Los Angeles FC 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps: Bradley´s side denied as MLS play-off race heats up

Los Angeles FC missed the chance to move into the MLS play-off spots ahead of the final round of the season after being held to a 1-1 home draw by Vancouver Whitecaps.

Vancouver could have clinched their post-season berth with victory as three points separated the two play-off chasing sides entering Tuesday’s game.

Instead, the Whitecaps will need at least a point against Western Conference leaders Seattle Sounders on Decision Day on Sunday, while LAFC face a must-win fixture away to Colorado Rapids and hope other results go their way.

Vancouver’s Cristian Dajome scored in the 14th minute to put the visitors in the box seat, rifling home after Brian White broke into space.

Cristian Dajome on the counter-attack!@WhitecapsFC open the scoring in LA. pic.twitter.com/mxx6R7ImME

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 3, 2021

Mamadou Fall equalised in first-half stoppage time, tapping home at the far post, with the goal initially disallowed for offside but reversed upon video review.

Bob Bradley’s LAFC, who won the Supporters’ Shield in 2019, peppered the Vancouver goal chasing a winner, but Whitecaps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau was unbeatable.

Vancouver are sixth in the west on 48 points – three ahead of ninth-placed LAFC, who are two points adrift of the seventh and final play-off position with one round remaining.