Vancouver Whitecaps miss out on MLS playoffs after draw against LAFC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:27 am

Second-half substitute Jordon Mutch's goal in the 65th minute gave the visiting Vancouver Whitecaps a comeback 2-2 draw with Los Angeles FC in Major League Soccer action Sunday afternoon.

Mutch put in a pass from Erik Hurtado, who was later substituted out in the second-half, to cap Vancouver's comeback from an early 2-0 hole. However, the heroics were moot because the Whitecaps officially saw their playoff hopes end.

With the draw, upstart expansion side L.A. remained hopeful of finishing first or second in the Western Conference and earning a first-round playoff bye.

Yordy Reyna also tallied for the Whitecaps, while Diego Rossi scored both L.A. goals.

Vancouver entered the game hoping to keep its seemingly remote playoff hopes alive. The Whitecaps had vowed not to wither like they did in a 4-1 home loss to Kansas City on Wednesday.

But the L.A. hosts jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as Rossi opened the scoring in the fifth minute and tallied again 10 minutes later.

Reyna pulled the Whitecaps within a goal on a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. The spot kick was awarded after L.A.'s Benny Feilhaber fouled Vancouver teenage prodigy Alphonso Davies in the penalty area.

Diego Rossi celebrates after scoring a goal for LAFC in a 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Diego Rossi celebrates after scoring a goal for LAFC in a 2-2 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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Mutch drew the Whitecaps even in the 65th minute after replacing Reyna four minutes earlier.

But the hosts appeared to be the more desperate team in the later going as they pressed repeatedly in Vancouver's end, receiving a series of short-range free kicks and corner kicks.

Strong efforts by Caps goalkeeper Stefan Marinovic and the back line prevented LAFC from scoring again. But the stout defense and valiant comeback offered little consolation as Vancouver's playoff hopes were terminated with the tie.

L.A. had hoped for a stronger result to ensure an opening-round bye and now may need help from other clubs to achieve its goal, as LAFC is tied for second with Dallas in the Western Conference -- two points behind Sporting KC.

Both L.A. and Vancouver have one game remaining in the regular season.