MLS Whitecaps photo Simon Fearn

Vancouver Whitecaps FC became the latest victim of league-leaders LAFC on Saturday night, suffering a 6-1 defeat at Banc of California Stadium.

Yordy Reyna opened the scoring for Vancouver in the fifth minute, scoring his third goal in the last four matches. Jon Erice got the play started with a ball over the top and the Peruvian took care of the rest, running into space and rounding LAFC goalkeeper Pablo Sisniega before slotting home with his left foot.

It was a dream start for the visitors, who were without newly-signed Designated Player Ali Adnan as they await receipt his permanent International Transfer Certificate.

But it was all LAFC from there.

Vancouver managed to withstand the initial pressure, thanks in part to a spectacular diving save from Maxime Crepeau on his Canadian national teammate Mark-Anthony Kaye, until a slew of corners in the final stages of the first half.

Eventually, LAFC would find the back of the net on a pair of Carlos Vela deliveries.

In the 35th minute, they levelled the score after Vela’s corner deflected in off Andy Rose at the back post. LAFC then took the lead on a 41st-minute corner, this time with Adama Diomande connecting on a header at the back post.

The league-leaders would add four more goals after the break through Kaye, a pair from Vela, and Diego Rossi to earn their 13th win of the season and increase their home record to 8W-0L-1D.

The ‘Caps conclude their four-match road swing on Wednesday in Calgary, facing Canadian Premier League side Cavalry FC in their first match of the 2019 Canadian Championship (6:30 p.m. PT on OneSoccer). They will then return to BC Place on Saturday, July 13, resuming MLS action against Sporting Kansas City (7 p.m. PT on TSN 1/4 – tickets are still available).

NEWS AND NOTES
Ali Adnan was not eligible to play on Saturday as the ‘Caps are awaiting receipt of his permanent International Transfer Certificate (ITC) following Friday’s transfer from Udinese Calcio. Adnan’s ITC will be re-issued when the international transfer window opens in Canada on July 9, at which point he will be eligible to play again … Fredy Montero was shown a straight red card in the 85th minute and will now miss next Saturday’s match against Sporting Kansas City.

MATCH DETAILS WFC
Man of the Match: Yordy Reyna
Referee: Allen Chapman
Attendance: 22,472

Scoring Summary
5’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna (Jon Erice)
35’ – LAFC – Andy Rose (own goal)
41’ – LAFC – Adama Diomande (Carlos Vela)
46’ – LAFC – Mark-Anthony Kaye (Tristan Blackmon)
54’ – LAFC – Carlos Vela (Eduard Atuesta)
70’ – LAFC – Carlos Vela
72’ – LAFC – Diego Rossi

Statistics
Possession: LAFC 67.4% – VAN 32.6%
Shots: LAFC 31 – VAN 5
Shots on Goal: LAFC 14 – VAN 3
Saves: LAFC 2 – VAN 9
Fouls: LAFC 9 – VAN 7
Offsides: LAFC 1 – VAN 1
Corners: LAFC 10 – VAN 3
Duels won: LAFC 40 – VAN 37
Tackles won: LAFC 10 – VAN 8

Cautions
7’ – VAN – Erik Godoy
48’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
80’ – LAFC – Eduard Atuesta

Ejection
85’ – VAN – Fredy Montero

Los Angeles Football Club
23.Pablo Sisniega; 27.Tristan Blackmon, 5.Dejan Jakovic, 4.Eddie Segura (2.Jordan Harvey 74’), 13.Mohamed El-Munir; 14.Mark-Anthony Kaye, 20.Eduard Atuesta (7.Latif Blessing 81’), 24.Lee Nguyen; 10.Carlos Vela, 99.Adama Diomande (22.Rodolfo Zelaya 62’), 9.Diego Rossi

Substitutes not used
40.Phillip Ejimadu, 3.Steven Beitashour, 18.Josh Pérez, 21.Christian Ramirez

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 22.Érik Godoy, 2.Doneil Henry, 15.Andy Rose, 46.Brett Levis (94.Victor “PC” Giro 74’); 4.Inbeom Hwang (50.Theo Bair 66’), 6.Jon Erice ©, 31.Russell Teibert; 7.Lucas Venuto (12.Fredy Montero 56’), 29.Yordy Reyna

Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 8.Felipe Martins, 13.Derek Cornelius, 23.Scott Sutter