Ryan Gauld scored his fifth goal of the playoffs and was involved in two more as the Vancouver Whitecaps beat visiting LAFC 3-0 to even their Round 1 series on Sunday evening.
Western Conference-leading LAFC scored twice against the eighth-seeded Whitecaps, snapping a seven-game winless streak in all competitions against the Black-and-Gold.
The deciding Game 3 will take place on Friday evening in Los Angeles, the site of a 2-1 win over LAFC in Game 1 last week. The winner of Game 3 will face the fourth-seeded Seattle Sounders, who swept Houston in their series, in the Western Conference semifinals later this month.
Yohei Takaoka made four saves to post his second clean sheet of the postseason as Vancouver extended its streak after being swept by LAFC in this round last season.
Ryan Hollingshead and Eddie Segura were honored with their goals for LAFC, which is seeking a third consecutive MLS Cup appearance.
The Whitecaps were leading 2-0 in the 13th minute.
After a deep LAFC transition down the left side, Gauld received a pass to the left of the penalty area. He dribbled past a defender and passed to Brian White, who sent the ball to Stuart Armstrong but his shot was deflected.
Gauld followed the game and drove in the rebound in the 10th minute from close range with goalkeeper Hugo Lloris scratching.
After three minutes, Gauld was on the right side and drove the ball towards the penalty area.
Hollingshead tried to curl the ball but it went back into his own net.
LAFC’s best chance to get back into the game came early in the second half. Denis Bouanga forced Takaoka to make a superb save in the 60th minute. Bouanga again had a shot blocked in 67.
Vancouver added insurance in the 68th minute. Gauld hit another cross that Segura redirected onto his own goal line.
–Field Level Media
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