Yadaly Diaby scored a curling goal to help the Vancouver Whitecaps rally from a 1-0 halftime deficit to beat Austin FC 2-1 on Saturday in Texas.
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The Vancouver Whitecaps pulled themselves back into the MLS Western Conference lead with a 2-1 comeback win over Austin FC on Saturday in Austin, Texas.
Vancouver had been all over its hosts but still trailed 1-0 after 45 minutes due to a costly mistake, before the match opened up late and the Whitecaps took control at full time.
Jesper Sorensen said the team had been on the road for a long time and were looking tight at the end, but they managed to secure the three points.
The result leaves Vancouver four points ahead in the Western Conference standings with four games left in the season.
Diaby’s winner came after the game stretched late, when the forward produced an audacious curling shot that found the far top corner of the Austin net to give the Whitecaps the lead.
Ralph Priso, who had been used mostly as a central defender this season, made a second-half cameo in defensive midfield, coming on for Andres Cubas, who was on a yellow.
Sorensen said he was pleased with how Priso helped when games opened up, including his ability to get the ball to the right spots.
Diaby has been a key addition for Vancouver, with the club describing him as a physical, fast winger who always has a plan when the ball comes to his feet.
In nine games with the Whitecaps, Diaby has rarely had to track back into his own half, helped by having Tate Johnson behind him as well as Cubas.
On the night, Vancouver’s starting lineup recorded FotMob game scores above 7.0, led by Ryan Gauld at 8.2, as the captain’s form was highlighted as important heading into and through the week after Thomas Muller was knocked out of action by a hamstring injury.
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