The Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) erased a two goal deficit and claimed a 2-2 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday night at Banc of California Stadium. Carlos Vela and Jose Cifuentes scored on either side of halftime to help LAFC extend its home unbeaten streak to four games. LAFC is now 6-5-4 on the season for 22 points, leaving it in fifth place in the MLS Western Conference.
Vancouver entered the game in 12th place in the Western Conference with just one win in its last 10 games, but were able to take lead in the 25th minute as Deiber Caicedo pounced on a poor clearance and tapped home from close range to give his team a 1-0 advantage. It was 2-0 just 13 minutes later as Cristian Dajome headed a Cristian Gutierrez freekick just inside the far post, stunning the home fans.
However, just two minutes after the Dajome goal, LAFC cut the lead in half as Carlos Vela raced on to a Eduard Atuesta pass and beat Whitecaps goalkeeper Thomas Hasal for his third goal in the last three games. The goal, which was Vela’s fourth of the season, was originally called offside, but was awarded upon video review to make the score 2-1.
The home side pressed for an equalizer throughout the second half and got one in the 75th minute when Jose Cifuentes volleyed a Diego Palacios cross into the net from the center of the box, tying the score at 2-2.
The Whitecaps thought that they had scored the winner in the 85th minute when Dajome beat LAFC goalkeeper Tomas Romero from 10 yards out, but the goal was called back for offside, and the game finished 2-2.
LAFC returns to action on Wednesday, July 28 when it wraps up the month of July with a home game against Minnesota United. That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcast live locally on Bally Sports SoCal and Estrella TV.
WHAT: LAFC earns a come-from-behind 2-2 home draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC behind goals from Carlos Vela and Jose Cifuentes.
