Whitecaps Sneak It Late to Make it Back-to-Back Wins

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Colorado Rapids

VANCOUVER, BC–The Whitecaps have made it back-to-back wins after a goal in second half stoppage time to make the final 2-1 over Colorado Rapids. The Whitecaps move up to fifth place in the Western Conference while the Rapids fall to eighth and their winless streak now four.

Both teams has missed golden opportunities in the first half. Kevin Cabral thought he had given the Rapids a penalty in the 33rd minute, but VAR determined that the Whitecaps’ Mathias Laborda did not foul him in the area. After a goalless first half, the Whitecaps would get off the mark early in the second half. Ryan Gauld sent a diagonal ball to Sebastian Berhalter who would score from close range to put the hosts ahead in the 46th minute.

That lead would last just four minutes though, as Omar Fernandez would find Djordje Mihalovic making a run into the area and from point blank range, the latter would level matters for the Rapids.

Two late subs would make an impact for the Whitecaps. Giuseppe Bovalina would clear a ball off the line in the 85th minute after Fernandez’s shot went off the post and off Yohei Takaoka and rolling towards the goal before Bovalina cleared the danger. Damir Kreilach would score the match winner just as stoppage time began after collecting a ball from Gauld and just getting it past Zack Steffen and the ball would roll over the line and the Whitecaps would claim all three points.

Both teams get next week off for internationals. The Whitecaps travel to New England to face the Revolution on June 15th at 4:30pm Pacific time, while the Rapids will look to end their winless streak at home against Austin FC with a 7:30pm Mountain time start.

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos from the night at BC Place, please click on the link to his gallery.