.Eric Dick, 18.Abu Danladi, 24.Justin McMaster