Vancouver Whitecaps FC beat Austin FC on Diaby’s 71st-minute winner

Caicedo and White threaten first

Vancouver’s early chances involved Bruno Caicedo and Brian White. Caicedo shot over after Brad Stuver cleared under pressure from White. Near the half-hour, Caicedo sent a ball across goal that White narrowly failed to reach. On Vancouver’s next attack, White released Caicedo for a shot from the top of the box, and the Austin goalkeeper parried his effort.

Uzuni takes advantage before halftime

Austin opened the scoring in the 40th minute when Myrto Uzuni intercepted a Vancouver defender’s back pass. Left one-on-one with Yohei Takaoka, Uzuni finished for an unassisted goal. His intervention gave Austin the advantage after Vancouver’s earlier opportunities, and the home team carried that lead into halftime with the match’s only goal of the opening half.

Gauld heads Vancouver level

Austin’s lead lasted only two minutes after the restart. Ryan Gauld headed Emmanuel Sabbi’s cross into the net in the 47th minute, bringing Vancouver level. Sabbi and Édier Ocampo received assists on the equalizer. Gauld’s header erased the advantage Uzuni had established before the break, leaving the teams tied heading toward the later stages.

Diaby scores, Takaoka protects the lead

Yadaly Diaby replaced Caicedo in the 65th minute and scored six minutes later. After Tate Johnson’s delivery, Diaby faced Joseph Rosales and struck a shot that went in off the far post. His 71st-minute winner came from outside the penalty area and reached the top corner.

White later broke clear after Jon Bell slipped, but Stuver’s challenge forced his shot wide. Austin also had a late chance to equalize: four minutes from time, Takaoka parried Brandon Vázquez’s close-range header, preserving Vancouver’s lead. Vancouver finished with a comeback victory.