‘Caps Celebrate 50th Anniversary in Front of Record Crowd of 32,465

May 4, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release

VANCOUVER, BC – It was a historic night at BC Place in front of an MLS era record crowd of 32,464 on the club’s 50th Anniversary match. Despite dominating proceedings and outshooting the visitors 23 to four, the ‘Caps were ultimately held to a 0-0 draw against Austin FC.

The highly anticipated match began with Whitecaps FC on the front foot, pressing Austin back. Fafà Picault got into the box early and put a dangerous ball across the box, with Adekugbe waiting to tap it in before Austin managed to clear it.

Picault then forced Brad Stuver into his first save of the match through a headed effort, after an audacious flick and cross by Brian White into the box.

Ryan Gauld looked to have put Whitecaps FC ahead after 19 minutes, scoring low into the corner, but the referee called it back after a video review due to a handball on Picault.

Picault kept the pressure on Austin, including a thunderous deflected shot from outside the box just past the half-hour mark.

Gauld tested Stuver’s goal once again just a few minutes later, curling an effort into the corner only for Stuver to deny him at full stretch. Whitecaps FC would continue to push Austin all the way until the halftime whistle, but would go into the break scoreless on the night.

The second half began in similar fashion as the first, with the ‘Caps gunning for that opener. Alessandro Schöpf and Ryan Raposo each had great chances in the box in quick succession less than 10 minutes into the half, but were denied through blocks by Stuver and his defence. Picault then nearly snatched the lead just a few minutes later, diving for a header after a brilliant cross from Raposo, but his effort would zip past the wrong side of the post.

Gauld tried his luck from distance with just over 20 minutes to play, getting on the end of a clever one-two before poking it towards goal. Stuver was well positioned for that one, and was forced into another save as Raposo got on the end of a whipped cross for a headed effort. Gauld then had a fantastic chance in the 75th minute, capitalizing off a clever pass from Brian White, only for his shot to curl wide.

Bjørn Inge Utvik nearly got his first goal for the club in the 82nd minute, after a peach of a cross by Gauld, but his header was stopped by Stuver from close range.

Despite the ‘Caps efforts, the match would end with no goals from either side, splitting the points between them.

Whitecaps FC are back in…