The Vancouver Whitecaps’ season is done.
The lone Canadian team in the MLS Cup Playoffs, the Whitecaps forced top Western seed LAFC to a third match in a Best-of-Three series. But they were unable to find the full force of their magic that helped them dominate in Game Two.
A single goal from Mateusz Bogusz in the second half was all it took.
Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said he was “really proud of the performance of the guys.”
“On the three games, I don’t think we were worse than them. We won the aggregate 4-3 against a very good team.”
Not wanting to break what was shown to work, the Whitecaps brought back the 4-3-2-1 (or Christmas Tree) formation. Pedro Vite slotted in for Ali Ahmed, but other than that, everything else was the same.
And for the first half, it paid off.
Vancouver was methodical in their build-up play. Sebastian Berhalter was competent in marking Denis Bouanga out of the game and LAFC in general seemed to adopt a more defensive style of play.
The Whitecaps won most of the second and third balls and looked comfortable, for the most part, in how the match was unfolding.
Brian White had the best chance of the first 45 minutes, late in the half. Ryan Gauld’s pass through the line found the American striker turning off the shoulder of his LAFC centre-back marker. But White’s shot was just wide of the far post.
Sensing their difficulties in the second half, LAFC came out swinging. A couple of changes to the home side’s lineup were meant to open up their attack and unlock the congestion in the middle.
The Whitecaps had to endure wave after wave from the likes of Bouanga and Bogusz. Vancouver’s back line was pressured but did not break as they held on against LAFC’s increased presence.
But being pushed so far back was ultimately unsustainable for the Whitecaps. Bogusz scored in the 62nd minute off a great headed ball from Long. A poor long kick from Yohei Takaoka had him running to get back into position but unable to set properly.
“The goal happened by accident,” Sartini said. “We kicked a long ball and unfortunately Andrés [Cubas] deflected the ball in a way that put out Tristan [Blackmon] and Ranko [Veselinović] out of position. It sucks. But it was by accident.”
Blackmon thought he had an equalizer in the 73rd minute. Gauld’s free kick found Ali Ahmed, who flicked it on. The centre-back headed it beyond Hugo Lloris, but he was well offside, and the goal was quickly struck off.
LAFC held on, advancing to the next round where they will face Seattle Sounders in the MLS Cup Semifinals.
“It’s just the nature of the playoffs. You’re so pumped up, and then the season’s over,” Sartini said in trying to decide his thoughts at the end.
The season as a whole
When asked for his initial thoughts in the entirely of the MLS season, Sartini said it was “better than last year.”
“We played a better soccer than last year in my opinion,” he added.
Sartini said two “pauses” caused the season to derail somewhat: their run at the beginning of the summer and their play leading into the playoffs.
Citing as well particular mistakes throughout the season by referees, Sartini said they should have had another six points, which would have put them higher up the Western Conference table.
“That’s probably the only regret because we would have maybe fifth or sixth, I think we deserve to be there. And we wouldn’t have played against LAFC, and maybe a better chance to go to the next round,” Sartini said.
Sartini did not go so far to call the season a success, but he said it was also not a failure, giving it a B- ranking overall.
Already thinking about what is potentially next
Sartini was reflective after the match, pondering what changes may be coming for the squad and himself.
“[I’m] realizing we’re not going to spend one minute together as a group because every time players change, maybe coach changes. And it’s very hurtful because I love this group. I love these guys,” he said.
When asked to clarify his remarks about his status, Sartini pointed to his contract.
“I have a contract next year, so if anything major happens, I’m still here. The good thing with the contract is I have a work permit so I won’t be kicked out of the country. I would love to stay in Canada.”
Up next
It’s the off-season food the Whitecaps and everything that goes with that. Follow @JoshuaRey00 and @ndurec for all the news on player movements and other off-season information.
It has been a pleasure.
