VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 2 – SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC 0: ‘Caps blank Cascadia Cup rivals in statement win

VANCOUVER – Vancouver Whitecaps FC put the league on notice with a statement 2-0 win over Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place on Saturday evening.

  • Whitecaps FC move back into a tie for first place in the Cascadia Cup standings with Portland Timbers on six points.
  • Whitecaps FC have not lost to Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place since 2018.
  • The ‘Caps kept their sixth clean sheet of the season in all competitions, and fifth in MLS play.
  • Pedro Vite scored for a second consecutive match, and his third goal in all competitions.
  • Whitecaps FC are back in action on Wednesday, traveling to face Pacific FC in the semifinals of the Canadian Championship at 7 p.m. PT.

Ryan Gauld was a man on fire, and had the best early opportunity for the ‘Caps in the 27th minute. Intricate passing from Brian White and Sebastian Berhalter sprung Gauld into the box, before his shot flew just wide of the far post.

While Seattle looked threatening early on, the majority of the half was all Whitecaps FC, and the home side earned their reward just before the break. Ali Ahmed, who slice through Sounders FC all night long, sent a cross into the box for Pedro Vite. The Ecuadorian looked like his chance may have gone, but he stuck with it before poking in the opening goal to make it 1-0.

The second half saw more of the same, as Whitecaps FC were in full control.

A superb performance for Gauld was capped when Luís Martins drove the ball down the left flank, and centred a pass for the Scotsman to fire on net. After hitting the post, the ball ricocheted off of Stefan Frei and into the back of the net to make it 2-0.

Seattle hardly threatened the rest of the way as the ‘Caps earned another big win at home.

The Blue and White now shift their focus, continuing their quest for a second straight Voyageurs Cup in the Canadian Championship as they visit Canadian Premier League (CPL) side Pacific FC at Starlight Stadium this coming Wednesday, May 24.

The team is then back on the road for MLS action against St. Louis City SC next Saturday May 27, then at BC Place on Wednesday, May 31 as they host Houston Dynamo FC. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld
Attendance: 19,108
Referee: Joseph Dickerson

Scoring Summary
44’ – VAN – Pedro Vite
58’ – VAN – Stefan Frei (own goal)

Statistics
Possession: VAN 44.9% – SEA 55.1%
Shots: VAN 17 – SEA 8
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – SEA 1
Saves: VAN 1 – SEA 4
Fouls: VAN 16 – SEA 11
Offsides: VAN 0 – SEA 2
Corners: VAN 6 – SEA 9

Cautions
10’ – VAN – Pedro Vite
34’ – VAN – Ali Ahmed
41’ – SEA – Léo Chú
49’ – SEA – Albert Rusnák
70’ – SEA – Joshua Atencio
90’+3’ – VAN – Sergio Córdova

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 23.Javain Brown, 2.Mathías Laborda, 6.Tristan Blackmon; 22.Ali Ahmed (8.Alessandro Schöpf 64’), 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 20.Andrés Cubas (12.Karifa Yao 90’+1’), 14.Luís Martins; 25.Ryan Gauld © (29.Simon Becher 83’), 45.Pedro Vite (19.Julian Gressel 64’); 24.Brian White (9.Sergio Córdova 83’)

Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 7.Déiber Caicedo, 27.Ryan Raposo, 31.Russell Teibert

Seattle Sounders FC
24.Stefan Frei; 16.Alex Roldan (21.Reed Baker-Whiting 64’), 28.Yeimar, 3.Xavier Arreaga, 5.Nouhou Tolo (33.Cody Baker HT); 84.Joshua Atencio (6.João Paulo 80’), 11.Albert Rusnák; 13.Jordan Morris (19.Héber 64’), 10.Nicolás Lodeiro, 23.Léo Chú (99.Dylan Teves HT); 12.Fredy Montero

Substitutes not used
30.Stefan Cleveland, 25.Jackson Ragen, 35.Paul Rothrock.