Gauld's PK goal helps Whitecaps earn draw with NYC

September 02, 2023 - 7:20pm

Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Ryan Raposo, left, passes the ball around New York City FC midfielder Richard Ledezma during the second half of an MLS soccer match at Yankee Stadium, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in New York. The game ended in a 1-1- tie. (John Munson/AP)

NEW YORK (AP) — Ryan Gauld scored on a second-half penalty kick to help the Vancouver Whitecaps earn a 1-1 draw with New York City FC on Saturday at Yankee Stadium.

Neither team scored until Mounsef Bakrar took a pass from Santiago Rodríguez in the 55th minute and scored his second goal in his fourth career appearance for NYCFC (6-10-12).

Vancouver (10-8-8) answered with the equalizer five minutes later when Gauld drew a foul on James Sands and converted the penalty kick for his 10th goal of the season.

Matt Freese finished with one save in his fourth start and fifth career appearance for NYCFC. Yohei Takaoka saved two shots for Vancouver.

"It was a very hard game and we fought to the end," said Vancouver coach Vanni Sartini. "In the first half the game went how we thought . . . maybe it was too hot, maybe we were a little tired, I think we had a couple chances in transition to attack them but we weren't that intense in the same way that we are normally.

"We made some changes (in the second half) ... and I think we were better than them for the first 15 minutes. Then on the transition we conceded a goal as we were being a little bit naive. But then luckily we scored immediately and after that it was very hard the last 20 minutes, like it was very hot, the pitch was very small and they were pushing a lot. . . . The tie is a fair result."

NYCFC is 3-1-3 all-time in the series. NYCFC scored multiple goals in the first five matches before playing to a scoreless draw last season in Vancouver. The club is 2-1-1 in its last four home matches after a 0-3-3 stretch at home. NYCFC is 3-11-9 in its last 23 matches.

Vancouver had won three straight on the road in all competitions for the first time since June of 2015. The Whitecaps have never won four straight away from home.

Brian White saw a four-match goal streak on the road come to an end for the Whitecaps.

UP NEXT

NYCFC returns to action on Sept. 16 when it hosts the New York Red Bulls. Vancouver travels to play Toronto FC on Sept. 16.

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