Sunday afternoon at BC Place, the Vancouver Whitecaps suffered a crushing last minute loss to visiting Los Angeles FC by a final score of 2-1.
It was Vancouver’s last home game of the regular season, and it was also the end of a run of five straight at home. This was the stretch that was supposed to propel the Whitecaps towards the promised land – a top four spot in the West. Instead, the last month at BC Place has been a nightmare.
Despite major absences due to the international break, the Whitecaps played quite well in this match, especially in the second half, and had the visitors on the ropes after tying things up at one in the 62nd minute. However, missed opportunities once again haunted the Whitecaps in front of the opposition goal, and LAFC was able to capitalize on the end-to-end chaos at the death. In the scramble, Ilie Sánchez banked a shot from distance off the inside of the post and past Yohei Takaoka, sealing the Whitecaps’ fate.
Alright, here are three thoughts, as we saw it, from inside BC Place:
The Start
For a team that needed a confidence boost after struggling so much recently, the Whitecaps did not set themselves up for success in this one with the way things started.
Just 30 seconds in, Mateusz Bogusz was able to open the score for the visitors, as he caught Bjorn Inge Utvik and Yohei Takaoka napping on what should have been a routine defensive play.
Bogusz finds the early strike for @LAFC in the first minute!
📺 #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/s1xLmpmsWj pic.twitter.com/5JmqZMxd6o
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 13, 2024
Certainly, I think Utvik’s pace in comparison to Vancouver’s other options at the position really stands out. It looks at times like he’s moving through quicksand, and it’s one of the reasons that the Norwegian is so conservative in his positioning, often dropping deeper than the rest of the backline. Nonetheless, even with Utvik’s relative lack of pace, Bogusz was contained to a very tight angle, without much of a shooting opportunity, or so the Whitecaps would have hoped.
That’s where Takaoka comes in. At first, the Japanese keeper looked to come out aggressively to clear the through ball away. It was hit hard enough that if Takaoka read it early and committed, it would have been a good play, and I think Takaoka gets there in time. However, Takaoka never looked fully committed to this tactic, and bailed halfway through, leaving himself in a compromised position. Bogusz noticed this, and being the talented finisher he is, made the Whitecaps pay for it with a deft chip over the helpless Takaoka.
For me, the really annoying thing about this goal is that Takaoka so often insists on staying on his line, even when the situation could use him being more aggressive. Yet, in this instance, if Takaoka had stuck to his usual tactics, he probably makes an easy save, or Bogusz blasts a shot wide of goal. Overall, Takaoka’s indecision, which I think stems from his hesitancy to contest physical 50/50’s in his area, has led to some very avoidable goals like this one.
The Surge
Amidst all the negativity, the Whitecaps played some really good football in the second half, especially in the absence of their big names.
As LAFC settled into a lower block and their energy levels decreased, the Whitecaps were able to find a lot of joy in possession, as they advanced into some good areas down the flanks. Ralph Priso had a very strong night at Vancouver’s CDM, winning all six of his ground duels and spreading the ball effectively with a number of nice long passes. Equally, both Ryan Raposo and Mathias Laborda were energetic in their wide roles and gave LAFC a threat to close down.
Perhaps most importantly, Sebastian Berhalter was once again cast as the Ryan Gauld understudy, and he was up for the challenge. He did a little bit of everything for Vancouver, including playing in tremendous balls from set pieces, none more important than the cross which helped Vancouver break their goalless run and get back in the match.
Set-piece equalizer for @WhitecapsFC!
This one's level with plenty of time remaining. 👀 pic.twitter.com/3gygrFgbFs
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 14, 2024
Berhalter’s growth this year has been impressive, he’s gone from a depth defensive midfielder to a player with 7 goal contributions in 17 starts, and he’s still just 23 years old. I think Berhalter is a piece that Vancouver should be very excited about in the long term, especially as the young American grows more confident taking charge on the ball in matches where he’s needed to play that role.
Finally, we should talk about Brian White. I’ll remain steadfast in my view that I would rather see White getting, but narrowly missing, chances than not getting them at all, so I think White’s night was a positive one on the whole. The sample size is big enough now that we know those will start going in soon. Let’s hope that’s the case come playoff time.
The End
Man, this one really hurt. Vancouver had pushed and pushed for a winner through the last 20+ minutes of regular time, but came up empty handed. As it went into added time, it looked like both teams were a bit gassed, and perhaps the match would end quietly in a 1-1 draw. Instead, chaos took over in the final moments.
It was a strange sequence to watch inside the stadium, as after a corner kick for LAFC, Giuseppe Bovalina sprinted down the pitch all alone against five LAFC defenders. Without much option, it looked like Bovalina tried to draw a foul as he tumbled to the turf. There was not much in the challenge, and play went on the other way, this time with LAFC youngster Nathan Ordaz taking on four or five Whitecaps defenders.
Full credit to Ordaz in the moment, as he throttled down his run, waiting for support, then nutmeging Bjorn Inge Utvik before finding Kei Kamara inside Vancouver’s box. The veteran Kamara then shielded the ball before finding an unmarked Ilie Sánchez just outside the Vancouver area.
In that moment, the Whitecaps were too slow to close down, as the Spaniard launched an impressive shot that beat Takaoka at the near post, deflecting off the post and in, crushing the hopes of the Whitecaps, as well as the 30,000 supporters in the stadium, in the process.
Ilie Sánchez finds the laaaate go-ahead goal for @LAFC from outside the box! pic.twitter.com/wSnOOvLSUf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 14, 2024
At the end of the day, it’s a bit difficult to dissect shots from outside the area and say that there was a major defensive breakdown. Yet, at the same time, it’s clear that Vancouver could have handled that moment much better.
I think Bovalina’s plea for a foul, along with the outcry from the Whitecaps’ bench, was a distraction. Equally, you would like Utivk to foul Ordaz rather than simply letting him glide by unscathed. Finally, Damir Kreilach did a very poor job closing down Sánchez in an effort to effect his shot, allowing the LAFC midfielder the time to pick his spot. None of these are catastrophic errors on their own, but together they proved to be deadly, especially against a team as good as LAFC.
The funny thing for the Whitecaps going forward is that there’s not one obvious area they need to fix, they simply need to have their best players back and execute at a higher level. Is that going to be enough come playoff time, or is the damage already done? We’ll just have to wait and see.
I watch from afar now (the UK), getting to maybe 2 or 3 Caps games a season in person and making do with highlights for the rest.
Firstly I have to say making teams play on an international weekend with so many players absent is crazy. Even my UK team (third tier) did not play on Saturday because three players were on international duty. The MLS should be the same – but I guess loss of weekend game revenue seems to be more important.
As regards the Caps, there are some excellent individual players in this squad. However the coaching from a tactical angle is lacking. Vinni has tried his best but he doesn’t have the coaching experience to maximise the talent in the squad. The Caps need a change for next season.
Finally the rotation of players is ridiculous. How do you get a team playing together when there are 3 or 4 changes every game? Yes I know travel fatigue is a factor, but “resting” players when they have only played once in ten days is over the top. Has Vinni ever been clear in his mind what his best starting eleven is? If so, have we ever started with that 11 for more than one consecutive game?
It will be another exit at the first play off stage again I fear. With some of the excellent attendances this season, the fans deserve better.
“The funny thing for the Whitecaps going forward is that there’s not one obvious area they need to fix, they simply need to have their best players back and execute at a higher level.”
Really?
As of Sunday, give or take a goal, they have scored 58 goals in 33 regular season games. In 15 of the 33 games, they scored more than one goal. By comparison, both LAFC and Colorado have scored 73 goals each. Claiming there’s no obvious area that needs a fix is either naive or just overly generous.
No one wants to be overly critical of any individual player. They have a hard job and more than enough critics, but I think there are two clear and obvious areas that need to be fixed, and they have nothing to do with whether the “best players” are absent or on the pitch.
I’ve said it before; consistency matters. The revolving door of the starting XI will never allow this team to succeed at the level they are truly capable of.
Given the early mistake, this game should have ended 4-1 in favor of the Whitecaps.
It’s ridiculous to think you can play your same 11 with so many games. Maybe at the amateur level but not at this level
That is in part on squad building, which brings Schuster into the discussion.
The damage is already done.
In retrospect the Kreilach signing has been a disaster. A player who should be back up to White is only good for 15 minutes per game and also means Johnson gets more minutes than he should.
Not unrelated to that is that the players look gassed from a season of pressing football. Whether Vanni could or should have rotated more to save their legs for the business end of the season is up for debate.
I’d give Vanni one more season (with better attacking depth) to see if he can take this club up another level over a full season.
Sartini, another season ? On what evidence ?
i agree with you
Vanni wont change– too stubborn and narcisstic to imagine any other way than what he is doing- its why he sticks with our 3 player defence who constantly get overwhelmed and blown past by speedy opponents
You’re bang on. We let Brown go, one of our fastest players. Hard to beat one on one. Tough tackler but not clumsy. Didn’t fit into Sartini’s back 3. He was a better wingback than Laborda. Better than the young, inexperienced Caps Ocampo and Bovalina. The only positive I could take from this is Halbouni would be the missing piece of the puzzle but he hasn’t played in ages it seems. What’s with that? Anyway, the back 3 is ok depending on who we’re up against but we need to be able to adjust. Some of the best teams in the world play 4 at the back. 4 at the back would have easily dealt with through ball in the the 1st 30 seconds. And based on that Sartini needs to go
0-6 …..Another “Oh but the boys tried game!.”…Enough!.Enough! the club and MLS treat fans with no respect ..Why play an important game without 6 main players? EVERY LEAGUE HAS POSTPONEMENT RULES?…….The coach after receiving a yellow card thus banned from the next game informs the press that he does not want to coach again! Thank God at last!! Let him go ASAP and take Axel Schuster with him…Time for the Owners to get a grip for sure?.. OR SELL UP?
{Offered my season ticket to a friend today who laughed and then offered me his BC Season Tickets!
foul on bovalina- NOPE
Utvik’s mistake on the first goal- NOPE- Takaoka made a hash of his indecision and its why i wouldnt re-sign him and would give the reins to Isaac Boehmer for 2025 and save $700K in salary
Berhalter- the development has been amazing- i say he has put a lot of time on the practice field- by far, THE MOST IMPROVED PLAYER FOR 2024
Vanni- he pisses me off with his inability to alter his defence and he has cost us multiple points- alongwith his drama during and after the game, its time to move on from him- he has hit his ceiling- take a whirl on – Bobby Smyrniotis of Hamilton Forge
Priso- if he is your best player on the night, well …
White blows hot and cold- but they both go on for multiple games, so its not looking good for the playoffs of probably 2 games on the road
Armstrong- predictable injuries- wait for 2025 – sure is disappointing
IF kreilach and johnson are back for 2025, its going to be another long season
AMAZED at the size of the crowd, not amazed i didnt go – this Club just sucks the enthusiasm out of you, year-after-year
totally agree…i have had enough!…………until next year
Have to take issue with “not much in the challenge” on Bovalina, just before the winning goal. LAFC players, especially Marlon, had been going through Caps players most of the game with fouls but no yellows. This was no different and should have been whistled down, but the rule apparently is that LAFC gets the breaks at all key moments whenever these two teams meet. If Vancouver even survives to the 1v8 or 1v9 match and plays LAFC, there’s no sense in watching, it’s pre-ordained that the Caps will get no breaks whatsoever, and there are even online commenters who claim that this is enshrined in unwritten law. What’s wrong with just wanting a referee to call what happens on the field instead of considering the score or the teams involved?
Even the homer Apple broadcast crew of Dolan and Price didn’t think it was a foul.
If the Caps are so “preordained” to lose , stop watching, go to Langley and put your exclusive support behind VFC instead.
OUCH !!!
Langley bound!
You’re surely having a laugh.
The ‘Caps were a victim of their own circumstance last night, nothing more. Sartini and the players moan about the refereeing consistently because they don’t do enough in matches for decisions to not have as significant a bearing on their outcome of positive results.
And as a fan or supporter, if you buy into their whinging and conspiracy narrative then you are part of that problem.
The Caps are the worst 1st half team. They’re so predictable and easy to defend against. And then when they turn the ball over they’re in defensive desperation mode. I’ve been to 5 live matches and it’s so bad in the 1st half. It’s just groaning and wtf. Last night’s 2nd half i was a believer. Too bad 2 mistakes led to the LAFC winner. Bovalina should have just played the ball out at the corner flag forcing a very deep LAFC throw in. Bovalina did well to advance the ball but was running into a culdesac. That he was fouled but embellished it led the referee to not call the foul. And then the defending. 1v2 caps defenders and the attacker splits between both of them. That can’t happen. From out on the touch line just take the attacker down and deal with the free kick. That was such a preventable goal
The second half of the season strategy does seem to be to contain teams in the first half and try to win it in the second. It worked, barely, against Toronto FC in the CC final, but is not working as well against other squads. Part of this is the usual summer signing that needs another 9 months to get fit and fully adapt to MLS, part of it is that Gauld is banged up, but the early season Caps who often scored early were a lot more exciting to watch than this “bend-but-don’t-break and we’ll try to win it in the end” group.
facts tho –
were set up to win, even with bench players against a half bench LAFC Side we are on equal footing. Lady luck, the Mob, paying the refs off, or something just has to come out and win a game for us because its not like the old whitecaps who had bad players and also bad tactics. Before it would be easy to point out we have clear issues and are getting ran off the pitch like some second tier team. The last few games have been bad by whitecaps standards and other than seattle havent had disastrous scorelines but the real lack of Ws.
Perhaps, its all a ploy for us to be playing more away games come playoffs, since we are a better road team.