Vancouver Whitecaps 1-2 Los Angeles FC: Sanchez strike closes gap at top of West

Ilie Sanchez’s stoppage-time goal secured Los Angeles FC a 2-1 victory over Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS on Sunday.

Sergi Palencia’s own goal had cancelled out Mateusz Bogusz’s early opener at BC Place, but LAFC found their winner last on to close the gap to leaders LA Galaxy to just three points in the Western Conference.

David Martinez cut Vancouver’s defence open with a throughball to Bogusz, who dinked a lovely finish over Yohei Takaoka from a tight angle on the left just 34 seconds into the match.

Bogusz then thought he had doubled their advantage after springing on a brilliant save from Takaoka to deny Palencia, but it was ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

The Spaniard handed the Whitecaps their equaliser – he gave away a free-kick on the left and got the final contact on Sebastian Berhalter’s free-kick to help it past Hugo Lloris.

Having weathered the storm from Vancouver after the equaliser, including a clearance off the line by Timothy Tillman, LAFC found a late winner, with Sanchez firing in from the edge of the box.

And Brian White, who had glanced a header narrowly wide earlier in the second half, squandered the chance for an even later equaliser, flicking another effort off the far post in the dying seconds.

Leaving Vancouver with W.#VANvLAFC pic.twitter.com/p2eaJ5OC2p

— LAFC (@LAFC) October 14, 2024

Data Debrief: Quick out of the blocks

Despite their winning goal coming late in the game, it was actually LAFC’s quick start that set them up for the win – Bogusz’s goal was their fastest in MLS this season, and their second fastest in history.

They have also scored nine goals in the opening 15 minutes of games, with only St. Louis City (12) and New York City FC (11) netting more.

Meanwhile, Vancouver have now lost each of their last three matches, their longest such streak since October 2022-March 2023.