As the Vancouver Whitecaps get set to take on LAFC in the first round of the MLS playoffs on Saturday, a familiar face will be standing in the way looking to upend Vancouver’s MLS Cup dreams.
Max Crepeau is the last line of defence for LAFC.
The former Whitecaps goalkeeper asked for a trade out of Vancouver prior to the 2022 MLS season and Whitecaps fans haven’t forgotten. Crepeau was serenaded with boos from the Vancouver faithful every time he touched the ball during Saturday’s regular season finale at BC Place.
The 29-year-old Crepeau is not known for playing the role of villain, but it’s something he seemed to thrive on in front of the largest Whitecaps crowd (25,146 fans) of the season.
“It’s part of the passion that people have for the game,” Crepeau said Saturday, when he was asked about the reception he received. “It exists everywhere and you’ve got to carry on. I don’t honestly pay attention to the boos, you can hear it obviously, I’m not deaf, but I don’t pay any attention too much. What’s important is what happens between the white lines.”
Crepeau’s enthusiastic tactics to try and delay Ryan Gauld’s penalty kick opportunities and get under the skin of his former teammates riled up Whitecaps fans and came as a surprise to his Canadian national teammate, Sam Adekugbe.
“I was just shocked,” Adekugbe told Daily Hive following Whitecaps training today. “Honestly, I was shocked. I wasn’t angry, I was just shocked. It looks like I was tussling with him, but I was like, c’mon Max I know you, you’re not that guy. I know you’re better than that. Best believe we owe him something when we go back to LA.”
Whitecaps MVP candidate Ryan Gauld knows that a goalkeeper is going to try and do everything they can to try and interrupt someone before they take a penalty kick.
🧱 Maxime Crépeau said NO. 🧱 pic.twitter.com/ZyL0PZ8OM1
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2023
Seeing what Crepeau did isn’t going to influence Gauld the next time he steps up to the spot. Gauld’s approach stays the same no matter what the attempted distraction is.
“It’s obviously what goalies do because the odds are against them on a penalty,” Gauld said Daily Hive after training. “They do what they can to turn the odds in their favour. He didn’t get in my head at all. The first one, I went for the bottom corner, and I would say it’s a good save from Max. The second one, I’ve just over compensated. I was trying to pinpoint the top corner. Hopefully things can get better from here.”
When it’s playoff time the temperature between two teams is often dialled up. When you factor in a star player facing his former club and the fact that Vancouver and LAFC have already met four times in two separate competitions, the intensity is going to be elevated.
“It was funny to see him act the way he was in the game,” Adekugbe said. “I actually spoke to him after the game, I was like, when did you become such a… it was only a week ago we were joking around in Japan. Seeing that side of him, it’s something different and unique.”
#VWFC fans making themselves heard as #LAFC’s Max Crepeau speaks to Apple TV postgame.#MLS pic.twitter.com/mSWB10ihGN
— Har Journalist (@HarJournalist) October 22, 2023
Nine yellow cards were issued on Saturday, seven went to LAFC, including LAFC coach Steve Cherundolo. A mass confrontation in the 73rd minute resulted in an undisclosed fine being issued to LAFC’s Kellyn Acosta, Cherundolo, and the LAFC organization.
LAFC holds a 2-1-1 record over Vancouver across all competitions in 2023. The Whitecaps’ win over LAFC came in MLS play on June 24, in a 3-2 match at BMO Stadium.
The Whitecaps will host their first MLS playoff game since 2017 on Sunday, November 5 at BC Place.
ROUND 1 IS SET 🗓
MLS Cup Playoffs return to @BCPlace on Sun, Nov 5 at 4:30pm!
Secure your tickets now 🎟 https://t.co/H797NU5I5T#VWFC| #VANvLAFC
— x – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) October 22, 2023
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