MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC, Orlando City SC Play to Thrilling 2-2 Draw at BC Place

Published on July 17, 2016 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - It was an old-fashioned barnburner at BC Place.

And that doesn't even begin to describe it.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-8L-5D) and Orlando City SC (4W-5L-10D) played to a thrilling 2-2 draw on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd. It was a match that had just about everything, including some highlight-reel saves, a missed penalty, and a Major League Soccer debut for 15-year-old Alphonso Davies.

Nicolas Mezquida and Budweiser Man of the Match Masato Kudo provided the scoring for Vancouver with a pair of headers, their second goals of the season, while Julio Baptista and Canadian international Cyle Larin found the back of the net for Orlando.

There was all sorts of action in this one at both ends of the pitch.

The 'Caps got things started in the second minute, when Kudo sent in a low cross that was just out of the reach of a lunging Mezquida. Orlando responded with a quality chance of their own a few minutes later, as Kevin Molino fired a first-time strike just wide from the top of the box.

It was easy to see this was going to be an end-to-end affair.

To their credit, Orlando looked the more dangerous side in the early going and took a deserved lead in the 14th minute. After a nice build-up, Baptista hit a first-time strike from the top of the box that appeared to take a slight deflection before trickling through the legs of David Ousted.  

Game on.

After a few nervy moments in front of their own goal, the 'Caps got their equalizer in the 35th minute. The play started with some fine work by Andrew Jacobson, who did well to win the ball in midfield before poking a cheeky little throughball to Christian Bolaños. The Costa Rican followed suit with some trickery of his own, which led to a clear-cut Kudo strike in front of goal.

Joe Bendik made a fine save, but Mezquida headed in the rebound to level the score.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 17, 2016


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