Vancouver misses MLS playoffs with 2-0 loss to Minnesota

By: The Associated Press Posted: 6:22 PM CDT Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 Last Modified: 8:12 PM CDT Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022

SAINT PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Franco Fragapane scored early in the first half, Jonathan González added an insurance goal in the second and Minnesota United defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 on Sunday to clinch a playoff spot in Major League Soccer's Western Conference.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/10/2022 (1449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Minnesota United (15-14-6) came into the match needing a win or tie to advance and improved to 3-0-2 all-time against Vancouver (12-16-7) at home. The Whitecaps, who won three consecutive home games heading into the match, needed a victory to grab a playoff berth.

Minnesota United entered play with just one point in its last six matches (0-5-1) before beating Vancouver for a second time this season. It marked the first time one team beat the other twice in the same season.

Minnesota United's Franco Fragapane argues a call with one of the assistant referees during the first half of an MLS soccer game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, in Vancouver, B.C., Friday, July 8, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Emanuel Reynoso notched his 11th assist to go with 10 goals. He is one of three players to reach double figures in both categories this season — joining Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar and Carlos Vela of LAFC.

Dayne St. Clair stopped six shots to earn a clean sheet for Minnesota United. Thomas Hasal had three saves for the Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps’ best opportunity came in the 63rd minute. Just a minute after coming into match, Lucas Cavallini found himself open in the box but could only get his header toward the far post where Brian White clanged it off the crossbar.

A record 19,941 fans watched the Loons clinch at Allianz Field.

“I knew they’d turn up, I just wanted to make sure we did,” Minnesota coach Adrian Health said about the fans.

The Whitecaps were 0-5-3 in their final eight road matches and on Sunday they never really threatened to force Minnesota to change its game plan even though they had the ball 51 per cent of the time.

___

More AP MLS: https://apnews.com/hub/major-league-soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports