In the penalty shootout, Vancouver survived 5-3 to set up a semifinal date with York United on 21st June.
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The Vancouver Whitecaps showed extreme resolve and character to overcome a deficit before surviving a nail-biting penalty shootout to book a semifinal spot in the Canadian Championship. They canceled out Cavalry FC’s lead with a late own goal before winning the shootout at ATCO Field. Myer Bevan scored the first goal of the game in the 72nd minute through a wonder strike before an own goal by Daan Klomp leveled the scores. In the penalty shootout, Vancouver survived 5-3 to set up a semifinal date with York United on 21st June. In the other semifinal, CF Montreal will take on Toronto FC.
The intense opening 45 minutes saw the best openings falling to Vancouver. In the 11th minute, Canadian star Lucas Cavallini redirected a header towards the Cavalry net, however, former Whitecaps goalkeeper Marco Carducci did well to keep hold of the ball and keep the match scoreless. Then he caught a well-hit strike by Ryan Raposo in a crowded penalty area. Cavallini continued to be a menace in the opposition’s penalty box.
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In the 34th minute, he worked up space to open a gap for himself to have a shot at the opponent’s goal. However, his strike was brilliantly blocked by Mason Trafford and the ball went out for a corner kick. Then in the 39th minute, Carducci showed quick reflexes to turn away a chance that Ryan Gauld produced from close range. The Whitecaps clearly had the upper hand in the opening 45 minutes but were unable to break down Cavalry’s defence nor get past a spirited Cavallini.
A few minutes after the second half began, Cavalry had their first shot on target from a corner kick. The loose ball fell to Daan Klomp in the penalty box and the Dutch defender’s shot got deflected off a couple of defenders before falling into Cropper’s hands. Against the run of play, Myer Bevan fired a screamer into the top right corner of the goal to hand Cavalry an unlikely 1-0 advantage, as their fans erupted in joy. The Whitecaps pushed hard for the winner and got their reward from a set piece. From Déiber Caicedo’s corner, defender Érik Godoy diverted the ball onto the path of the goal and it looked to have taken a slight deflection on the way through the back of the net.
Vancouver pushed for the winner but Cavalry maintained their shape to take the game into a penalty shootout. Cavallini started the proceedings to put Vancouver in front during the shootout and Cavalry matched them. It was three for three from both sides. Then Leonard Owusu converted his effort, but Ali Musse’s shot was stopped by Cropper in the fourth set of penalties. Following it up, Cristián Gutiérrez scored the fifth one to help Vancouver reach the semifinals.
