Late goals give Whitecaps momentum for matchup with Montreal

Captain Ryan Gauld and the Vancouver Whitecaps vie to continue their fast start to the season when they host CF Montreal on Saturday night.

Gauld collected a goal and an assist in Vancouver's 4-1 victory in the season opener against the undermanned Portland Timbers on Feb. 23.

He was not done, however. He added an assist on defender Belal Halbouni's tally in the 86th minute to help the Whitecaps salvage a 1-1 draw with CF Monterrey on Wednesday in the opening match of their CONCACAF Champions Cup round of 16 series.

While Gauld was reasonably happy with the end result on Wednesday, he was less than pleased with failing to convert what he felt were several point-blank opportunities.

"I'm not used to having that many chances and missing them all," Gauld said. "If I (scored) on my chances, we could have won the game.

"Hopefully that's the one time that will happen. I just need to do better."

Vancouver (2-0-0, 6 points) has done quite nicely in MLS play thus far, following up its victory over Portland with a 2-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday.

Brian White guided home a header in the 87th minute vs. the Galaxy as the Whitecaps continued their perfect league start under new manager Jesper Sorensen.

CF Montreal (0-2-0, 0 points) are singing a different tune, however. The club followed up a 3-2 setback to Atlanta United with a 1-0 loss to Minnesota United last weekend.

"We let a point slip away, so obviously we're disappointed, maybe even a little frustrated, because it was a game within our reach," Montreal goalie Jonathan Sirois said. "... A lot of people will say it's because we're a young team and maybe a bit naive, but I think we're pretty smart guys with a good understanding of the game. We need to learn to adapt our game to different situations."

Montreal's Prince Owusu scored a goal and set up another in the season-opening loss at Atlanta.

--Field Level Media