Whitecaps Defeat LAFC in Penalty Shootout

PHOTO: LAFC Communications

Admfter three long weeks, LAFC and the Vancouver Whitecaps saw action as part of the 2025playoffs. Third and second place respectively , Canadians and Californians seek a place to the Western Conference final. In the opposite bracket, San Diego FC and Minnesota United will define the last spot of this conference.

The 2025 season has been filled with good momentum at the end and two outstanding incorporations: Thomas Muller for the Whitecaps and Heung-min Son for the Black and Gold. The German Gold Cup winner has 8 goals and two assists with the Whitecaps; his North Korean counterpart has has two more goals (13) and one more assists.

With these two stars in their respective starting lineups; both roster brought the. Est they have to.BC Place. Yohei Tanaka and Hugo Lloris between the pipes; former LAFC defender Tristan Blackmon and Ryan Porteous as central defenders. An interesting battle in the wings had Colombian Eider Ocanoo on one side and Sergi Palencia on the other. Sebastian Berholtrr and Mark Delgado have made their presence known throughout the season. In different parts of the field, Thomas Muller more as a midfielder and Heung-min Son sharing the attack with Denis Bouanga is where LAFC and the Whitecaps have their hopes in this part of the season.

The first half saw a dominante home team: such dominante reflectes in the 2-0 advantage in the first 45 minutes of the game. The first goal for the Whitecaps came from a long ball by Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. The turf and the confusión between Eddie Segura and Nkosi Tafari ended with a early intervención by Hugo Lloris and a goal by Emanuel Sabbi. The 2-minute stoppage time brought a corner kick, a header by Thomas Muller, a save by Hugo Lloris and a strike by left back Mathias Laborde.

Andrew Moran and David Martínez entered to the second half. Eddie Segura retienes to his usual position as a centre back, while the two entries took part in the offense. Such subs saw their positive out one at the 60th minute. Mark Delgado deliberes the ball to the area; Andrew Moran header the ball to Heung-min Son; the Korean striker placed the ball to the net. After a VAR review for ab aparente off side by Moran, the goal was given.

At stoppage time, 9 minutes to be precise, the modifications in offense by the Blakx and Gold encounter a differ kick. Heung-min Son, with an outstanding precision, stroke the ball and tied the game. This goal was similar as the first one, which was considered as the goal of the season, scored against FC Dallas.

After 30 minutos of extra time, where the players seem tired and the counterattacks seem slower than usual, LAFac and Vancouver went to penalty shootouts.

The penalty shootout ended 4-3: Heung-min Son and Mark Delgado missed their respective chances. In the other hand, Eider Ocampo lost the 1-1 battle with Hugo Lloris. Thus, the Vancouver Whitecaps qualified to the Western Conference final.

With this defeat, the era of Steve Cherundolo as head coach of LAFC is over. The former U.S. National Team and Hannover 96 player coaches three tittles, one per year: MLS Cup and Supporters Shield in his first year in 2022 and the U.S. Open Cup one year ago. The MLS Cup final is remembered as one of the most exciting in American soccer history. A 3-2 victory against the Philadelphia Union concluded with a header by Gareth Bale.

The incorporation of Denis Bouabga and Heung-min Son, the best moment and departure of Cristian Aragon and an endless uncertainty of the situation of Carlos Vela aerie part of the second coach in LAFC’s history.