Record Crowd – Whitecaps Play To Draw

Photo Credit D. Laird Allan/Sportswave

One might say |when it rains it pours” and that could be the same when different events are scheduled in Vancouver at or near the same time.

Such was the case as the Vancouver Whitecaps were playing their 50th Anniversary game against Austin FC.

Regardless, the Whitecaps 32,464 faithful showed up to watch one of the more exciting matches (as we were told) that will clearly bring fans back to BC Place for future games.

Let’s not forget that the history of the original Whitecaps dates back to December 11th, 1973 that saw them play in the North American Soccer League in which the  founding investors were: Herb Capozzi as the President with the GM role filled by Denny Veitch.

It’s reported by some that Veitch is given the credit for the name after (apparently) looking at the Whitecaps on the North Shore Mountains, noting that the logo was unveiled June 8th, 2010. 

Sadly they dropped their first home game to the Earthquake May 5th, 1974 (ironic it’s the day of posting this) and continues to impress the Whitecap faithfull to this day.

Last night (May the fourth be with you) they played host to Austin FC in what some have mentioned was a thriller ending in a nil-nil draw with both having their chances through the ninety minutes.

One might say that the march was a lopsided affair given the fact that Vancouver outshot Austin by a dominating 23 to four – yup that’s not a misprint where the ‘Caps played till the final whistle.. 

Cap’s Fafà Picault managed to send one to Adekugbe for a well timed the set-up that saw Austin FC clear it out, keeping the match scoreless.

Austin’s Brad Stuver managed his first official save after a cross by Brian White that looks as though Ryan Gauld had given the Whitecaps the go-ahead goal but video review overturned the goal due to a handball on Picault.

Whitecaps FC continued to press Austin until the half but try as they might the first half remained scoreless. 

To no surprise the second half started the way the first half ended with both clubs pressing that saw the Caps get chances in the box in the first 10 minutes only to be turned aside after the strong play by the “D.”

Vancouver’s Picault came close to putting the Cap’s up in a desperation attempt for a header following a cross only to have it go wide past the post that saw Cap’s Ryan Gauld have a chance but again denied. 

With time against them it wasn’t until the 75th minute that saw Brian Whyte deliver one to Ryan Gauld  but this one was off target going somewhat wide of where it was intended to go.

The Whitecaps FC are in action again this coming Tuesday, May 7 at the Voyageurs Cup in the TELUS Canadian Championship which is the first leg against Cavalry FC.

They don’t return home for two matches late in May as they host Cavalry FC in the second leg of the TELUS Canadian Championship May 21 with the kick-off set fort 7:30 followed by a match against Inter Miami FC May 25 at 7:30 p.m.

 PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

MATCH DETAILS – (Thanks to the Whitecaps FC)

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Andrés Cubas

Attendance: 32,465,   Referee: Marcos DeOliveira II

Scoring Summary – None

Statistics

Possession: VAN 62.2% – ATX 37.8%,    Shots: VAN 23 – ATX 4

Shots on Goal: VAN 7 – ATX 1,                Saves: VAN 7 – ATX 1

Fouls: VAN 5 – ATX 10,                            Offsides: VAN 1 – ATX 1

Corners: VAN 10 – ATX 2