Vancouver Whitecaps lose 1-0, taking their first loss of the MLS season

MEGAN SWAIN/GATG

The Vancouver Whitecaps were back to action at BC Place on March 21 to take on the San Jose Earthquakes. Despite a strong effort by the Whitecaps, they fell 1-0, taking their first Major Soccer League loss of the season.

They came into this game having matched their previous season's opening record of 4W-0L-0D, and were aiming to make it five wins, which would have marked the club’s best start in the MLS.

The home team put the pressure on the visitors early, getting many chances. They missed the net and there were a couple saves by the Earthquakes goalkeeper, and they could not capitalize. By the 35th minute, it felt as though a Whitecaps goal was on the horizon.

Despite the early pressure, it was the Earthquakes who opened the scoring. In stoppage time at the end of the first half, Beau Leroux put the ball into the top right corner of the net to take a 1-0 lead. The Whitecaps had yet to trail at half in MLS action this season.

To start the second half, the Whitecaps subbed on Thomas Müller for Cheikh Sabaly, who had his first MLS and Whitecaps start of the season. In the 54th minute, the Earthquakes subbed on Timo Werner, pitting the two former German teammates against each other.

The Whitecaps best attempt of the second half came in the second minute of stoppage time when Kenji Cabrera’s shot went high and wide of the right post.

This match marked the first of five consecutive games at BC Place. They play all their April matches at home and face the Portland Timbers next on April 4, where they will look for another win to put towards the Cascadia Cup.

They then face New York City FC on April 11, Sporting Kansas City on April 17, and finish the homestand against the Colorado Rapids on April 25.