Whitecaps vs LAFC Post Match Reaction: Controversy and defeat concludes the Whitecaps season

LAFC advances to the next round in the playoffs. While the Whitecaps are packing their bags and leaving from the 2023 season, following the 1-0 defeat. With a penalty for LAFC scored by Denis Bouanga in the 24th minute which is the difference maker in this one in Game 2 of the First Round of the Western Conference. While the Whitecaps, couldn't create many opportunities due to some subpar passing play to get towards the direct scoring chances. As some minor mistakes, majorly cost the Whitecaps the season and to further advance from the MLS Cup.

End of 2023

Is it fascinating to think that this season is already over? Didn't seem long ago where the season began. But now, the 2023 campaign for the Whitecaps comes to a close. Not the optimal way to finish off a season, in a crushing way as well. Looking back, there was a reason why the Vancouver Whitecaps felt so brief. As there were glimpses of this team playing an extremely attractive and entertaining brand of soccer, with entertainment being displayed with this team all throughout the 2023 season. Just the culture and the foundation is already built and prepared for the following season, where the Whitecaps have higher ambitions to continue on what the Whitecaps has successfully constructed this season. But man, could there have been a more baffling fashion to cap off the campaign. Quite a bit of pain to experience, as we knew this match was an extremely controversial soccer game. But the Whitecaps could have also certainly also done their portion better as well. So possibly an unsanitary course of action, which ultimately cost the Whitecaps a further opportunity to continue in the MLS Cup playoffs.

Other factors

Despite the controversy and questionable refereeing. There were a handful of moments where the Whitecaps could and should have done better in certain areas on the pitch. For example, as I have mentioned. Balls were being overhit by the Caps players, it wasn't a good time for some of the Whitecaps' star players to not place passes well. As some passes were not direct enough. Some were just barely overhit, but was still enough for the opposition to take advantage of it. To put quite simply, there just wasn't enough precision in the passing department. There weren't enough comprehensive balls being played behind, some lacked the power to make the player continue to sprint. Only dangerous opportunity coming from a series of build up play, was the one White got in the 84th minute where he got a free header. That's the only opportunity where I was fazed and was anxious, as that was a major opportunity. Other than that, nothing sticks to my mind. Another thing, maybe we don't have to overcomplicate some decisions. As it seems like at various different moments, we seem to be indecisive whether to pass or shoot. That at times, cost the Whitecaps and cut the season short. As at times, you can just take a crack at it. Attempt a shot from distance, to at least test the goalkeeper. Something that the Vancouver Whitecaps struggles with in this match, the decision making. Despite five shots on target is a decent amount, those five shots weren't dangerous, and were measly not hit with enough pace most of the time.

It is intriguing to observe and see how this team usually responds after a goal being conceded. In this case, the Whitecaps seemed to have had the upper hand in the second half. However, it didn't seem like Bouanga scored that penalty, onwards to the time period of halftime. It seems like LAFC was the better team during that period. As that could have used more intensity and more leadership, from when Bouanga got LAFC in front to the halftime whistle. I believe that the intensity was immensely lacking during that time frame. The Whitecaps could've at least generated some momentum heading into halftime, to regroup and be dialed in to score that equaliser. But in this one, so much time to get that, but still no end result. With it seeming like the passion and intensity was not at the level where it was supposed to be in a Do or Die occasion. It didn't feel like the Whitecaps persisted as much as they should've in this kind of match, especially in minutes 24-45. Where it was most likely, the best opportunity to generate more chances to eventually draw this game back level. But no attacking play was really created in that period, unable to get into harmful scoring positions. I think, if the Whitecaps found a way to at least have some urgency to build off of the 30,000 cheering them on in that pivotal time period, they would've figured a way to at least get this into a shootout. Once they came out of the locker room, and refocused I feel like the attacking play was drastically better. The intensity of the players, and the determination to get the equalizer seemed to be better. And finally, they fed off of the energy of 30,000 and remembered the end goal. As I really believed that it was severely unlucky that the Caps failed to get the goal in the second half. It really felt like they deserved one. The urgency and commitment was back, and it seemed like they were desperate. Playing tough, doing whatever that is necessary to win. Playing with intensity and persistence. Being in control of the match. Not allowing LAFC to continue the onslaught performance, in terms of chances invented and the team that wanted to win more. But the passing play ultimately deducted the opportunities for Vancouver and cost them big time. The Whitecaps did a lot of things right in the second half, other than score that all-important goal.

Attendance

The Whitecaps have broken their all-time attendance record in the MLS era. Tallying 30,204 people in the stands to watch this crucial playoff game, (first playoff game in Vancouver in six years) . With the abundance of people, BC Place was again rocking. Almost being a major appeasement in this game, as it felt like that the Whitecaps was playing on the supporter's back. Unfortunately, it didn't end up mattering. But it is fantastic to observe that the demand for soccer in Vancouver is there. Is just that, they will have to integrate all the correct pieces to possibly attract an attendance of a significant amount more consistently. I believe in the future, both the Whitecaps and the fans will show out more. As I've mentioned, this is only the beginning of things to come in the future. We've all seen it show here though, this team can attract loads of people into the stands in monumental matches. This is only the first round! Can you imagine if an MLS Cup Final gets hosted in Vancouver? How high the demand will be for tickets will be insane. But in order for that to happen, something that has kind of been lurking in the shadows where some people aren't mentioning is that. The Whitecaps don't seem to show out the best in front of a ginormous crowd. With this loss, the Whitecaps have now disappointed twice this season when the attendance number is above 25,000. First on the Decision Day draw, which I'd imagine would be really frustrating being in that stadium after the match. Now this where you get above 30,000 and you fail to capitalize and score a goal. Usually winning matches is how you attract customers to return and come to BC Place to watch another game. So potentially, an possible improvement which will most likely improve the marketing and attractiveness of other viewers. But still there is immense potential for this BC Place crowd, as it was evident on Sunday that the game of Soccer is growing in popularity and on a huge occasion fans will show up and watch.

Game Recap

Smart build up play by LAFC, results in Gonzalez being marked tightly inside the box and he falls down and the referee awards a penalty. Tim Ford says Blackmon was the player who committed the foul.

It is Bouanga who steps up to take this vitally crucial penalty. He makes no mistake with it placing it in the top right, Takaoka dove the wrong way. That was just a very well-taken penalty by Bouanga. To place his team up front, away from home in a decisive Game 2.

There was a corner from the left flag, swung in by Acosta. Gets through all the players in the box and falls for Tillman unexpectedly who challenges Takaoka and is denied. Adekugbe fails to clear further than Bouanga, who takes a long distance effort, something that he is an expert at and Takaoka reaches out with his arm to prevent that from going in.

Acosta plays it to Tillman, he strikes from outside the box hitted with force and keeps it on the ground, another stop made by Takaoka.

The pressure by the Whitecaps, as an LAFC defender plays it back to Crepeau and White unexpectedly rapidly ran to the goalkeeper and when Crepeau attempted to clear. White got the bottom of the boot on the clearance but it takes a bounce on the ground and bounces over. What a storyline that would have been, and BC Place would've had a massive mockery for him if that would have gone in. A close unforced error by Crepeau.

Halftime arrives and LAFC strikes first on visiting territory.

Laryea was dribbling into the box, within the first minute of the second half and it seems like he was pushed softly by the LAFC player and play continued.

Crossed in by Adekugbe to begin the second half, and Ahmed got a piece of it on the header. Crepeau with the diving denial.

Raposo swung in the corner, and it was cleared by LAFC. Schopf was charging to take a shot, prepared but Tim Ford knocked him down and didn't give a whistle. The play instigated by Vela after a steal on Veselinovic after that collision, he plays a ball forward which Bouanga slotted home and Vancouver is absolutely furious with referee Tim Ford. The goal was later disallowed after a further VAR check (the only one this match).

Great play by Vancouver, Gauld precisely crosses into White who is unmarked but he heads it right to Crepeau's gloves. In those areas, it is usually the speciality Brian White to bury those opportunities being left open.

Last play of the match, LAFC clears the initial ball in. It falls for Gauld outside the area, he takes a trivela where Crepeau acrobatically dives and hangs on, not allowing a rebound opportunity.

The final whistle blows, and the Whitecaps have been eliminated from the MLS playoffs, after getting swept by LAFC and losing this one in an unorthodox and unpleasant fashion.

Referee

Sunday night's head referee was Tim Ford. He really made some extremely questionable decisions and was unable to carve out some bad decisions. As after the match, the backlash against the referee was louder than ever. From the coach all the way to the commentators and supporters. It doesn't feel like anyone has had a more demanding night than Tim Ford. With difficult decisions flying by left, right and center. That doesn't indicate that he has had a good match officiating, but there were a handful of hard decisions to whistle down. But Vanni Sartini certainly didn't give any sympathy to the referee. After being ejected from a match, after seemingly saying some unknown stuff. As he was absolutely livid down the sidelines on the pitch after Schopf was knocked down. He did admit to it at the end of season availability and took accountability for his actions. Saying that it wasn't a "malicious or violent intent of my words". While others like TSN commentator Steven Caldwell commented that it was a "disgraceful performance". And the supporters expressed their anger in throwing objects at the referee when leaving the pitch at the end of the game. While players like Adekugbe and Laborda (who came off the bench and confronted the ref) were also fuming with Tim Ford after he knocked down Alessandro Schopf. Several different points of view, as some supporters claimed that Tim Ford yelled at the supporters as well. There will be disciplinary actions handed towards Vanni Sartini, with the red card is already an automatic 1 game suspension. But there may be further actions, being charged for Vanni Sartini. While different Whitecaps players like Sam Adekugbe and Mathias Laborda might face some punishments as well, as both of them (and some others) were fuming at Tim Ford at the end of the match adding on to the frustration that they showed at the 93rd minute. Some people anticipate a 1 match suspension to start off the 2024 season, while others believe that it is an over exaggeration. We will see what the final wording will be.

Did Tim Ford get the most crucial decisions correct? I don't think so. Was that a penalty for LAFC? Possibly, but you only see that slight contact between Gonzalez and Blackmon. It genuinely looks like Tristan Blackmon successfully poked the ball to Takaoka without making much fuss. While Veselinovic was the one in my opinion, who was questionable in that instinct. I thought he may have been the player that tripped up Gonzalez, as it felt like the contact was also mostly committed by Veselinovic. What really frustrated me, was that when Richie Laryea got the same amount of contact the referee did not even consider pointing at the spot. While the contact between Gonzalez and Blackmon was probably the exact same for Laryea and Murillo. Even though, part of it looked like Laryea was the person who tripped Murillo down instead of the other way around. There was no consistency on the calls, as if the call for one way it has to be called the other way too if the contact is similar. At the beginning of the second half, Laryea was again pushed down inside the box and again a no penalty call. I believed that the contact may have been even more severe than the LAFC one but still no signal by Tim Ford. Something that also disturbed me, was that they never went to VAR to go check a penalty call. The VAR referee has to ask Ford over, as all three of those in my opinion were extremely questionable and difficult decisions where you need assistance with. So I didn't think the VAR referee made his night any easier either. The most controversial moment of the night is when Tim Ford completely knocks down Schopf on a corner kick. Where it may have been Vancouver's final opportunity to save their season. Schopf was charging to take a shot, before being bumped down by Tim Ford. Then Los Angeles FC went the length of the pitch and it was ruled offside later on. That was a correct decision by Tim Ford, finally utilising VAR and Bouanga was in front of Carlos Vela while the goalkeeper was out. That indicates you will have to play it backwards, or Bouanga will have to get in line with Vela since there was only one defender back. Either Bouanga has to be in line or behind the second opposition defender, or he needs to be behind the person who passes to him. A handful of decisions, that Tim Ford was challenged and had to make hard decisions. But he didn't check VAR for any of the penalty calls, which was highly controversial as all three had arguments to be called a penalty. The Schopf incident just added to the frustration of the fans, and it definitely caused multiple headlines.

Man Of The Match

I really couldn't look beyond Takaoka. He was the primary reason why this game wasn't beyond reach. Takaoka kept it a one goal game, after numerous opportunities to extend the lead for LAFC. He was sensational, his reflexes were on point on Sunday evening. With multiple saves being vital, to just save the Whitecaps season and allow the Whitecaps to have another chance. Making a couple of pivotal stops, both before halftime and after halftime. Only conceding 1 goal, throughout the match. Making 6 saves in this match, some of them could have gone into the back of the net. But Yohei Takaoka was dialled in and was comprehensively focused and made a few key saves, to keep the Whitecaps in the game. Just to yield possibilities, to keep the Caps in the game while making a handful of key saves. It was the type of match for Takaoka to have one of his best games of the campaign. As he was instrumental, here against LAFC to maintain a chance for the Whitecaps to equalise. But unfortunately it never came, concluding the Vancouver Whitecaps season. For me, Takaoka is the Man Of The Match for the Whitecaps in this one. Despite the brilliance from Yohei Takaoka.