Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2, Colorado Rapids 2 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

The Vancouver Whitecaps scored late in each half to rally from an early two-goal deficit to draw the Colorado Rapids 2-2 Saturday night at BC Place.

Yordy Reyna provided the equalizer in the 80th minute, placing his 20-yard free kick in off the post past a rooted Tim Howard.

Diego Rubio opened the scoring in the 8th minute, crashing the back post to latch onto a Nicolas Mezquida corner that Tommy Smith initially battled for at the near post.

Mezquida then picked out Kei Kamara, who put a downward header off the turf before Andre Shinyashiki tapped in his fourth goal of the season to double the Rapids advantage in the 20th minute.

Colorado had two golden chances to extend their lead inside the opening 35 minutes, but Kamara hammered a shot off the post and Mezquida’s rebound was cleared off the line by Jake Nerwinski in the 23rd minute.

Zac MacMath then flubbed a lobbed Kamara attempt before quickly recovering in the 34th minute.

The Whitecaps cut their deficit in half in first-half stoppage time as Fredy Montero converted from the penalty spot after Ali Adnan was tripped up by Rubio in the box.

After Reyna's equalizer, Montero headed over the bar and Reyna had a similar free kick that sailed harmlessly wide at the final whistle. 

Goals

• 8’ — COL — Diego Rubio | WATCH
• 20’ — COL — Andre Shinyashiki | WATCH
• 45’+1’ — VAN — Fredy Montero (PK) | WATCH 
• 80’ — VAN — Yordy Reyna | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: On another day, the Rapids take the road point, but they leave BC Place disappointed for two points lost, which would have put them two points below the playoff line. They’ll also rue gilt-edged chances to make it 3-0. The Whitecaps survived a disastrous opening 35 minutes to secure a draw and could have stolen all three points if they were more clinical in the attacking third late.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: Terrific stuff here from Reyna, whose shot kisses the post and lands in for the late equalizer. 

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mezquida was an absolute pest against his former team with a pair of assists and having a shot cleared off the line.

Next Up

• VAN: Wednesday, June 26 at FC Dallas (9 pm ET | TSN !/3, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in US)
• COL: Friday, June 28 vs. LAFC (10 pm ET | UniMás, Twitter, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)