VANCOUVER, BC – Brian White was the story of the game today. He was able to find two goals against a resilient York United FC backline and helped the Whitecaps win 2-1 at BC Place. York United FC played well defensively. However, Vancouver had control of the pace of play and had most of the scoring chances.
Brian White helps the Vancouver Whitecaps FC advance to the Canadian Championship Final
Three keys to the game
Full Game Summary:
Brian White was the difference-maker, scoring two goals for the #VWFC.
The Whitecaps played good defence, which includes blocking five shots.
Vancouver had most of the possession and the scoring chances against #YorkUnitedFC.#VANvYRK | 2-1 | #CanChamp
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 23, 2022
First half
York had control of the ball in the first minute and a half of the game. Whitecaps drew the first corner of the game in the third minute of play. York then lost the ball in the fourth minute. Hernandez then made a terrific defensive play in the 13-minute, to clear the ball for a Whitecaps corner. Christopher N’sa blocked Brian White’s shot for another Vancouver corner in the 16-minute. Then, the Whitecaps almost scored in the 17-minute but were not able to make contact with the ball. Cristin Dajome’s shot was easily stopped by Niko Giantsopoulos. Ryan Gauld tried to feed the ball to Brian White in the 20-minute. It was a warning of possible things to come for Vancouver.
Brian White’s cross was too high in the 25-minute, who got a great cross from Russell Teibert. Ryan Gauld’s header just missed the net. Whitecaps number 22, Godoy, made a great defensive player in the 32-minute. Dajome’s header was not curled enough. Diyaeddine Abzi’s shot was easily stopped by Whitecaps goalkeeper, Cody Cropper, in the 36-minute. Zator made it hard for Cavallini to make the header happen in the 38-minute. Osaze De Rosario had a few choices in the 43-minute. Max Max Ferrari did a great job of stealing the ball and turning possession into their favour.
Second half
York started the half well. DeRosario’s delivered a cross to Max Ferrari, whose header missed the net. Jordan Wilson cleared the ball in the 48-minute for York United. Dominick Zator then made a great clearance in the 52-minute.
53’ The #VWFC opens the scoring! Brian White gets himself in a good position as he is the first to the ball after Ryan Raposo’s shot hit the post! #OneSoccer#VANvYRK | 1-0 | #CanChamppic.twitter.com/SwcNpCPBMr
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 23, 2022
It looked like York was gaining momentum. However, the York goalkeeper, Giantsopoulos, was caught out of position because of Ryan Raposo’s shot hitting the post. Brian White took advantage of that opportunity, as he got to the ball first after Raposo’s shot hit the post to score the goal.
73’ #VWFC doubles their lead! A well-worked goal as Ryan Gauld delivers a terrific cross and Brian White connects on the cross and scores his second goal of the game! #OneSoccer#VANvYRK | 2-0 | #CanChamppic.twitter.com/5zJj4MTDTn
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 23, 2022
Abzi did well to win a corner for York in the 61-minute. Then, Abzi delivered a terrific free-kick, which forced Cropper to make a good save and prevent Zator from getting the rebound. However, once again, it was Vancouver who would score the goal. Ryan Gauld made a terrific cross to Brian White, who connected with the cross perfectly to double Vancouver’s lead.
84’ #YorkUnitedFC cuts the deficit in half! Isaiah Johnston's shot gets past the #VWFC goalkeeper, Cody Cropper and Mouhamadou Kane were credited with the assist. #OneSoccer#VANvYRK | 2-1 | #CanChamppic.twitter.com/l5HmzUj835
— Last Word on Soccer (@LastWordSC) June 23, 2022
Isaiah Johnston did make the game interesting to tie the game. It was a well-worked goal with great teamwork required. The goal was assisted by Mouhamadou Kane. The Whitecaps were really troubling York late in the second half in stoppage time and really should have added a third goal. However, Vancouver still got the job done and they advanced to the Canadian Championship for the first time since 2018.
Full Game Analysis
York United FC played well defensively, but they gave up too much possession of the game and many scoring opportunities against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. The Whitecaps had about 60 percent of the possession and had most of the scoring opportunities of the game.
The Whitecaps will continue to play at home in BC Place. They will then host the New England Revolution on June 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET and Los Angeles FC on July 2 at 10:00 p.m. ET. York will also host Valour FC at York Lions Stadium on June 26 at 12:00 p.m. ET. They will then play in Clarke Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta against FC Edmonton at 6:00 p.m. ET.
The game against LAFC will be shown live on KCOP 13 and Estrella TV. Also, the game against New England will be shown live on TV38 & MyRITV. Lastly, both games will be televised nationally in Canada on TSN1 and TSN4. This is while all York United FC games will continue to be shown live on OneSoccer and Telus. Vancouver now has a golden opportunity to win their second Voyageurs Cup. They will host Toronto FC (TFC defeated CF Montreal 4-0 at BMO Field), a team they never defeated in the Canadian Championship, at BC Place.
Three takeaways:
Diyaeddine Abzi’s last game as a York United FC player. Abzi has played a big role with York this year. This included scoring a goal in the Canadian Championship against Atlético Ottawa. He will leave CPL and play in France’s Ligue 2 with Pau FC.
York United FC has now played all three MLS teams. York has played all three MLS teams. Unfortunately, they have been eliminated by all three Canadian Championship teams. In 2019, York was eliminated by CF Montreal. York United FC then got eliminated by Toronto FC 4-0 at BMO Field in 2021.
Brian White was the player of the game. White was the reason why the Whitecaps are moving to their first Canadian Championship Final since 2018. On his first goal, he was in the right position at the right time, and for the second goal, he timed his shot perfectly from Ryan Gauld’s cross.
