- MathĂas Laborda scored his fourth goal of the season, and his eighth goal contribution (4G, 4A) setting a new MLS career high. Laborda ranks second among defenders in club MLS history with 13 goals, including playoffs, trailing only former Costa Rican national team centre back Kendall Waston (15)
- Oliver Larraz recorded his fourth assist of the season, tying his MLS career high
CHICAGO, IL – In a rescheduled Windy City match, Vancouver Whitecaps FC fought back in the second half, but fell in a 3-1 defeat to Chicago Fire FC.
With the loss, Whitecaps FC (15W-5D-7L, 50 points) remain three points ahead at the top of the West table, with seven matches to play in the regular season.
After the curtain lifted, left winger Emmanuel Sabbi eagerly took on Fire FC right back Jonathan Dean in a one-one-one duel. Sabbi tapped a nutmeg through Dean’s legs, and followed with a sublime low cross for oncoming captain Ryan Gauld. The Scot looped his one-touch just over the crossbar.
However, the Fire found the opening goal. Jonathan Bamba cracked a 25-yard curler past outstretched Whitecaps FC ’keeper Yohei Takaoka for 1-0.
Later on, Takaoka scrambled across his crease before right back Rui Modesto bravely stood tall to prevent a second goal from going in.
Chicago then had an opportunity from the penalty spot. Philip Zinckernagel stepped up and rang his drive off the left post and out.
The Blue and White kept their heads up. Whitecaps FC left back Tate Johnson played a give-and-go with striker Brian White, who hit a shot from just outside the box that went over the crossbar.
At the half, Whitecaps FC manager Jesper Sørensen inserted Thomas Müller in place of Aleksa Cvetković in the midfield.
Early in the second half, the Fire doubled their lead. Zinckernagel finished past Takaoka.
Whitecaps FC fought back off an Oliver Larraz corner – Laborda flew high in the air to powerfully nod home a ball that stung Cohen’s palms before trickling in for 2-1 in the 73rd minute.
Nearing the death, Fire FC found a third goal with a Maren Haile-Selassie finish from a Robert Lewandoski pass to snuff out the Blue and White’s comeback.
Next up, the ’Caps continue their road gauntlet in the second of their five straight matches away from home. They’ll fly into the City of Angels to renew hostilities with longtime nemesis Los Angeles FC this Saturday, October 10, at 7:30 p.m. PCT. Fans can watch on Apple TV, TSN, listen on 730 CKNW, or check out the ’Caps & Taps list to find the nearest bar showing the match.
At the end of the month, Whitecaps FC will return home versus San Diego FC on Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30 p.m. PCT. The final regular season home match comes on Sunday, November 1 versus Seattle Sounders FC at 1:30 p.m. PCT, with the upper bowl now open. To secure your seats, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Sergii Boiko
Attendance: 31,381
Scoring Summary
9’ – CHI – Jonathan Bamba (Anton Salétros)
50’ – CHI – Philip Zinckernagel (Maren Haile-Selassie)
73’ – VAN – MathĂas Laborda (Oliver Larraz)
88’ – CHI – Maren Haile-Selassie (Robert Lewandowski, Johan Gómez)
Statistics
Possession: CHI 51.3% – VAN 48.7%Â
Shots: CHI 21 – VAN 14
Shots on Goal: CHI 8 – VAN 2
Saves: CHI 1 – VAN 4
Fouls: CHI 9 – VAN 11
Offsides: CHI 2 – VAN 5
Corners: CHI 2 – VAN 8
Cautions
19’ – CHI – Philip Zinckernagel
55’ – CHI – Jonathan Dean
61’ – VAN – Tate Johnson
Chicago Fire FC
44.Josh Cohen; 24.Jonathan Dean, 3.Jack Elliott ©, 4.Mbekezeli Mbokazi, 2.Leonardo Barroso; 11.Philip Zinckernagel (12.Puso Dithejane 76’), 6.Anton Salétros (22.Mauricio Pineda HT), 42.Dje D’Avilla, 19.Jonathan Bamba (9.Robert Lewandowski 76’); 18.Johan Gómez (29.David Poreba 90+2’), 7.Maren Haile-Selassie
Substitutes not used
25.Jeffrey Gal, 5.Sam Rogers, 15.Andrew Gutman, 21.Andreas Hansche-Olsen, 35.Sergio Oregel Jr.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 70.Rui Modesto, 2.MathĂas Laborda, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 28.Tate Johnson (3.Sam Adekugbe 73’); 23.Aleksa Cvetković (13.Thomas MĂĽller HT), 8.Oliver Larraz (19.Rayan Elloumi 88’); 7.Cheikh Sabaly (77.Yadaly Diaby 58’), 25.Ryan Gauld ©, 11.Emmanuel Sabbi (14.Bruno Caicedo 58’); 24.Brian White
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 15.Sebastián RamĂrez, 41.Nikola Djordjevic