Daniel Rios scored in the 85th minute as Charlotte FC extended the Vancouver Whitecaps’ road troubles in a 2-1 victory on a steamy Sunday.
Rios scored from close range because he was in the right place for a tap-in when the Whitecaps couldn’t gain possession of the ball. Christian Ortiz collected an assist on the winning play.
It was the 27-year-old Rios’ first goal in a Charlotte uniform. Rios was in the game as a substitute for Karol Swiderski, entering the game in the 82nd minute.
The outcome ruined the MLS debut for goalkeeper Max Anchor, a 17-year-old pressed into duty for a starting assignment because of the Whitecaps’ roster problems.
All the other scoring came in the early minutes. Andre Shinyashiki scored the other Charlotte FC goal. Tosaint Ricketts scored for short-handed Vancouver.
Charlotte FC (5-7-1, 16 points) improved to 5-2-0 in home games.
Vancouver (3-7-2, 11 points) was bidding for its first point in a road game, but instead fell to 0-6-0 in those games.
Charlotte goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina made four saves.
Anchor was credited with four saves, though he had to be on full alert for much of the game. Charlotte FC held an overwhelming edge in possession time.
Vancouver was without 11 players, largely because of injuries or health and safety protocol.
Vancouver scored in the second minute when Ricketts blasted the ball into the goal, with an assist from Cristian Dajome. That came courtesy of some sloppy ball movement from Charlotte, resulting in a turnover.
Charlotte FC pulled even in the eighth minute on Shinyashiki’s header. Swiderski delivered a cross from the right side for an assist on the play.
With three goals, Shinyashiki trails only Swiderski (four goals) for the team lead.
–Field Level Media