Vancouver stuns Chicago to secure spot in knockout stage
The Vancouver Whitecaps came alive when it mattered most.
Marc Dos Santos' men were facing elimination heading into Thursday's contest, but they defied the odds by pulling off a 2-0 victory over the Chicago Fire to secure their place in the knockout stage of the MLS is Back Tournament.
10 players injured or missing.
β Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) July 23, 2020
Opponents changed in the 11th hour.
Third 'keeper.
Hour long weather delay.
This team ππ#VWFC #MLSisBack pic.twitter.com/XPNtgcOki6
With the Whitecaps needing to win by at least two goals, Yordy Reyna opened the scoring in the 65th minute before Cristian Dajome doubled the lead six minutes later with a crucial goal to keep Vancouver's campaign alive.
The match was then brought to a halt for more than an hour due to poor weather and lightning strikes in the area.
Following the interruption, Vancouver narrowly avoided heartbreak late in the match when Chicago had a goal called back with less than 10 minutes remaining.
The Whitecaps, who lost their opening two matches, secured third place in Group B and will play either Toronto FC or Sporting Kansas City in the round of 16 on Sunday.