Vancouver Whitecaps v Los Angeles Galaxy – The First MLS Win Of The Season Story In Pictures

Posted on April 2, 2017 by Michael McColl in MLS with 0 Comments

Is it going to be the case of always expect the unexpected with Vancouver Whitecaps this season?

We certainly didn’t see this one coming, especially after falling 2-1 behind, but the ‘Caps showed a fighting spirit and some exciting, attacking play that’s solely been missing from home games so far this season to come away with a 4-2 victory over LA Galaxy on Saturday night. Their first win of the new MLS season.

Matias Laba was the unlikely two-goal goalscoring hero, even grabbing a career first goal with his head. Who knew he had this in his locker and only needed a decent midfield partner to be in there alongside of him to bring it out?!

Laba grabbed the last two goals after Cristian Techera had given the ‘Caps a first half lead before being pegged back and going in at half time 2-1 down. Super sub Fredy Montero tied things up at two apiece, in what was an enjoyable game on the whole. LA’s control of a chunk of it midway through not so much, but the ‘Caps were well worthy of their three points by the end.

With a trip to the dreadful looking Real Salt Lake next week, the ‘Caps spell of five of their next six matches on the road may not be quite so daunting or season damaging after all. Onwards and upwards. Let’s hope there’s more of the same to come.

AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game. Here’s his “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.

[Also check out Tom’s website www.residualimagephotography.com for more of his photos and work].

A hero enters

Your winning Whitecaps starting XI

Early ‘Caps pressure sees the ‘Bug’, Cristian Techera, looking like the player from 2015

Buzzing throughout, Techera pounced on the first of several mistakes from LA keeper Clement Diop

Showing a composed head to fire Vancouver into a 19th minute lead

The ‘Caps first home goal of the new season at the third attempt

And the ‘Caps should have had a chance to double their lead when Alphonso Davies was clipped in the box by Jelle van Damme, but no penalty was awarded

But with the ‘Caps looking comfortable, up stepped LA DP Romaine Alessandrini to change the game, crashing a fierce 26th minute shot off the near post

Then off David Ousted’s head and over the line

FFS

Worse was to come four minutes later when the Frenchman drilled home the go ahead goal for LA after some nice build up play

Was this going to be another bad night at the home office for Vancouver?

Was starting to look that way when Jordan Harvey went down in the box and again, no penalty was given

Then as half time approached, the adventure that was Diop came rushing out of his box, injuring Erik Hurtado and leaving his goal open, but Techera couldn’t make it pay

With LA wasting some chances to put the game away, the ‘Caps came storming back and Techera forced Diop into a save

But the rebound came to half time sub Fredy Montero who fired home from close range to make it 2-2 in the 66th minute

Then just over a minute later Matias Laba dispossessed LA on the kick off, setting up a move that ended with him drilling home from just outside the box to give Vancouver the lead once again

Oh the joy!

Christian Bolanos nearly made it four for Vancouver but Ashley Cole got back for a fantastic goalline clearance

But not to be denied, Laba popped up again to head home another rebound from a Diop save with three minutes remaining to secure the 4-2 victory

And send the ‘Caps fans into raptures and home happy

All that was left was for new addition Tony Tchani does his first Humba with Curva Collective

You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below: