Cristian Dajome hits winner as Vancouver Whitecaps upset LA Galaxy

ByReuters ESPN logo
Sunday, July 18, 2021

Cristian Dajome's goal in the 77th minute propelled the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 2-1 come-from-behind upset win over the LA Galaxy on Saturday night in Sandy, Utah.

Dajome and Deiber Caicedo, a pair of forwards from Colombia, scored both Whitecaps goals in the second half after Vancouver trailed 1-0 at halftime.

Where the Galaxy were the better team in the first half, the Whitecaps took control in the second and put an end to an eight-game winless streak.

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Last-place Vancouver had not won a game since early May. The Galaxy, the third-place team in the Western Conference, came into the Whitecaps' temporary home having won three of their last four matches.

Things looked good for the visitors early on. Rayan Raveloson scored in the fifth minute, finding space onside in the box and getting a header on target off Victor Vazquez's pass. The Whitecaps' defense was playing too far off the ball, and the poor marking gave the Galaxy the room to get in good scoring position.

Ethan Zubak appeared to have a second goal for the Galaxy in the 26th minute, but upon video review it was taken off the scoreboard for him being offside.

Samuel Grandsir made a quick move to get some room for a shot in the 37th minute, and it hit the goal framework, again denying the Galaxy of a second goal.

Caicedo had a chance for Vancouver in the 44th minute, off a turnover in the box gathered by Russell Teibert. But Caicedo's shot went wide right of the net.

Caicedo got his reward for the hard work early in the second half. A cross into the box from Javain Brown came to Caicedo off carom, and he deposited the ball into the back of the net to tie the game at 1 in the 48th minute.

Brian White assisted on Dajome's 77th-minute goal, and had a chance himself to make it 3-1 late in the second half but missed.

Still, the Whitecaps were able to hold on for a needed win.

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