Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Yohei Takaoka made two saves for Vancouver on Saturday night to help the Whitecaps play St. Louis City to a 0-0 tie at Energizer Park.

Vancouver (6-1-2) has allowed just one goal during its current four-game unbeaten streak dating to a 3-1 loss to the Chicago Fire on March 22.

St. Louis (2-4-3), which is winless in five straight, snapped a four-game losing streak. Goalkeeper Ben Lundt made his sixth consecutive start in place of the injured Roman Bürki and finished with a save. Lundt has two shutouts this season.

The ‘Caps got off to a strong start, winning an early corner after some neat interplay between Ali Ahmed and Tate Johnson on the left wing. Pedro Vite whipped in the ensuing set piece to Emmanuel Sabbi, who saw his volleyed effort deflect just wide of the St. Louis goal. Sabbi was at it again in the 16th minute, as he picked up a loose ball at the top of the box and unleashed a stinging left-footed shot narrowly wide of the top left corner.

St. Louis thought that they took the lead in the 25th minute after Conrad Wallem crossed it to Marcel Hartel at the back post, but Wallem was offside in the buildup. Ahmed came close to getting the first goal of the night just past the half-hour mark, after dancing his way through the box, but his shot was blocked behind for a corner.

Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
St. Louis City’s João Klauss, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Ralph Priso (13) challenge for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Joao Klauss nearly got the go-ahead goal right before halftime, flicking on a free-kick delivery toward goal but Takaoka came up big with a massive stop from point-blank range. Whitecaps FC kept fighting hard at the end of the half, going into the break with the momentum. The second half began with both teams searching for the difference. Édier Ocampo had an effort in the 55th minute, firing a low shot from the edge of the box after the ball bounced out of the box toward him, but it was deflected behind for a corner-kick. Substitute Daniel Ríos came close to getting that long-awaited first goal, after Ahmed used the outside of his boot to curl a cross toward the onrushing striker at the near post, but his first-time effort was just wide.

The ‘Caps kept pounding at the door in the latter stages of the match, throwing numbers forward in search of a winner.

The Whitecaps are back in action on Thursday for the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions Cup semifinal against Inter Miami CF at B.C. Place Stadium in Vancouver.

Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Sebastian Berhalter (16) and St. Louis City’s Cedric Teuchert collide while battling for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Tristan Blackmon (33) passes around St. Louis City’s Marcel Hartel during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
Vancouver Whitecaps’ Édier Ocampo yells after being injured during the second half of an MLS soccer match against St. Louis City Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
St. Louis City’s Conrad Wallem (6) and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Édier Ocampo (18) battle for the ball during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Takaoka has two saves for Whitecaps in 0-0 tie with St. Louis | iNFOnews.ca
St. Louis City’s Kyle Hiebert, left, and Vancouver Whitecaps’ Emmanuel Sabbi battle for the ball as St. Louis City’s Conrad Wallem (6) watches during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 19, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer

News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

The Associated Press

The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business. More than half the world’s population sees AP journalism every day.