Muller penalty cancels out Son strike

Vancouver Whitecaps 1-1 LAFC

VANCOUVER, BC–A heavyweight battle at the top of the Western Conference ended in a draw as Vancouver Whitecaps and LAFC finished 1-1 before a crowd of 40,086. Vancouver remain above LAFC on goal difference and San Jose remains a point behind after losing to FC Cincinnati.

Vancouver had outshot LAFC, 20-3 and had an xG of 2.7 compared to LAFC’s 0.3. However, it would be LAFC who scored first in the 37th minute. Tristan Blackmon was caught in possession by Denis Bouanga who then found Son Hyeung-min who beat Yohei Takaoka near post.

The Whitecaps pressed for an equalizer and came close on many occasions. However, their chance finally came in the 76th minute following a penalty after Yevhen Cheberko dragged down Thomas Müller in the area. Müller took the ensuing spot kick and made it 1-1.

Maxime Choiniere nearly restored LAFC’s advantages seeing Takaoka off his line, but the shot was over the bar. Brian White had a shot late that was denied by Hugo Lloris.

Both teams enter Leagues Cup play of the next twelve days. The Whitecaps will start on Tuesday against Atlante of Liga MX at BC Place (7:30pm PT, Apple TV). LAFC will open Leagues Cup play against Chivas de Guadalajara on Wednesday at BMO Stadium (7:30pm PT, Apple TV).