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LAFC upset by Veselinovic, Whitecaps

June 25, 2023

Los Angeles FC defender Erik Dueñas, center, tries to recover the ball defended by Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

A Los Angeles FC fan holds up a scarf prior to the start of an MLS soccer match between the Los Angeles FC and the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Stipe Biuk moves the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios kicks the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead (24) tries to recover the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela reacts to a referee call during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, center, deflects the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC midfielder Mateusz Bogusz, right, dribbles the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, vies for the ball with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Ranko Veselinovic during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy, left, deflects a goal shot by Vancouver Whitecaps forward Sergio Cordova during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, vies for the ball with Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Smoke fills the air in the supporters section after Los Angeles FC scores a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, left, kicks the ball for a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC defender Giorgio Chiellini moves the ball across the field against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, vies for the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC midfielder Ryan Hollingshead, right, looks to pass against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Carlos Vela, center, kicks the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

A Los Angeles FC fan pulls on his jersey during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC head coach Steve Cherundolo looks on during the second half of an MLS soccer match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC midfielder Jose Cifuentes, back, tries to recover the ball against Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Andrés Cubas, center, during the second half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. The Vancouver Whitecaps won 3-2. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Second from right, Los Angeles FC goalkeeper John McCarthy catches the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Stipe Biuk, left, tries to recover the ball against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC defender Diego Palacios, right, chases Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, moves the ball past Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathaas Laborda during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga, left, reacts after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

Los Angeles FC forward Denis Bouanga reacts after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Photo by Raul Romero Jr., Contributing Photographer)

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LOS ANGELES —The Vancouver Whitecaps ended a 15-match winless streak in Major League Soccer away games, upsetting the Los Angeles Football Club 3-2 at BMO Stadium on Saturday.

During their two CONCACAF Champions League encounters in April, Vancouver (6-5-7, 25 points) was unable to score once over 180 minutes. But by the 23rd minute of their first MLS contest of the year, the Whitecaps scored two times to secure a lead they did not relinquish.

The opening half was a mad dash, producing 20 shots, 12 on target, and three goals. After full time, the Western Conference sides totalled 33 shots, 18 of which were on frame.

The finish was LAFC’s second league defeat at home in three matches, and ended a two-game winning streak.

After the second fastest goal in club history on Wednesday (officially 53 seconds), LAFC had the tables turned on them three days later.

Thin at center back due to injuries and international call-ups, head coach Steve Cherundolo started midfielder Ilie Sanchez on the backline alongside Denil Maldonado, Ryan Hollingshead and Diego Palacios.

The circumstances proved potent for Vancouver’s sizable center forwards Brian White and Sergio Cordova, as well as 6-foot-2 defender Ranko Veselinovic, who initiated the scoring with the fastest goal against LAFC this year, good for the fifth fastest all-time, one minute and 55 seconds after the opening whistle.

A headed finish by the Serbian off a corner kick from midfielder Ryan Gauld set the first half tone for LAFC, which was forced to defend mutiple balls into the box that challenged defenders and goalkeeper John McCarthy.

Vancouver’s second goal occurred following a giveaway by Jose Cifuentes on Vancouver’s side of the field that forced Maldonado and Sanchez to scramble back trying to defend a three-on-two counter attack.

With the ball pushed out to the left side, Cordova and White camped out in the box. Gauld’s pass at the back post carried above Sanchez’s head. White rose to meet it and the ball floated over McCarthy into the net.

LAFC’s leading scorer, forward Denis Bouanga, brought the Black & Gold life when he connected on his 11th goal of the year prior to the half.

A multi-pass combination between Hollingshead, Stipe Biuk and Carlos Vela ended deep in the Whitecaps box, creating a tremendous chance for Hollingshead in front of Japanese goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka. The save spilled to Bouanga who coolly made it a one-goal game.

The pace remained high through the subsequent 45 minutes.

Gauld added a goal to go with two assists in the 63rd minute when a point blank save by McCarthy on a Cordova shot rolled to the edge of the box, where the Scotsman hit a low skidder for a third goal. It was the first time since August of 2021 that a visiting team scored three times against LAFC.

Five minutes later, Vela pulled one back with his sixth MLS goal of the season. Mateusz Bogusz chested the ball down and found the LAFC captain who was alone in the middle of the box and completed an adroit tip-toe finish.

It marked the second time Vela and Bouanga scored in the same match for LAFC, but unlike last year’s Supporters’ Shield clincher in Portland they did not come out victorious despite contributions from their most productive weapons.

LAFC (9-4-5, 32 points) slipped into a first place tie with St. Louis, and has a week off between matches prior to visiting Dallas next week for the first time before playing the Champions League final against Leon.

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Orange County Register

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LAFC upset by Veselinovic, Whitecaps

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