Whitecaps 2, Leon 2 (16-15): Vancouver goes toe-to-toe, blow-for-blow with the very best on the continent

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For two ^1/2 hours, the Vancouver Whitecaps battled the anointed greatest group in North America to a standstill. They fell behind, they battled again, they took the lead, they conceded, then absorbed crashing waves of assaults.

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There have been 4 objectives after 96 minutes of regulation play, adopted by a shootout that stretched to an unbelievable 38 pictures, the final of which was Luis Martins’ blast ricocheting off the publish to finish the sudden loss of life competitors.

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León, the reigning CONCACAF Champions League winners, escaped B.C. Place with the victory, formally a 2-2 (16-15) outcome, of their Leagues Cup kickoff.

The Whitecaps, capturing second, had three possibilities to win it when Leon gamers missed. However Andres Cubas and Martins — in back-to-back possibilities — couldn’t convert their pictures, hitting the publish and being saved by Rodolfo Cota, respectively. Then Matias Laborda hit the crossbar on his profitable try 4 rounds later, kicking off a string the place each groups transformed 10 straight till Borja Sanchez scored for Leon and Martins hit the woodwork.

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“The primary 15, 20 minutes, after which proper after the we conceded the purpose, we had very quarter-hour very dangerous, to be sincere. We have been a bit bit in confusion and Leon might have scored a second purpose,” mentioned Caps coach Vanni Sartini. “Then undeservedly we tied. And after the tie, the second half truly was implausible. The second half we smashed them. We appeared just like the Champions League winner, like the primary half they appeared just like the Champions League winner. So I believe that on the finish, the tie is, is the appropriate rating.

“The best way that we performed … in opposition to the group that received the Champions League only some months in the past, it’s actually the very best group in continent and it didn’t appear to have a giant distinction between them and us.”

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León will now journey to L.A. to tackle the Galaxy of their second sport on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) earlier than the Whitecaps make their very own go to to Dignity Well being Sports activities Park on Saturday, July 29.

The Whitecaps earned a single level with the shootout loss to the reigning CONCACAF Champions League cup holders, whereas Leon go atop Group C with the win.

Ryan Gauld, who transformed each of his makes an attempt, shook his head over the seemingly endless parade of shooters going to the south finish of B.C. Place.

“All of us obtained to the stage the place we have been considering that it wouldn’t finish. It was a good normal of penalties, and it simply got here all the way down to them being luckier,” he mentioned. “I don’t know if lots of the boys, for us or for them, have been by way of what, 19 penalties every? I don’t see many individuals going by way of that of their profession.”

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Ivan Moreno opened the scoring for Leon within the twenty third minute, and it appeared like they’d run away with it, however Sergio Cordova equalized within the forty fourth minute, then put the Caps in entrance within the 57th.

However the Liga MX aspect was dominating possession and placing the Caps beneath intense stress, and Elias Hernandez knotted it up with a one-timer from 25 yards that Yohei Takaoka had no likelihood at stopping.

Sartini described the purpose post-game by merely clapping his approval.

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After going goalless in eight begins and 694 minutes for the Whitecaps, Cordova has exploded. He now has 4 objectives in three video games throughout all competitions, repeating the sample he confirmed at Actual Salt Lake final season, when seven of his 9 objectives got here within the late phases.

“I believe his place is the place of the second half when he performs one of many No. 10s on the appropriate. He’s not the No. 9, for my part,” Sartini mentioned. “The primary half he scored a lovely purpose, however I believe within the second half, the 35 minutes that he performed, he was dominant. Attacking, defending, urgent, having possibilities … that is the Sergio that we that we wish to see each sport.”

Gauld’s help on Cordova’s second purpose pushed the Scot over the brink to change into the membership’s all-time chief in assists within the MLS period, with 27.

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“It’s a very good feeling,” he mentioned. “I wish to base my sport on creating possibilities for the blokes up prime. Fortunately, 27 occasions means they’ve put the ball behind the web.”

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B.C. Place was stuffed with whistles and singing, with 17,391 in full throated music at occasions, although the *cough cough* Leon’s share needed to be the green-clad guests.

Leon had 65 per cent possession, however solely outshot Vancouver — who have been deadly on their counters — 11-8. The Whitecaps had two pictures heading in the right direction, each objectives, to Leon’s 4.

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