Qualifiers must wait for LAFC after draw with Whitecaps

With great urgency, LAFC took the Vancouver Whitecaps in search of three of their last six points that would give them a chance to jump from square nine into the playoffs qualifying zone.

LAFC received the Canadians on Tuesday on the penultimate day to finish ninth with 44 points, desperate for a win, so they started the game in a hurry at the Bank of California. However, gunpowder didn’t give them much, and they could barely draw 1-1 and remain in the ninth box with 45 points, two points behind LA Galaxy, which occupies the last post-season berth.

Christian Dagoumi started playing for the Whitecaps in the first half, while Mamadou Val leveled things up at the end of the first half.

When the LAFC kept pressure on visitation and in a counterattack, he allowed the Angelenos’ agony to prolong.

Sebastian Ibiga tried to tackle the ball in the middle of the field and stand between two opponents, but ended up losing the ball, giving Vancouver the possibility of surprise. Dájome received a pass in the penalty area from Brian White on the left and the Colombian controlled the shot from close range and beat Jamal Blackman 1-0 in the 15th minute.

Bob Bradley’s number eleven had many good and obvious, but the Canadian goalkeeper was inspiring and showed good reflexes to avoid parity.

LAFC scored a desperate tie at the end of the first half, after the VAR’s confirmation. After a series of bounces inside the area, Val pushed the ball which the assistant referee appears to have concluded that the pass was from one of his teammates, however, the referee confirmed that the help came from a visiting defender. It was 1-1.

In the second half, Carlos Vela entered the match after 65 minutes to achieve victory. The Mexican mobilized the attack, allowing for a more visible access, but Vancouver had a significant under-goal presence in Hasal, who also protects the Canadian team’s fence.

Cristian Arango also sought various means to extend the score, but the Colombian striker was not very good at defining it, as the Whitecaps filled the defensive part with several men. Chichu missed a header at the end of the match.

After an incident in the 77th minute, between goalkeeper and striker Brian Rodriguez, in which the Uruguayan player ended with a warning, the fans from that moment accompanied each kick with a homophobic cry of “Bo …”, which was punished. by FIFA internationally.

LAFC wraps up the regular season when they visit Colorado Rapids on Sunday (3 p.m. PT).