LAFC2 saw its five-match unbeaten run come to an end Wednesday night, falling 4-1 to Whitecaps FC 2 at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C. The loss was just the Black & Gold’s third defeat since the start of May.
The Black & Gold struck first in the 14th minute when Marius Aiyenero finished from the center of the box for his third goal in two matches. LAFC2 had an opportunity to double the advantage three minutes later, but DeCarlo Guerra’s penalty was saved by Whitecaps FC 2 goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer.
Vancouver pulled level through Liam Mackenzie in the 26th minute before Mackenzie scored again in the 45th minute to send the hosts into halftime with a 2-1 advantage. Daniel Ittycheria extended the lead with a header in the 55th minute, and LAFC2 was reduced to 10 men three minutes later when Érick Díaz was shown a red card.
Despite playing down a man, LAFC2 continued to create opportunities and finished with a 14-13 advantage in shots, with seven attempts on target. Johnny Selemani added Vancouver’s fourth goal in the 82nd minute to close out the scoring.
LAFC2 remains in fifth place in the MLS NEXT Pro Western Conference standings with 41 points from 24 matches.
With four regular-season matches remaining, the Black & Gold sits six points ahead of eighth-place North Texas SC as the club continues its push for a playoff berth. Austin FC II, Timbers2, and Houston Dynamo 2 have already clinched postseason spots in the Western Conference.
LAFC2 returns to action on Sunday, August 30, in a key matchup against San Jose Earthquakes II at Spartan Soccer Complex in San Jose, Calif. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT, and the match will be available on MLSNEXTPro.com.
