LAFC vs Vancouver Whitecaps summary: score, goals, highlights | MLS Cup Playoffs

Murillo header confirms LAFC win in playoff opener

The scores were level at half time but a clinical second half showing from LAFC secured an important victory in their quest to retain the MLS Cup. Their win was all-but confirmed with 12 minutes remaining when Jesus Murillo headed home to put his side three goals up. 

Final whistle at BMO Stadium

The reigning MLS Cup champions get their 2023 post-season underway with a win at home. 

There will be a minimum of two minutes of added time at the end of the second half. 

The 3252 fan group are really enjoying themselves in the supporters' section. It's not been a faultless performance from LAFC, but they have looked lethal in attack and capable of going fa in this tournament. 

LAFC have done well, especially in the second half, to prevent Vancouver's danger men getting the ball. Ryan Gauld has struggled to find space, while the service to Brian White has been cut off at source. 

Even Ritchie Laryea, the mercurial wing-back, has barely shown his attacking talent. 

Double change for LAFC as Chiellini and Bogusz are replaced by Acosta and Long.

It's not been the most assured performance from LAFC but they have shown their quality in the second half. There are certainly some defensive frailties but they look to be hitting their stride and have goals in abundance. 

Good play from Bouanga on the left, twisting and turning to make himself a yard of space. His pace sets him clear down the line but his cross is blocked for a corner. 

Hoillett clips Bouanga, 30 yards from goal, resulting in a free kick for LAFC. Ilie Sanchez plays it short, rather than looking to play into the box. 

You sense that LAFC are looking to cool the intensity of the game now. 

And LAFC match the visitors. Vela and Hollingshead are taken off, Gonzalez and Palencia enter the fray. 

Double change for Vancouver as Polencia and Cubus are replaced by Ahmed and Hoilett. 

Here's that long-range effort from Denis Bouanga, firing home for distance after a clever short free kick. 

For the first time in this game LAFC have a two-goal lead and it's difficult to say that's not justified. The hosts have looked the better team since the break and they are starting to turn the screw now 

Pedro Vite

Poor challenge from the Vancouver midfielder, coming of the ball and catching Bogusz on the shin with the sole of his boot. He's escaped further punishment but that was not good. 

Half-chance for Vancouver after a poor ball from Chiellini is intercepted. It's played through to Brian White, who looks to cut inside of Chiellini, but he's muscled out of it by the recovering defender. 

Chaos in the Vancouver penalty box! First a low cross from Bouanga evades everyone in the middle, bouncing across the six-yard box.

Bogusz picks up the ball at the back post and rifles the ball at goal. It's deflected, falls to Chiellini to strike, but the ball hits Bouanga in an offside position.

Vancouver survive. 

Close! LAFC

Decent opportunity for Chiellini, who connects with a wide free kick from Vela. He gets there first but can't keep his header down and it flies over the crossbar. 

LAFC defender Ryan Hollingshead nudges his side back ahead. 

Close! LAFC

LAFC clear the long throw and Cristian Olivera sprints forward on the right wing, leading the charge for his team. Bouanga and Vela are straining to join the attack but Olivera lets fly from 25 yards and the ball whistles over the crossbar. 

Good run from Sam Adekugbe to push his side up the pitch but Hollingshead is across well to clear the danger. Vancouver have a chance for the long throw in now. 

It looks like we're in for another thrilling 45 minutes as both sides look to take the impetus after the break. For LAFC Palacios flies into a challenge on Laryea but avoids a booking. 

And we're back!

LAFC get us underway in the second half. 

More of the same, please.

Bouanga banger steals the show

When he's on form, there are very few players in MLS as unstoppable as Denis Bouanga. The LAFC forward clinched the MLS Golden Boot in the regular season and looks to be continuing that form into the post-season. 

How crucial will that be for LAFC?

Spectacular start at BMO Stadium

Ahead of the game Vancouver Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini said that had instructed his team to play on the front foot and we've certainly seen evidence of that in the opening 45 minutes. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable game, end-to-end, with plenty of chances for both sides. 

More of the same, please. 

Peeep peeeeeep peeeeeeep

And that's all for a thrilling first half at BMO Stadium. We've seen some clinical finishing from both sides and end-to-end action throughout. 

LAFC look to manufacture something on the break, with Olivera and Vela combining on the counter attack. Vela looks to connect with an acrobatic volley in the Vancouver box but misses his kick. 

Vancouver are causing problems and the LAFC backline looks unsettled. A loose ball bounces around the penalty box for some time before they scramble it clear for a corner. 

There will be three minutes of added time at the end of the first half.

Gauld's delivery is easily rebuffed and LAFC get back up the pitch. Carlos Vela is felled on the edge of the Vancouver box but the referee waves away his appeals. 

Nasty challenge from Ryan Hollingshead on Sam Adekugbe. The LAFC scorer is a little lucky to avoid a booking for that. 

Chance for Vancouver to deliver from the wide left...

It's been a thrilling start to this Round One clash at BMO Stadium. It's been end-to-end with openings for both teams. 

However the quality of the finishing is what's really stood out in the opening 40 minutes in Los Angeles. Every goal has been brilliantly taken. 

Clever from Ryan Gauld to win a free kick on the edge of the LAFC box, from a narrow angle on the left. 

Gauld to take...

Carlos Vela / Pedro Vite

Bit of concern for both sides after a clash of heads in the middle of the park. Both players are getting checked over by the medical staff, but should be fine to continue. 

Another explosive strike from Bouanga gets the crowd off their seats, but his long-range volley flies comfortably wide. 

Bouanga restores LAFC lead

Here's that stunning second LAFC strike. Everyone know that Bouanga likes to start on the left and cut inside onto his right foot.

Stopping it, however, is a very different prospect. 

After that flurry of goals it remains to be seen if Vancouver to get a grip on the game now. They scored through Brian White but have not really created any clear-cut chances of their own making. 

Stunning solo strike from Bouanga

What a goal from Bouanga. He drifted out wide to pick up the ball on the left and skipped past a Vancouver defender on the touchline. 

As the Gabonese forward approached the box he cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a fierce strike. No chance for Takaoko in the Vancouver goal. 

Brian White levels for the visitors

It came from a mistake from LAFC as Murillo misplaced a pass at the back. Vancouver pounced on the loose ball and slipped it through to White to finish. 

Here's that Hollingshead opener...

On second viewing, that was an impressively accurate finish from Ryan Hollingshead. The experienced full back fired home from a tight angle to give his side the lead. 

Carlos Vela (LAFC)

Following that attempt the Mexican commits a blatant foul to halt a promising Vancouver counter-attack. He can have no complaints there. 

Chance! LAFC

Another good opening for LAFC as the ball falls to the left boot of Carlos Vela on the edge of the box. The Mexican lashes a strike at goal but it's blocked by a Vancouver defender and they clear. 

Ryan Hollingshead strike kick-starts LAFC playoff journey

Chance! LAFC

Neat movement from LAFC gets Hollingshead in space at the back post. He meets Vela's free kick with a cushioned header back across the box, but there's no one there for LAFC to convert. 

Vancouver clear for a corne.r 

Very clumsy challenge from Gauld on Mateusz Bogusz, around 35 yards from the Vancouver goal. 

It'll be either Vela or Bouanga to deliver from the left...

Vancouver have looked very comfortable in possession in the opening stages, using their three central defenders to shift the ball around the backline. 

Powerful run from Ryan Gauld to make room for a shot from the edge of the box. The ball is partially blocked and bounces out of play for a corner kick. 

Timothy Tillman does well down the right flank, making space for himself to dig out a cross. He ball is deflected out for a corner, which Carlos Vela takes. 

It comes to nothing and Vancouver win the goal kick. 

Good spell of play for Vancouver as a long ball over the top forced Chiellini and Murillo to chase back and cover. A cross from the left is then curled in towards the head of Brian White, but he can't get a clean connection. 

Interestingly, Denis Bouanga has started at the central striker for LAFC, with Carlos Vela stationed out on the left. 

Clever touch from Schopf in the Vancouver midfielder to open on up the pitch and get his team on the attack. LAFC get players back to block but it's a positive start from the visitors. 

Worth noting that LAFC goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau is taking on his former side today, almost exactly one year on from suffering a serious injury in last season's MLS Cup final. 

After 10 months out he has returned to the starting XI for LAFC as they look to retain their crown. 

And we're off!

Vancouver Whitecaps get us underway at BMO Stadium!

The players are out!

We're nearly ready to go in this Round One MLS Cup Playoff clash! Both teams are out on the pitch and there's a cloud of smoke drifting across the pitch, the consequence of the pre-game atmosphere in LAFC's 3252 fan group section.

MLS

LAFC owners set their sights on a European soccer club

We're around ten minutes from kick-off at BMO Stadium as LAFC prepare to begin their MLS Cup title defence. But there's more on the horizon for the team's ownership group, which includes Will Ferrell, ex-footballer Mia Hamm and NBA legend Earvin Magic Johnson. 

The ambitious group are reportedly looking at buying a European club. 

Read more

Here's the prize at stake

The reigning MLS Cup holders get their 2023 post-season started tonight against a dangerous Vancouver side who have the second-best offensive record in the Western Conference. LAFC will need to be at their best to secure a win. 

MLS

Vela aims to follow in Beckham’s footsteps, eyes owning MLS team: “It’s in my plans”

Ahead of tonight's game, we spoke exclusively to LAFC captain Carlos Vela about the MLS Cup Playoffs, his career plans, and potentially owning an MLS team one day. The Mexican forward is optimistic about his side's chances of retaining MLS Cup this year. 

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And this is the Vancouver Whitecaps starting XI...

It's the familiar back three for Vancouver Whitecaps as head coach Vanni Sartini opts for experience to kick-start the post-season. Against this battle-hardened LAFC, that could prove crucial. 

Here's the LAFC line up...

It's a full-strength starting XI for the hosts, with that formidable frontline of Olivera, Vela and Bouanga. At the back, Steve Cherundolo opts for the experience of Chiellini. 

Team news from BMO Stadium to come very shortly...

Carlos Vela arrives at BMO Stadium

The LAFC captain arrives at the stadium for tonight's thrilling playoff encounter. Let's see if he can recapture his form of previous seasons after a slightly underwhelming 2023 from the Mexican striker. 

LAFC in the house

The hosts have arrived for their post-season opener at BMO Stadium tonight. The reigning MLS Cup champions slipped to third in the West but will be confident of showing their class in the playoffs. 

MLS

Denis Bouanga, Thiago Almada and Lucho Acosta, finalists for MVP of the 2023 MLS season

LAFC forward Denis Bouanga has already wrapped up the award for Top Goalscorer and is also in the running for the top individual prize in MLS. The Gabonese star is one of three finalists for the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award, alongside Thiago Almada and Luciano Acosta. 

He could be the difference-maker for LAFC once again this evening. 

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Hello and welcome to AS USA, where we will be bringing you full coverage of the MLS Cup Playoffs clash between LAFC and Vancouver Whitecaps. 

LAFC go into the post-season as the reigning champions and will be hoping to get their playoff journey off to a positive start at BMO Stadium.