The Vancouver Whitecaps suffered a disappointing 1-0 loss to Cavalry FC in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals, with an own goal by Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinovic being the only scoring action of the match. Despite holding a 2-1 edge in goals from the first leg, the Whitecaps were unable to secure a win at home, forcing the tie to be decided by away goals. Cavalry’s win marked their second victory at BC Place, as they became the first CPL team to defeat an MLS team back in 2019. The Cavalry coach, Tommy Wheeldon Jr., expressed pride in his team’s performance, although he acknowledged the missed opportunity to score one more goal.
The Whitecaps struggled to create scoring opportunities throughout the match, continuing their trend of low offensive output with just three goals in their last six games. Levonte Johnson, the Whitecaps’ SuperDraft selection, had scored both goals in the first leg against Cavalry. The lackluster performance prompted Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld to admit it was their worst showing in a long time, but he remained focused on their upcoming games and the need for improvement. The Canadian Championship semifinal will also be a home-and-home series, with the winner earning a spot in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
Vanni Sartini, the Whitecaps coach, did not hold back in criticizing his team’s performance, describing it as shameful and expressing remorse to the fans. Sartini emphasized the need for the team to play better in the upcoming matches and earn their spot in the semifinals with a stronger performance. Despite the disappointing loss, the Whitecaps maintain a strong record against Canadian opponents since Sartini took over as head coach in August 2021, with a record of 10-2-2. In contrast, Cavalry’s win on Tuesday was their first road victory of the year.
The Canadian Championship competition saw Toronto FC secure a dominant 8-1 win over CS St-Laurent on the same day, advancing to the semifinals with an impressive aggregate score of 11-1. The upcoming matches in early July and late August will determine which team qualifies for the CONCACAF Champions Cup, with the Whitecaps aiming to defend their title from the previous years. Sartini stressed the importance of deserving their place in the semifinals and delivering a better performance in the upcoming matches. Despite the disappointing loss to Cavalry, the Whitecaps remain focused on their future games and the opportunity to redeem themselves.
