Vancouver Whitecaps: Three Key Takeaways vs. LA Galaxy

Second Half

Hurtado was unable to continue after halftime, having suffered a foot contusion in his collision with Diop. Fredy Montero came on in his place. Despite the change, the Galaxy continued to have the better chances.

In the 64th minute, Tony Tchani came on for his Whitecaps debut. Tchani joined the ‘Caps on Thursday as part of the trade with Columbus that saw Manneh headed the other way.

Tchani seemed to have an almost instant impact, as Vancouver were level within two minutes. Diop parried a shot from Techera. Showing a poacher’s instinct of the kind Vancouver have been missing recently, Montero reacted first to the loose ball, and the score was even.

A minute later, Techera and Montero were again involved, combining to tee up Matías Laba, of all people, at the edge of the box. Laba’s shot was on target, and suddenly Vancouver were back in the lead.

The Whitecaps managed to hold on for the 20 minutes that remained, and continued to get forward. Ashley Cole made a goalline clearance from Bolaños. Then Laba, playing in his 100th MLS match for the Whitecaps, got his second of the night, this time a free header after Diop failed to hold onto Montero’s shot. It was Laba’s first ever headed goal, and his first time scoring two in one game.

The final 4-2 win is a much-needed confidence boost. Next in town are Tigres UANL of Mexico. Down 2-0 from the first leg, the Whitecaps have a seemingly impossible task ahead of them. In the post-match press conference, Robinson referred to it as “Mission Impossible”.

If Techera, Montero, and Laba can deliver on Wednesday like they did on Saturday night, it may not be as impossible after all.