Whitecaps vs LAFC: Frustration builds over as Gauld misses 2 PK's, the Caps remain in the same spot

A draw between the Whitecaps and LAFC, places the Whitecaps in sixth place and a rematch will be occurring between the two sides in the first round of the playoffs.

Initial Reactions

What a scuffed match this was between the Whitecaps and LAFC. The frustrated crowd in BC Place, such a large crowd here at BC Place. There are two main factors to be frustrated and crossed here. First of all, you obviously wanted the three points, and to have a former player and a betrayer some Whitecaps supporters consider him just sucks. His relationship with the fans died off instantly after he made his decision to commit to LAFC talking about Maxime Crepeau here. The words you usually describe two missed penalties are. Disgraceful, terrible, embarrassment, dishonored, shocking, disputed, obnoxious, utterly bad. But I don't believe that's the case with Ryan Gauld. Some part of me believes that he would have scored two out of two if it's against any other keeper. Both those penalties were decent strike hit with power. As both of those attempts weren't shambolic and disappointing efforts.

Another part that builds up this anger and frustration among the Whitecaps fans is that with so many people watching you want a victory in front of an tension and multitude crowd. To persuade them to come back and not just a one time thing. So that stings as well, not only was it the largest crowd this season. It was also an opportunity to build a bigger and more established fanbase with more consistent numbers like every match is 19K+ it would have been nice if the Caps got the victory here to possibly boost the attendance numbers into higher amounts. This match was pretty entertaining though, and the energy in the stadium was almost at an all time high. But it would've been more positive if the Whitecaps got a victory, and got to sing Stand By Me with the newcomers and the returners. As a major reason why the fanbase has slightly decrease with is reflected by the attendance, I believe that a portion of it may be the team's display.

Rematch

An unpleasant surprise for the Whitecaps, as despite the point gained they will not jump up or go down a position. As before the match we already were fed that information, where the Whitecaps will at least be 6th. And the final regular season result will be sixth place. With how compacted the Western Conference is, anything can happen. The draw secures themselves back against each other, LAFC in third, Vancouver in sixth will indicate that these two will match up against each other again. My personal opinion, probably the most entertaining and groundbreaking matchup inside of the MLS. Vancouver versus LAFC all over again, after a drama-filled Decision Day. MLS implemented new rules for the First Round of the playoffs, including a change the the series length. Now every Round 1 matchup will be a Best Of 3. Which is unique and from what most players have been claiming about it. Not very good across the board, as it seems like players aren't happy with the decision. Including tonight's standout Maxime Crepeau. Where tremendous storylines will be regarding of the Canadian goalkeeper. So the Decision Day matchup, without knowing might just be a complete warm-up to the upcoming Round 1 matchup. I believe both sides of the supporters aren't pleased with facing each other, as both teams are difficult teams to go against and it will 100% be extremely interesting especially with the potential storylines and great gameplay. With the matches being scheduled on October 28th, November 5th and November 9th. An Best Of 3 where Game 1 and 3 will be hosted in Los Angeles since they have home field advantage. While Vancouver

Atmosphere

Despite already talking about this. I believe this is a seriously topic and if integrated correctly then we can see a sellout lower bowl more often than just once or twice every season. As if we're discussing the average attendance throughout the season. I would roughly estimate an amount of around 16,000. That might even be ambitious. But here on a big occasion against an intriguing team. The supporters turned out. With more than 25,000 individuals coming to BC Place to watch this match. As the massive occasions of this season, did ended up successfully selling quite some tickets. I observed that this start time may have also been beneficial to the attendance. As the one time that I recall where we didn't start at 7:30 PT, was the second match of the season where I believe started at 2pm. Which it seems like every year we will get those early start times. But how it is beneficial is that, if some parents have some younger kids. They aren't available to bring their kid to the match and the worst part is they are most likely unavailable to go to the match. In fact, 15 out of 17 matches have started at 7:30. Which I find absurd, considering last season it was usually 7 just mixed in with a couple 7:30 matches. This might have something to do with the Apple TV contract. To schedule times where everyone can watch separately, and urge the viewer to spectate both matches with colliding. Anyways, to how this crowd was loud is an understatement. As from the chants to the boo's it was all clearly heard on televisions. Whenever Max Crepeau touched the ball, the supporters made sure to not give him a break. Especially with the controversy that he caused involving the penalties. Never stopped cheering after the two missed penalties and showed passion. So the Whitecaps just have to rethink their promotion technique to get more people into the stadium, as this match the promotion's were enough to bring in 25,000+ into BC Place. The most since the home opener in 2019, and most crucially the highest attendance since the pandemic. Let's see what type of spark can Vancouver give their team on November 5th at BC Place, the first home playoff match since 2017. It's also worth a mention that we also saw some LAFC fans from Southern California travel to Vancouver which was interesting to see. As they were noticeable in the Apple TV broadcast. It was also an surprise when the 2 year extension of Sartini until 2025, was announced by PA Announcer Don Andrews to the gigantic BC Place crowd.

Stat Of The Game

Every single time I used this category, I seem to be discussing about the Expected Goals a bunch. As even in this one it was vital, obviously the XG was an advantage for Vancouver. But expectedly the Expected Goals is higher than the goals in reality. Which is really understandable with two penalties being missed. Which means that stat isn't too valid in this match, as two penalties missed will be just an indication on why the Expected Goals was higher than the real goals scored. I was shocked for LAFC, as there Expected Goals was 1.6, higher than there amount of goals in one. But in this game the stat that stands out is possession. The possession was 57-43 Vancouver. Which is fascinating to me, as I thought the first 30 minutes aside from that PK the possession was being dominated by LAFC. But potentially we earned that back after halftime and it was just unnoticed. But LAFC, usually not really known for high possession but still 2% above Vancouver this season. It really shows the changes that they've transitioned into this campaign. With Vanni Sartini potentially realizing that not having much possession like last year, will be difficult to win an MLS cup. So this year, they have certainly made sure to keep possession more frequently.

Game Recap

In the 3rd minute mark is where we get the first opportunity of the match, Ilie steals the ball at the midfield passes to Bouanga, he shoots a far distance effort that is on frame Takaoka dives out and saves it.

Gauld recovers possession momentarily after he lost it, places a ball to Laryea initially outside of the box dribbles inwards then the quick feet to shift the direction to the left and he gets tripped down inside the penalty box seems like it was an sliding attempt by Hollingshead. An VAR review and the match official changes his decision.

Ryan Gauld to take it against former teammate Crepeau, and he strikes it with pace and accuracy. But Crepeau reaches out and makes an phenomenal stop on Ryan Gauld who was left stunned. Crepeau with a good hand to the end line as well, not messing about to potentially get an rebound opportunity. In my eyes, this penalty was a good penalty but better goalkeeping. And I give respect to Crepeau on that one.

Gauld then a bit after curls it just wide with an long shot attempt.

The pass by Berhalter is again cut off by Ilie and then plays it to Bouanga who gets himself that slim space after some dribbles and shoots it with his left an low driven shot that successfully beats Takaoka. Takaoka gave to full effort to reach out his left arm but just barely too short.

There were so many questions to that goal. Like could Yohei Takaoka stop that? Could Veselinovic have played better defending and not give him any room. Or could Berhalter have initially done better with the pass?

Halftime and LAFC somehow steals the lead heading into the intermission.

Next, Laryea with a short pass to Vite and then Vite with a backheel nutmeg it looked like. Which it approaches Laryea, Laryea with some nice skill moves. Plays it back to Vite. Pedro Vite uses the outside of the boot to play it through to Laryea down the right. He crosses it with pace to the middle where it went past the center and falls perfectly to Ali Ahmed who shoots bizarrely but it finds a way to the top right corner with Crepeau already diving. There is no decisive answer if the finish was advertently or not, but it doesn't matter and Ali Ahmed equalizes for the Whitecaps off a beautiful team goal created by Laryea and Vite.

Then, it was a corner swung in by Berhalter. Brian White barely got a touch takes an deflection off Ilie. But it didn't fool Crepeau enough as he prevents himself from diving and uses his knee to keep it out.

I believe it was around here where the incident and event happened. As a great ball was crossed in and I believe Vela was by himself but misses the goal as he didn't catch it cleanly.

Ali Ahmed with an sensational ball to a overlapping Richie Laryea. Laryea rapidly sprinting and is in a race with Palacios and gets inside the box. A push from behind by Palacios was a lot of contact and it is enough for the referee to point to the spot. What a initial through ball by Ahmed.

Gauld to take again. Against Crepeau. Gauld steps up and shoots again with power but it somehow, someway didn't go in. As he swings his arms up in frustration and anger. He hits the woodwork, around the spot where it is a combination of the crossbar and the post, just a few centimeters from a perfect penalty. Could he have chased that instead of his reaction in swinging his arms up in anger? I do not think so, that ball was most likely going to be secured by Crepeau but it may have been worth an attempt to hustle for it.

Bouanga plays a wonderfully timed through ball to Gonzalez with limited amount of room but is through on goal 1v1 versus Takaoka. He shoots it low and Takaoka with his leg sticks it out and denies Gonzalez on a major opportunity to win the match for LAFC.

The full time whistle by Fotis Bozakos will result in these two faces, matching up against each other in the first round.

Penalties

In my opinion, Gauld displayed two solid strikes. Both were extremely technical especially the second one. I believe that missing in this match, will mean way less than what is to come in the Round 1 matchup. That's when the pressure is really on. As even if the Whitecaps ended up winning, it wouldn't have changed the matchup. So it wasn't all that meaningful in the end. The only negatives of this is, one you not generate as much momentum. As if you have won against your opponents the previous time you have faced them, then you have a pretty useful advantage I would say. As in the postseason, any slight advantage will become so important. The penalties were just an average penalty, maybe even slightly above average. First one that he took, as I mentioned I give Crepeau a lot of respect for that. Second one is where I lost all respect for Crepeau, even if he left Vancouver for a "family emergency" and the Whitecaps helped him fulfill his wish. I have a lot of doubts about the way he almost just randomly requested a leave. The reasoning on why he prefers Los Angeles is still unknown. But one thing is for certain, the disrespect and attempted distraction to Gauld was unnecessary and I would say unsportsmanlike. As delaying the penalty for around two minutes should not be allowed. He did get a yellow card warning and so did various other players in that incident, where he walked up to Gauld and talked to him trying to put him off his game. Like I have never saw Takaoka walk up with the ball, talk with the opponent trying to put him off focus and then making them miss. Which part of it might be on Gauld, but I am not a fan of him being in my opinion disrespectful. Somewhat even ungrateful for the opportunity Vancouver gave him, where he established a foundation. Gauld maybe was being slightly too worried about an potential stop again, with Crepeau's ability from last time. Like maybe he doesn't have to be too precise, just at a spot where Crepeau couldn't reach. His movements communicate to me that he thought that it was going straight towards the top corner. And his frustration indicates it. Do you think Crepeau's toxicity and detaining should be allowed? I believe it was fairly unnecessary as walking up distracting Gauld, making him miss off the crossbar. Is like he on the first penalty saved it greatly. Couldn't he just try to get all the valuable advice that he seized over the years, to stop this second one?

Man Of The Match

This match, almost like a warm-up but more serious against LAFC. Well the players most likely didn't know about what was occurring in the other matches, and the results from the other matches indicated that even if the Whitecaps win. It would have still sparked this matchup. While if LAFC wins, the First Round matchup would have been. Seattle versus Vancouver and LAFC against Dallas, that's the only result that would have changed this matchup around the later stages in that one. But I believe that the players still gave full effort, since they most likely didn't know that the results that they wanted to be advantagerial for them were not. Also as they want to put in an performance to impress, so they can start in the playoffs. Now I believe the players are distinctively trying, both teams were giving that full effort. Nevertheless, with an extremely uncommon night as both Gauld and White didn't seem to be clicking. as Brian White wasn't really involved with the match. I believe that other than the 2 missed penalties he was actually good, as he was recovering the ball a lot and shot a respectable long range shot. With just unluckiness also by his side. So there are only two candidates that replicate this match, Ali Ahmed and Richie Laryea. As both competitors were vital on that second goal. Something that has been lurking in the shadows a bit, is that on the second penalty foul. Where Laryea drew the penalty, it was all initiated and played a spectacular ball through by Ahmed to earn the penalty. Obviously Gauld would end up missing both penalties, but to gain that penalty to give your team an chance from twelve yards is not only vital, it is also crucial. As 75% of the time statistically that, the penalty will be scored and that doesn't include any follow-ups. So immediately both players really speak to me, but Ali Ahmed with that class finish. Despite being unknown on if it was on purpose, or just an scuffed shot. I will still give him the benefit of the doubt and give him the Man Of The Match award for the Whitecaps. As the initial pass to create that second penalty draw was so outstanding.