February 8, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
INDIO, CALIFORNIA – Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed their first win of 2023 as they defeated Canadian rivals Toronto FC by a score of 3-0 in their third preseason friendly of the 2023 Coachella Valley Invitational at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.
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Toronto FC would get the first opportunity of the match in the eighth minute, as Canadian international Richie Laryea sent a shot from a tight angle wide of the far post.
Shortly after, it was the ‘Caps turn to get on the offensive. After some intricate build-up play in the middle of the park, Ryan Gauld found Alessandro Schöpf, who squared the ball into Julian Gressel but saw his shot from distance blocked and out for a ‘Caps corner.
Gauld had a chance of his own to open the scoring a couple minutes later after some quick passing in the final third with Brian White.
The fast-paced start to the game would continue in the 18th minute, with Tristan Blackmon clearing a shot from Federico Bernardeschi off the line and out to keep the match scoreless.
In the 31st minute, Ryan Raposo won a free kick on the left side of the box. Pedro Vite whipped in the ensuing cross into White, who saw his effort go over the bar.
Nine minutes later, Toronto were awarded a penalty kick. Bernardeschi stepped up to take it but ‘Caps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer dove to his left to deny the Italian, keeping the score locked at 0-0 heading into the halftime interval.
The Blue and White came out of the break continuing to press, as Dájome squared the ball back for Gauld, who once again almost found the net for the first goal of the match.
In the 66th minute, the ‘Caps were rewarded for their efforts. Substitute Simon Becher found Dájome in the box, who’s shot was saved by TFC goalkeeper Tómas Romero but was deflected towards the right side of the box. Dájome chased after the ball and was fouled a Toronto defender, winning a penalty kick for the ‘Caps.
Dájome himself stepped up and slotted his strike to the right side of the goal, giving Vancouver the 1-0 lead.
In the 75th minute, the ‘Caps would double their lead, with Javain Brown heading in the rebound off a Luís Martins free kick that struck the post.
Two minutes later, Brown played a long ball to Becher, who headed it into the path of Dájome. The Colombian was sent through one on one with Romero and calmly tucked in his second of the match to make it…
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