Los Angeles FC defender Erik Dueñas, center, tries to recover the ball defended by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A Los Angeles FC fan holds up a scarf prior to the start of an MLS soccer match between the Los Angeles FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Stipe Biuk moves the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios kicks the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (24) tries to recover the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela reacts to a referee call during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, center, deflects the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, dribbles the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, vies for the ball with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinovic during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, left, deflects a goal shot by Vancouver Whitecaps forward Sergio Cordova during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, vies for the ball with Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Smoke fills the air in the supporters section after Los Angeles FC scores a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini moves the ball across the field against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, vies for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, right, looks to pass against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, kicks the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
A Los Angeles FC fan pulls on his jersey during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo looks on during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, back, tries to recover the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas, center, during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Second from right, Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy catches the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Stipe Biuk, left, tries to recover the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios, right, chases Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, moves the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, reacts after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga reacts after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LOS ANGELES — The Vancouver Whitecaps ended a 15-match winless streak on the road in Major League Soccer, upsetting the Los Angeles Football Club 3-2 at BMO Stadium on Saturday.
During two CONCACAF Champions League encounters in April, Vancouver (6-5-7, 25 points) was unable to score once over 180 minutes against LAFC.
But by the 23rd minute of their first MLS encounter of the year, the Whitecaps had scored twice to secure a lead they would not relinquish.
Adjustments from the Whitecaps against a depleted LAFC back line paid off.
Thin at center back due to injuries and international call-ups, Cherundolo started midfielder Ilie Sanchez alongside Denil Maldonado, Ryan Hollingshead and Diego Palacios.
With Giorgio Chiellini on the bench until the final 20 minutes following a full-time performance against Seattle on Wednesday, the scenario set up well for Vancouver’s sizable center forwards Brian White and Sergio Cordova.
“We wanted our two guys to start very close and do opposite movements in order to create 1-v-1s and attack the defenders in open space,” said Vancouver head coach Vanni Sartini. “It went very well.”
LAFC’s second MLS defeat at home in three matches ended a two-game winning streak.
The opening half was a mad dash, and at the final whistle the Western Conference sides totalled 33 shots, 18 on frame.
After scoring the second fastest goal in club history on Wednesday (officially 53 seconds), LAFC had the tables turned on them.
Another big presence in the box, 6-foot-2 Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinovic, initiated the scoring with the earliest goal against LAFC this year and their fifth quickest concession all-time, one minute and 55 seconds into the match.
A headed finish by the Serbian off a corner kick from midfielder Ryan Gauld set the first half as LAFC was forced to defend multiple crosses into the box that challenged defenders and goalkeeper John McCarthy.
Vancouver’s second goal occurred after a giveaway by Jose Cifuentes on Vancouver’s side of the field that forced Maldonado and Sanchez to scramble and defend a three-on-two counter attack.
With the ball pushed out to the left, Cordova and White camped out on the near and far posts, sandwiching McCarthy. Gauld’s pass cleared Sanchez’s head as White rose to meet it, and his header floated over the LAFC goalkeeper into the side netting.
“If you’re going to play with forwards like that you better put the ball up there and that’s what they did,” said LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo. “You put yourself in a 2-0 hole and it’s hard to come back from. And I think that was the issue tonight.”
Sartini called LAFC the best team in North America when they met in Champions League, and said his mind remains unchanged after a 1-1 draw against the Supporters’ Shield leaders FC Cincinnati last week in Canada.
“For me they’re still the favorite to win MLS Cup,” Sartini said about LAFC, noting the absences of Aaron Long, Jesus Murillo, Kellyn Acosta and other important options for Cherundolo on Saturday.
LAFC still had its leading scorer, forward Denis Bouanga, who gave the Black & Gold some life when he connected on his 11th goal of the year prior to the half.
A multi-pass combination between Hollingshead, Stipe Biuk and Carlos Vela ended deep in the Whitecaps box, creating a tremendous chance for Hollingshead directly in front of Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
The save spilled toward Bouanga, who coolly made it a one-goal game.
Gauld, the Whitecaps captain, added a goal to go with two assists when, in the 63rd minute, a point blank save by McCarthy from a Cordova shot rolled to the edge of the box. The Scotsman hit a low skidder to secure Vancouver’s first victory at BMO Stadium in eight matches.
It was the first time since August of 2021 that a team scored three times against LAFC at BMO Stadium.
“Any time you concede three goals at home it’s tough to win and in the end we don’t deserve it,” Cherundolo said.
