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Photo Courtesy: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
Vancouver Whitecaps Sink San Diego, Clinch Spot In MLS Final
By For the first time in club history, the Vancouver Whitecaps are heading to the Major League Soccer Cup Final.
The high-flying ‘Caps sunk MLS newcomers San Diego 3-1 in the western conference final, securing themselves a ticket to face Messi’s Inter Miami FC in Florida on December 6.
The Whitecaps, who also won the Canadian Championship earlier this season, had the best of San Diego from early on. It took just six minutes for the side to pull in front, with a high-press turnover seeing the ‘Caps produce a beautiful team goal with Andres Cubas and Ali Ahmed combining to send Brian White a tap-in for his first playoff goal this year:
The ‘Caps pressure didn’t stop there as they continued to outpass San Diego in the final third. Just three minutes later, Emmanuel Sabbi received a tight pass in the box and forced a good stop from San Diego’s Pablo Sisniega, who rebounded the ball into the middle of the box. Ali Ahmed ran got it first, firing a shot that was cleared off the line by Manu Duah – but then the ball hit the back of Sisniega and went right into the net, with the own goal putting the Whitecaps 2-0 up after just ten minutes.
Snapdragon Stadium would feel quiet as the Whitecaps put the finishing touches on a three-nil lead just before half time, with Ali Ahmed once again involved. The 25-year-old burst down the left flank and sent in an aerial ball for Brian White, who chested it down and over the line to score an unorthodox but purposeful goal, extending the Whitecaps’ lead to three.
San Diego was lucky not to concede again as the second half saw a continued theme of Whitecaps pressure, with Manu Duah making some amends for his earlier own goal with a fan off-the-line headed clearance after the ‘keeper found himself well-beaten.
Despite the game going against them, San Diego searched for a lifeline and found a pulse with a Hirving Lozano hot in the sixtieth minute taking a hefty deflection that caught Yohei Takaoka out.
Things wouldn’t trend in San Diego’s direction, however, with the Whitecaps elite passing carving out space and forcing Sisniega to run out of his box in an effort to nab the ball from Ryan Gauld. Instead, he caught the ‘Caps captain and recieved a straight red card, with 19-year-old Duran Ferree making his first team debut as an emergency substitute.
Ferree would be called into action, but held firm as the Whitecaps saw out the rest of the match to finish 3-1 victors and carve out the the title of Western Conference Champions for themselves.
For the first time in the club’s history, the Vancouver Whitecaps have now booked a ticket for the MLS Cup Final on December 6, where Thomas Muller and the ‘Caps will square off against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
Photo Courtesy: Vancouver Whitecaps FC
