Brian White hat-trick propels ‘Caps to thrilling comeback victory at BC Place

• Whitecaps FC came back from multiple goals down to win for the fourth time in their MLS era and the second time at home. The last time they came back from multiple goals down at home was in June 2013 against New England Revolution
• Brian White recorded his second career hat-trick for Whitecaps FC and is now up to eight goals this season. After becoming the club’s leading goalscorer across all competitions earlier in the year, White has now equalled Whitecaps FC’s MLS regular season goalscoring record at 39 goals
• Whitecaps FC scored four goals for the second time at home this season
• Ryan Raposo recorded his fourth assist of the season
• Ralph Priso recorded his second assist of the season
• Luís Martins recorded his first assist of the season

VANCOUVER, BC – It was an exciting evening at BC Place on Saturday, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed a thrilling come-from-behind victory by defeating St. Louis CITY SC by a score of 4-3.

The match began with St. Louis striking first and early. After clearing their lines from a dangerous corner, Njabulo Blom lashed a deflected volley from way out into the back of the net.

St. Louis made it a quickfire double in the 11th minute via a penalty kick from Eduard Löwen, who made no mistake from 12-yards.

Levonte Johnson came close to halving the deficit in the 17th minute, after finding himself with a glorious opportunity. Ryan Gauld found Johnson all alone on the left, but the Canadian’s shot was miraculously saved by St. Louis goalkeeper Ben Lundt to deny the ‘Caps a goal.

Takaoka got called into action once more half an hour in, denying an John Klein’s effort from close-range to keep the ‘Caps within touching distance of CITY.

That save would prove to be crucial, as seven minutes later, Brian White got one back for Whitecaps FC. A long ball forward found St. Louis unable to clear their lines, allowing White to capitalize. The American picked up the ball just inside the box, and lashed a shot towards goal that took a deflection before bouncing in.

Whitecaps FC would keep pushing for that equalizer, but would have to wait for the second half as the referee blew his whistle for the break.

The ‘Caps came out flying in the second half, nearly getting an equalizer just five minutes in. Gauld delivered a superb cross from a free-kick, finding Brown at the back post. Brown managed to outjump everyone and headed an almost perfect effort on goal, beating the goalkeeper but getting denied by the crossbar. Chaos ensued as Ryan Raposo tried to get the rebound before former Whitecaps FC defender Jake Nerwinski denied another chance with a goal-line clearance.

The Blue and White managed to get their equalizer in the 54th minute. It was Brian White at the heart of it once more, capitalizing on a mistake at the back again and pulling off an audacious back-heel chip that went up and over Lundt to tie the match at 2-2.

White would not stop there however, as he completed his hat trick in the 61st minute to complete the comeback for the ‘Caps. Raposo whipped in a lethal cross for White to jump up and flick it past Lundt to make it 3-2.

St. Louis kept pushing to try to get back into the match, and forced Whitecaps FC to pull out all the stops to deny them, including some crucial blocks and tackles from the defence to maintain the lead.

But for all that St. Louis pressure, it would be the ‘Caps that got the finishing goal through Fafa Picault at the very end. Luís Martins burst down the left side and cut back a fantastic ball for Picault to place his left-footed shot into the side-netting to ensure all three points.

CITY would get a late consolation right at the end, but it would prove too little too late as the ‘Caps held on for a thrilling win in front of their own fans.

Whitecaps FC are back in action on the road against Minnesota United on Wednesday, July 3rd at Allianz Field in St. Paul, Minnesota, with kickoff set for 5:30 p.m. PT. The Blue and White return to BC Place on Wednesday, July 17th to face Sporting Kansas City for their ’80s Match, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Brian White
Attendance: 24,662
Referee: Mark Allatin

Scoring Summary
7’ – STL – Njabulo Blom
12’ – STL – Eduard Löwen (penalty kick)
37’ – VAN – Brian White
54’ – VAN – Brian White
61’ – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Raposo)
90’ – VAN – Fafa Picault (Luís Martins, Ralph Priso)
90’+3 – STL – Nökkvi Thórisson (Indiana Vassilev)

Statistics
Possession: VAN 60.5 %- STL 39.5%
Shots: VAN 14 – STL 10
Shots on Goal: VAN 9 – STL 5
Saves: VAN 2 – STL 4
Fouls: VAN 11 – STL 9
Offsides: VAN 1 – STL 1
Corners: VAN 3 – STL 5

Cautions
12’ – VAN – Javain Brown
26’ – STL – Anthony Markanich
49’ – STL – Jake Nerwinski

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 23.Javain Brown (4.Ranko Veselinović 84’), 2.Mathías Laborda, 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik; 7.Ryan Raposo (11.Fafa Picault 62’), 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 45.Pedro Vite, 14.Luís Martins; 25.Ryan Gauld (13.Ralph Priso 84’), 24.Brian White, 28.Levonte Johnson (27.Giuseppe Bovalina 72’)

Substitutes not used
17.Joe Bendik, 32.Isaac Boehmer, 6.Tristan Blackmon, 12.Belal Halbouni, 52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau

St. Louis CITY SC
39.Ben Lundt; 14.Tomas Totland, 2.Jake Nerwinski, 13.Anthony Markanich (46.Caden Glover 79’), 20.Akil Watts; 8.Chris Durkin, 6.Njabulo Blom (85.Hosei Kijima 62’); 29.Indiana Vassilev, 10.Eduard Löwen, 41.John Klein; 29.Nökkvi Thórisson

Substitutes not used
31.Christian Olivares; 26.Tim Parker, 33.Tyson Pearce, 80.Brendan McSorely, 99.Jayden Reid