Whitecaps keep playoff hopes alive with victory over Austin FC
CF Montreal narrows gap on 1st place with win over D.C. United
Ryan Gauld had a goal and an assist, and the Vancouver Whitecaps recorded a crucial 2-0 victory over Austin FC in their home finale on Saturday.
Gauld opened the scoring with a breakaway goal in the seventh minute and set up substitute Lucas Cavallini in the 62nd.
Goalkeeper Thomas Hasal made five saves to collect his fourth clean sheet of the Major League Soccer season for the Whitecaps (12-14-7).
The result extended Vancouver's win streak to three straight and kept its faint hopes of securing a playoff spot alive — at least temporarily.
The club now sits three points and two spots outside of a post-season berth in MLS's ultra tight Western Conference. In order to make the playoffs, the Whitecaps need several results go their way this weekend, then beat Minnesota United on the road next week.
WATCH | Vancouver victorious against Austin FC:
CF Montreal gunning for top spot in Eastern Conference
CF Montreal will have it all to play for on Decision Day, sitting only two points behind first place in the Eastern Conference after a nervy 1-0 win over D.C. United on Saturday evening.
A Donovan Pines own goal was the sole difference between Montreal (19-9-5) and United (7-20-6), who suffered their 20th loss of the Major League Soccer season.
Montreal got on the front foot immediately, dictating the pace, dominating possession, and creating a golden opportunity inside the first 10 minutes. Lassi Lappalainen was played in perfectly and circled around the keeper but missed the wide-open net.
United began to sit in a low block, stacking the defence with two banks of four players. This is a strategy many teams have employed while visiting the Stade Saputo, finding lots of success in the process.
United was having that same success in repelling Montreal's attacks and even had a few shots on Montreal keeper James Pantemis. However, they were punished for venturing forward just three minutes before halftime.
Following an overlapping run, Zachary Brault-Guillard played a dangerous cross that Pines deflected.
WATCH | Pines' own goal proves decisive:
Searching for an equalizer, D.C. began to press higher and higher up the field and found their best opportunity of the half with 15 minutes left. Benteke got on the end of an inch-perfect through ball, forcing another excellent stop by Pantemis.
With the Philadelphia Union losing 4-0 to Charlotte FC, Montreal now heads into Decision Day with a chance at first place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round bye in the playoffs.
Both teams will close out their regular season on Oct. 9 as Montreal heads to South Beach to square off against Inter Miami while D.C. hosts FC Cincinnati.
