Takaoka’s effort in net helps Vancouver Whitecaps salvage scoreless draw against Austin FC

By Canadian Press on May 17, 2025.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Vancouver goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka posted five saves and recorded his sixth Major League Soccer shutout of the season helping the Vancouver Whitecaps earn a scoreless draw against Austin FC on Saturday.

Takaoka proved invaluable for the Western Conference-leading Whitecaps (8-1-4) who were lacklustre offensively and were outshot 16-5 by Austin (5-6-3).

Probably Takaoka’s biggest save of the night occurred in the 83rd minute when he turned away Osman Bukari’s blast to the left with a diving save.

Austin had three corner kicks in the matches’ first five minutes.

Despite Vancouver maintaining possession for a little more than half the match, Austin goalkeeper Brad Stuver didn’t make his first save until the 73rd minute off Brian White’s header.

With the draw, Vancouver extended its unbeaten streak to 11 contests. Vancouver hasn’t lost since a 3-1 defeat against Chicago on March 22.

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

The Associated Press