Ryan Gauld has three assists in Whitecaps’ 3-1 win over struggling Minnesota United

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Ryan Gauld had assists on goals by Brian White, Mathias Laborda and Sebastian Berhalter to lead the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 3-1 win over Minnesota United on Wednesday night.

Vancouver (9-7-4) took a 2-0 lead after just 17 minutes before handing Minnesota United (8-8-5) its fifth straight loss.

White used an assist from Ryan Gauld to score in the fourth minute. It was the ninth goal of the season for White, who scored three times in a come-from-behind 4-3 win over St. Louis City last time out.

The Whitecaps took a two-goal lead when Gauld and Sebastian Berhalter had assists on defenseman Mathias Laborda’s second goal of the season. Berhalter’s assist was his second this season. Laborda had one goal as a rookie last season.

Minnesota United came within one goal at halftime after Bongokuhle Hlongwane found the net from close range in the 30th minute without an assist, his sixth netter of the season.

Vancouver regained and held on to a two-goal lead after Berhalter took passes from Gauld and Alessandro Schöpf in the 60th minute to score for the second time this season and the fourth time in his career. Gauld’s assist was his seventh of the campaign, while Schöpf’s was his second.

Yohei Takaoka made two saves for the Whitecaps.

Alec Smir, 25, made one appearance for Minnesota United in his first career start and appearance.

It was the first of four consecutive away games for the Whitecaps, who play at CF Montreal on Saturday.

Minnesota United, who have not won since beating Sporting Kansas City 3-1 in early June, travel to Los Angeles Galaxy on Sunday to play there.

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The Associated Press