In-form Scotland maestro nets past World Cup winner in first leg of potential play-off trilogy

Gauld - who put in a ‘world-class’ performance by netting a hat-trick the previous round against Portland Timbers - did not play as big a part away BMO Stadium, but the former Dundee United and Hibs man managed to get on the scoresheet five minutes into stoppage time when he fired home a left-footed effort from just inside the penalty box past veteran French World Cup-winning goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Whitecaps were clearly sluggish, playing just four days after their big 5-0 Western Conference Wildcard round win away in Portland, while LAFC had more than a week to prepare. The hosts, with another France World Cup star in Olivier Giroud leading the line, took the lead on the half-hour mark through a Denis Bouanga penalty and then doubled their advantage on 57 minutes through Cristian Olivera.

Gauld’s fellow Scotland internationalist Stuart Armstrong - also impressive in the last round - played 65 minutes in midfield before being replaced by Alessandro Schopf.

Vancouver welcome Los Angeles back to BC Place in the early hours of Sunday morning UK time. Should Vancouver win that match, then the third leg of the trilogy will be played back BMO Stadium on the morning of November 9.

Whitecaps captain Gauld, capped four times by Scotland in the past two months, is not the only national team player involved in the latter stages of the North American season. Forward Lewis Morgan will be in action on Tuesday at 10.45pm GMT when New York Red Bulls face Columbus Crew away at Lower.com Field in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Round One tie.