LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero leaps but can’t get to a shot by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, not pictured, for a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Erik Dueñas, back, vies for the ball with Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Fafà Picault during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Olivera, left, kicks the ball while chased by Vancouver Whitecaps defender Bjørn Inge Utvik during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White, center, jumps for a ball next to LAFC defender Aaron Long, right, during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC forward Cristian Olivera, front, kicks the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero is unable to save a shot by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter for a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter reacts after scoring a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, second from left, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC defender Sergi Palencia takes a shot on goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Sergi Palencia, left, collides with Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Alessandro Schöpf, right, battles for the ball against LAFC defender Erik Dueñas during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez kicks the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White, left, and LAFC defender Jesús Murillo vie for the ball during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, right, controls the ball in front of Vancouver Whitecaps defender Belal Halbouni during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinović, right, celebrates next to defender Bjørn Inge Utvik after scoring a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinović, right, celebrates with, from left, midfielder Fafà Picault, defender Bjørn Inge Utvik (15), and defender Belal Halbouni (12) after scoring a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Fafa Picault, center, vies for the ball against LAFC forward Cristian Olivera, left, and defender Erik Duenas during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Pedro Vite, center bottom, reacts to an injury while surrounded by teammates during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Fafà Picault, right, reacts to an official’s call during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, kicks the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga, right, kicks the ball in front of Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Sergi Palencia dribbles the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Aaron Long, top right, heads the ball over Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo, center, looks on from the sideline during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez, center, chases the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Ali Ahmed, left, and LAFC defender Sergi Palencia vie for the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Levonte Johnson, left, shoots as LAFC defender Aaron Long defends during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda, third from left, leaps to head the ball in front of, from left, teammate Sebastian Berhalter (16) and LAFC forwards Cristian Olivera (13) and Kei Kamara during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC forward David Martínez, center, controls the ball during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kei Kamara, top right, heads the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer for a goal late in the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Kei Kamara, right, kicks the ball in front of Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Omar Campos, right, controls the ball in front of Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward Cristian Olivera, right, vies for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Belal Halbouni during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Eduard Atuesta, left, looks to pass as Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Pedro Vite defends during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC defender Jesús Murillo, top right, heads the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps forward Levonte Johnson during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC forward David Martínez, left, receives a yellow card after fouling Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer, right, during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Ilie Sánchez, left, kicks the ball as Vancouver Whitecaps forward Brian White defends during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, celebrates with forward Denis Bouanga after scoring the game-tying goal late in the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz celebrates after scoring the game-tying goal during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz reacts after scoring the game-tying goal late in the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, bottom, celebrates with forward David Martínez after Bogusz scored the tying goal late in the second half of their Leagues Cup match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. Vancouver won in a penalty kick shootout. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini, third from left, is ejected during the second half of their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer is unable to save a penalty kick scored by LAFC midfielder Eduard Atuesta during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter reacts after scoring during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, center left, watches during the second half of a Leagues Cup group stage match between LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC forward Kei Kamara reacts after missing a shot during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match against the Vancouver Whitecaps on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Damir Kreilach, left, reacts with goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer after scoring a goal during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero is unable to save a shot by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Ryan Raposo during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero, left, goes the wrong way and misses what proved to be the decisive penalty shot by Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda during the penalty kick shootout of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda reacts after scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathías Laborda, right, celebrates with midfielder Sebastian Berhalter after scoring what proved to be the game-winning goal during a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match against LAFC on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer (32) celebrates with midfielder Ryan Raposo after their victory over LAFC in a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate after defeating LAFC in a penalty kick shootout in their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
1 of 53
LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero leaps but can’t get to a shot by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, not pictured, for a goal during the first half of their Leagues Cup group stage match on Tuesday night at BMO Stadium. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)
Expand
LOS ANGELES — A frantic finish on Tuesday night salvaged the result the Los Angeles Football Club needed to advance to the knockout stage of the Leagues Cup.
LAFC fell short of earning a second point to secure its place atop the group, however, ultimately losing to the Vancouver Whitecaps in a penalty kick shootout (4-2) to close its two-match group stage experience with four points.
But playing in front of an announced crowd of 18,351 at BMO Stadium, LAFC still walked away with its most dramatic comeback of the year, a 2-2 finish to move beyond step one of the month-long MLS-Liga MX tournament.
Goals from Kei Kamara in the 88th minute and Mateusz Bogusz in the 95th dug LAFC out of a hole that seemed insurmountable until it wasn’t.
“I really do think it’s part of this club’s DNA and it’s very important to never accept a loss and keep going until it’s imminent or over,” LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said. “I love that about this team. We see the same stuff in training. If we don’t call the guys back, they will scratch and push and poke each other until somebody wins. They love winning. It’s very important not to lose. It’s important to create a winning culture.”
In the spring, when Vancouver fell to LAFC, 3-0, at BMO Stadium in a MLS regular-season contest, the Whitecaps attempted to play with the ball and dictate the game.
This time the Whitecaps willingly conceded possession, focusing instead on denying space to LAFC’s wingers and holding down the Black & Gold’s potent transition by sitting in a lower block as their best player, attacking midfielder Ryan Gauld, did not suit up due to an injured knee.
LAFC wouldn’t get a clean look on goal until Cristian Olivera’s shot in the 25th minute. Mateusz Bogusz clanked an attempt off the post in the 33rd. But by that point, LAFC was well aware of what it had to do.
“We know that there’s nothing that can defeat us when we put our heads down and work, work, work no matter what the minute of the game is,” starting center back Jesus Murillo said. “I think we were rewarded with a draw.”
Vancouver got going early when Sebastian Berhalter figured “why not” and hit a half-volley from 35 yards that put the visitors on the board in the fifth minute.
After failing to to clear the ball off a Vancouver corner kick, LAFC goalkeeper Abraham Romero got caught by surprise and reacted late as Berhalter’s curling shot veered away from him.
In the 17th minute, Vancouver defender Ranko Veselinovic exploited LAFC on another corner kick. Deking fullback Ryan Hollingshead near the 6-yard box, Veselinovic redirected the ball beyond a stationary Romero, who made two saves in his third start of the year as Hugo Lloris rested on the bench.
“It is disappointing,” Berhalter said. “You’re up 2-0 in the end there, you want to close out the game. Credit to them. They’re a good team. It’s one we have to learn from. Finishing our chances but also staying more compact defensively and solving these times when they’re throwing all the numbers.”
Kamara entered to begin the second half, replacing young Nathan Ordaz at the No. 9 spot as LAFC added firepower off the bench and chased the game.
Chances came and went before the final moments. The dam finally broke on an in-swinging ball from Bouanga that allowed Kamara to rise above the defense. The striker’s momentum produced a powerful header that beat Whitecaps goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer and amped up the building.
Vancouver nearly iced the game moments before conceding the equalizer, which materialized down the right flank following a miss on the other end.
LAFC fullback Sergi Palencia found David Martínez at the top of the box, where the Venezuelan struck a first time volley that took a big hop off the grass and glazed the top of Bogusz’s hair before reaching the back of the net.
The goal matched LAFC’s latest score of the season – a Bouanga finish to seal a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls in April – when a video review confirmed that the Polish attacker was onside.
With the group standings hanging in balance Saturday at BC Place, Vancouver will play without its head coach Vanni Sartini, who protested and was shown a red card following Bogusz’s late equalizer.
Club Tijuana, which LAFC defeated in its first match, will also play without its head coach, Juan Carlos Osorio, who was sent off with a red card at BMO Stadium last week.
“We advanced,” Cherundolo said. “We didn’t lose in 90 minutes. And that was the objective tonight.”
Originally Published:
