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Whitecaps Reach First Western Final After Penalty Shootout Over LAFC

The win ends two years of playoff losses to LAFC, setting up a Nov. 29 conference final against San Diego or Minnesota.

Overview

  • Vancouver advanced after a 2-2 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout in front of a club-record crowd of 53,957 at BC Place.
  • Emmanuel Sabbi opened the scoring from a Yohei Takaoka long ball, and Mathías Laborda added a first-half goal then converted the decisive penalty.
  • Son Heung-min scored twice for LAFC, including a stoppage-time free kick that forced extra time following Tristan Blackmon’s second yellow card.
  • The Whitecaps finished extra time with nine players after Belal Halbouni left injured with substitutions exhausted, yet held on for penalties.
  • Hugo Lloris criticized BC Place’s artificial turf post-match, while Vancouver will be without the suspended Blackmon for the conference final.