MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Levonte Johnson Earned His Second Straight Start After Signing an MLS Contract on June 30

Published on July 13, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to winning ways at BC Place as they held onto a narrow 2-1 victory over Austin FC, in a game that was full of thrills, spills and plenty of chances.

With the result, the 'Caps pulled within six points of fourth place in the Western Conference with two games in hand.

It was a flying start for the 'Caps, as Pedro Vite opened the scoreline inside the first minute. Andrés Cubas lofted a ball towards Brian White, who then put a peach of a cross into the path of an onrushing Vite. The Ecuadorian then made no mistake, taking it down beautifully before putting it past Stuver. In the process, Vite became only the second player in MLS history to score two goals inside the first 30 seconds in two different games during a season.

Whitecaps FC would continue to pile the pressure on Austin, with White coming close to getting a second with a couple of chances inside the first 15 minutes. Austin would fight back hard, pushing for an equalizer. Sebastian Driussi came close to equalizing after Ethan Finlay's shot was saved, putting his header over the crossbar.

Levonte Johnson, playing off the left once more, was a continuous bright spot for the 'Caps, creating chances and winning the ball back early. And although Austin would keep knocking on the door through Driussi and Maxi Urruti, Whitecaps FC held on to the lead going into halftime.

Austin would start the stronger after the half, quickly equalizing in the 47th minute. Yohei Takaoka would make a good stop on a cross to initially deny Austin, but Rodney Redes picked up the rebound and smashed it into the roof of the net.

The Caps' would not back down, and retook the lead thanks to a first club goal for Sergio Córdova. Gauld would slip Córdova in with a slick through-ball, with the Venezuelan taking his time to bypass two challenges and put Stuver on his back before passing it into the back of the net.

The Blue & White would come ever close to finding a second, with White having a point-blank open header denied by the crossbar in the 84th minute. It was a nervy finish with nine minutes of added time, but the Caps' would secure the three points come the final whiste.

Whitecaps FC are right back in action at BC Place against LA Galaxy this coming Saturday, July 15 at 7:30 p.m. PT, their final match before the Leagues Cup break, available to watch on TSN and Apple TV+ MLS Season Pass. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld

Attendance: 14,995

Referee: Nima Saghafi

Scoring Summary

1' - VAN - Pedro Vite (Brian White, Andres Cubas)

47' - ATX - Rodney Redes

72' - VAN - Sergio Córdova (Ryan Gauld)

Statistics

Possession: VAN 46.1% - ATX 53.9%

Shots: VAN 14 - ATX 8

Shots on Goal: VAN 4 - ATX 2

Saves: VAN 1 - ATX 2

Fouls: VAN 10 - ATX 13

Offsides: VAN 0 - ATX 2

Corners: VAN 7 - ATX 3

Cautions

52' - ATX - Rodney Redes

78' - ATX - Adam Lundkvist

87' - VAN - Andrés Cubas

90'+9 - VAN - Tristan Blackmon

90'+14 - VAN - Vanni Sartini

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

18.Yohei Takaoka; 6.Tristan Blackmon, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 14.Luís Martins; 20.Andrés Cubas; 16.Sebastian Berhalter, 8.Alessandro Schöpf (9.Sergio Córdova 70'), 45.Pedro Vite (26.J.C. Ngando 87'), 28.Levonte Johnson (27.Ryan Raposo 58'); 24.Brian White, 25.Ryan Gauld © (7.Déiber Caicedo 87')

Substitutes not used

1.Thomas Hasal, 12.Karifa Yao, , 29.Simon Becher, 31.Russell Teibert, 61.Matteo Campagna

Austin FC

1.Brad Stuver; 24.Nick Lima, 18.Julio Cascante, 4.Kip Keller, 17.Jon Gallagher; 33.Owen Wolf, 5.Jhojan Valencia (29.Will Bruin 83'); 13.Ethan Finley (11.Rodney Redes 45'), 10.Sebastian Driussi © (22.Sofiane Djeffal 66'), 13.Diego Fagundez (7.Emiliano Rigoni 45' (21.Adam Lundkvist 75'); 37.Max Urruti

Substitutes not used

9.Gyasi Zardes, 16.Hector Jimenez, 20.Matt Bersano, 27.Brandan Craig - whitecapsfc.com -

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 13, 2023


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