- Whitecaps FC remain in first place in the MLS Western Conference with four matches remaining in the regular season, four points ahead of second place St. Louis and Dallas
- MLS Comeback Player of the Year candidate Ryan Gauld scored his fifth goal of the season across all competitions since returning from injury after the FIFA World Cup break, and his seventh goal contribution (5G, 2A)
- Emmanuel Sabbi recorded his fourth assist of the season across all competitions, and his 10th goal contribution (6G, 4A)
- Édier Ocampo recorded his team-leading 10th assist of the season across all competitions, and 12th goal contribution (2G, 10A)
- Yadaly Diaby scored his second goal since making his club debut in September, and third goal contribution (2G, 1A)
- Tate Johnson recorded his fourth assist of the season across all competitions
- Aleksa Cvetkovic recorded his second assist since making his club debut in September
AUSTIN, TX – Vancouver Whitecaps FC rode into the Lone Star State and lassoed Austin FC, coming back from a goal down to collect all three points in a 2-1 victory.
Thanks to captain Ryan Gauld's header and substitute Yadaly Diaby's world-class curler, Whitecaps FC (16W-7L-7D, 55 points) extended their top-of-the-table reign to four points, with four matches to go in the regular season.
Partway through the first half, a poor back pass from Austin centre back Oleksandr Svatok saw Blue and White striker Brian White doggedly pursue the ball. Under pressure, goalkeeper Brad Stuver hurriedly booted a clearance directly into the path of Bruno Caicedo – but his attempt floated over the crossbar.
Near the half-hour, Caicedo tried to return the favour. Gauld put a cross down the left wing for Caicedo. His flash across goal almost dipped in favour of White, who arrived a heartbeat late.
On the next rush, White’s savvy through ball set up Caicedo – his crack from the top of the box forced Stuver into a desperate parry to keep the match at nil-nil.
Against the run of play, the home side drew first blood near halftime. Austin FC forward Myrto Uzuni pounced onto a back pass and finished to give the home side an unlikely 1-0 lead.
Whitecaps FC manager Jesper Sørensen’s halftime talk certainly sparked his XI. Moments into the second half, a mesmerizing series of passes led right back Édier Ocampo to bravely take two defenders on before he smartly found Emmanuel Sabbi. With space, Sabbi looped in a fantastic cross for the oncoming Gauld – the unmarked Scot jumped skyward to nod past Stuver for the 1-1 equalizer in the 47th minute.
In the 65th minute, Sørensen sent on Yadaly Diaby. Six minutes later, Diaby stunned the Verde and Black faithful into silence.
Off a Tate Johnson cross at the edge of the box, Diaby danced into a one-on-one with Austin FC wingback Joseph Rosales. The 26-year-old Guinean international juked right to unleash an absolute picture-perfect shot off his boots that clanged in off the far post past a shocked Stuver for 2-1.
The 'Caps nearly found a third goal. A Tristan Blackmon high ball dipped into the attacking third for White – defender Jon Bell slipped – to put White free and clear. A wily Stuver challenge forced White to swerve a shot wide.
Despite Whitecaps FC controlling the majority of the match, Austin would make a final push. MLS Goalkeeper of the Year contender Yohei Takaoka made a world-class save to preserve the three points. He dove to the far post for a point-blank parry off a Brandon Vázquez header four minutes from time.
Next up, Whitecaps FC head to the Mile High State to take on Colorado Rapids on Saturday, October 24, at 6:30 p.m. PCT. Fans can watch on Apple TV or TSN, or check out the ’Caps & Taps list to find the nearest bar showing the match.
The ’Caps return home on Wednesday, October 28 to take on San Diego FC at 7:30 p.m. PCT. Then on Sunday, November 1, Whitecaps FC host Seattle Sounders FC in their final regular season home match at 1:30 p.m. PCT. The upper bowl is open, with tickets to both matches available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Tori Penso
Attendance: 20,738
ERDINGER Man of the Match: Ryan Gauld
Scoring Summary
40’ – ATX – Myrto Uzuni
47’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld (Emmanuel Sabbi, Édier Ocampo)
71’ – VAN – Yadaly Diaby (Tate Johnson, Aleksa Cvetković)
Statistics
Possession: ATX 47.5% – VAN 52.5%
Shots: ATX 9 – VAN 10
Shots on Goal: ATX 5 – VAN 3
Saves: ATX 1 – VAN 4
Fouls: ATX 8 – VAN 12
Offsides: ATX 0 – VAN 0
Corners: ATX 4 – VAN 6
Cautions
13’ – VAN – Andrés Cubas
37’ – VAN – Tristan Blackmon
90’ – VAN – Ryan Gauld
Austin FC
1.Brad Stuver; 4.Brendan Hines-Ike (3.Mikkel Desler 74’), 5.Oleksandr Svatok (29.Guilherme Biro 64’), 15.Jon Bell; 21.Christian Ramírez (11.Facundo Torres 73’), 38.Ervin Torres, 14.Besard Sabovic (24.Jorge Alastuey 73’), 10.Myrto Uzuni; 30.Joseph Rosales, 9.Brandon Vázquez, 17.Jon Gallagher (6.Ilie Sánchez 82’)
Substitutes not used
12.Damian Las, 22.Christopher Applewhite, 35.Mateja Djordjević, 77.Przemysław Płacheta
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Yohei Takaoka; 18.Édier Ocampo, 2.Mathías Laborda, 33.Tristan Blackmon, 28.Tate Johnson; 23.Aleksa Cvetković (8.Oliver Larraz 81’), 20.Andrés Cubas (6.Ralph Priso 65’); 11.Emmanuel Sabbi (7.Cheikh Sabaly 81’), 25.Ryan Gauld ©, 14.Bruno Caicedo (77.Yadaly Diaby 65’); 24.Brian White (19.Rayan Elloumi 87’)
Substitutes not used
32.Isaac Boehmer, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 29.Mihail Gherasimencov, 70.Rui Modesto