HIGHLIGHTS + ANALYSIS: Whitecaps capitulate as LAFC run wild in Concacaf Champions League, Leg 1
The Vancouver Whitecaps did not get on the right foot in Leg 1 of their Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League quarter-finals clash vs. Los Angeles FC, succumbing to a Denis Bouanga-inspired 3-0 defeat at BC Place ahead of the second leg in California next week.
Bouanga's two excellent goals, sandwiched around an unfortunate turnover slotted home by Kwadwo Opoku, served to diminish much of Vancouver's hopes of advancing in the competition, as the MLS champions made short work of their Western Conference opposition with little fuss on the other side of the ball.
And, while Vancouver head coach Vanni Sartini said he'd be prioritizing an MLS playoff run this year, the pain of defeat ahead of a potential exit in the Champions League will still sting the Whitecaps faithful, who, while absent their usual droves in the stands on the evening, had high hopes for a more solid showing – particularly coming off the back of a 5-0 walloping of CF Montréal over the last weekend.
Instead, it's back to the drawing board, with the Whitecaps now needing another resounding victory to overturn a three-goal deficit – away goals, mind you – in Leg 2 next Tuesday at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles.
Here are your match highlights: