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Club Tijuana took the initiative in the first half as they knew that a win was needed to advance on to the Round of 32 in the Leagues Cup competition.
The Mexican club clearly came to win after their disappointing match against LA Galaxy. Vancouver began the game very tentatively which almost proved disastrous, as Tijuana opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Kevin Castanede volleyed a shot into the Vancouver goal. A minute later, the away side almost scored their second goal were it not for a great save my Whitecaps' keeper Yohel Takaoka.
Brian White nearly levelled the score in the 11th minute mark with a great header from a corner, but an amazing save by Antonio Rodrigues kept Tijuana in the lead.
Whitecaps interim coach, Michael D’Agostino, who was filling in for the suspended Vanni Sartini, needed to do something to ignite the Whitecaps' attack in the second half. Bringing in Levonte Johnson seemed to do just the trick, as they quickly began to take control of the game. Rather than sitting back and allowing Tijuana time to control the ball at the back, the more aggressive pressure by the forwards seemed to fluster the visitors' defenders and changed the tempo of the game.
Fafa Picault tied things up in the 49th minute on a quick counterattack that began with the Whitecaps goalkeeper. Two touches later, the ball was on Picault’s feet and he was able to break in free on the left side and slid his shot past the charging Tijuana ‘keeper. Substitute Johnson scored in the 77th minute to give Vancouver a 2-1 lead.
With the Whitecaps in the lead, Tijuana seemed to become complacent and allowed Vancouver numerous attempts to increase the lead. The Mexicans were reduced to 10 men after Aaron Mejia Montoya was given a red card in the 81st minute for bringing down Fafa Picault as he was breaking free for a clear attempt on goal.
Vancouver put the game out of reach in the 83rd minute when Picault stripped the ball from the Tijuana defender just outside the box, laid the ball back to Pedro Vite who placed is low shot into the corner of the goal from 20 meters for the Whitecaps' third goal of the night.
Vancouver Whitecaps return to BC Place this Wednesday, August 8 as they face Pumas UNAM in the Leagues Cup Round of 32.
