Photo Epic - Whitecaps FC vs New York City FC - Apr 11, 2024

VANCOUVER - "Cool" Said Brian White when informed that he scored the club's 700th goal. A very nonchalant way to celebrate a 2-0 win against New York City FC, the club's 700th goal, and being elevated to the top of the league, oh and the 4th clean sheet for Yohei Takaoka in the first 7 games of the regular season.

Opportunities for the Whitecaps began early, Brian White alone had 4 opportunities in the first half, all of them ending up just slightly wide or saved by the opposing keeper. It took until the 45th minute for a Sebastian Berhalter free kick to be redirected into the back of the net by Mathías Laborda for the scoring to open.

Ending the half with a goal in hand was much needed as the match continued into the second half with big stops from the opposing keeper, and chances being taken away on either side. NYCFC had their fair share of opportunities as well; a free kick skimming the crossbar, a quick breakaway looked like it was going to make it to the box but was blocked at the last second.

While the two sides traded possession and chances, it would take until the 87th minute for Brian White to finally capitalize on the numerous chances in the evening, taking a short lob for a header in the box from Bruno Caicedo, fresh off the bench, for a back post goal that would seal the match at 2-0.

With the win in hand, the Whitecaps sit atop the MLS Standings, best in the league, and have two more home games in the month of April before the long World Cup break.

Match Report (via MLS)
Scoring Summary
45’ – VAN – Mathías Laborda (Sebastian Berhalter)
87’ – VAN – Brian White (Bruno Caicedo)

Statistics
Possession: VAN 47% - NYC 53%
Shots: VAN 23 - NYC 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 10 - NYC 2
Saves: VAN 2 - NYC 8
Fouls: VAN 16 - NYC 8
Offsides: VAN 2 - NYC 2
Corners: VAN 12 - NYC 5

Cautions
53’ – VAN – Andrés Cubas
80’ – VAN – Oliver Larraz