September 14, 2024 – Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
VANCOUVER, BC – It was all smiles at BC Place on Saturday night, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC put in a confident performance to come out 2-0 victors against San Jose Earthquakes.
Fafa Picault almost got the ‘Caps off to a perfect start in the 12th minute, being sent in behind by Ryan Gauld. Picault did well to latch onto the pass and skip past his defender, but his low shot towards the far post was parried wide by San Jose goalkeeper Daniel.
Sam Adekugbe got a golden opportunity to grab the lead eight minutes later. After being receiving a cross from Picault, the Canadian international found some space at the back post but was unable to get a good purchase on the ball to tap it in.
Picault continued the flurry of chances as he got onto the end of a brilliant curled cross from Gauld at the back post, but was denied by a brilliant point-blank save from Daniel.
Daniel was called on once again as he rebuffed Ali Ahmed after he was sent through on goal by Gauld once again minutes later.
After battering at the door for over half-an hour, the ‘Caps finally got their opener in the 35th minute through Picault. Gauld whipped in an excellent cross from the corner and the Haitian international rose the highest out of everyone to hammer home a header for his 10th goal of the season across all competitions.
The Scot nearly doubled the ‘Caps’ lead right at the end of the first half. Ahmed played a ball inside from the right for Pedro Vite to lay-off for Gauld. Gauld then hit a venomous first time shot that dipped just wide of the post. That would be the last action of the half as the Blue and White went into the break with the one goal lead.
The second half saw the ‘Caps continuing where they left off. Pedro Vite tried his luck from just outside the box, trying to sneak a driven shot into the near side of the goal but Daniel did well to hold onto his effort.
Picault came close once again just five minutes into the half as he got onto a cross from Adekugbe in the box and smashed a header against the crossbar.
Ahmed nearly got the better of Daniel in the 62nd minute, driving down the right side after the ‘Caps won the ball up high. Ahmed got past his marker and laced a shot towards the near post, but fired wide of the mark.
Alessandro Schöpf was inches away from getting that elusive second goal for Vancouver in the 75th minute. Picault danced past his defender and cut inside from the right before…
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