The football gods really haven’t been on the Vancouver Whitecaps’ side this season.

But Saturday night in Minnesota, the Caps got a bit of luck, and help from the clock, to snatch a point with the last kick of the game in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

“We’re all just fighting to the end, and on that one I was just kind of gambling at the back post. You look to your left and to your right and everyone’s dying out there … Every single guy fought til the end. To pick up a point in a hard place to play in Minnesota, when it’s really cold out, is big,” Becher told Whitecaps reporter Sarita Patel post-match.

It was the first time this season that Vancouver conceded a goal in the first half.

The ‘Caps were relentless in the second half and forced Minnesota goalkeeper Clint Irwin, who had the gloves while CanMNT keeper Dayne St. Clair was in Curaçao with the national team, to make four saves.

Brian White had several chances that would have had Caps supporters leaping off the edge of their seat and no doubt had manager Vanni Sartini jumping up and down on the touchline. The American hit a spinning left-footed shot from the middle of the box that looped off the top of the crossbar in the opening minute of the match, and several prime chances as the night went on.

Vancouver nearly tied the match in the 77th minute. Ranko Veselinovic headed in a rebound off a White header from a free kick, but Tristan Blackmon was offside and the official immediately put the flag up.

Though the Caps are still chasing a first league win in 2023, winning a point like that could be the push Vancouver really needs to play to their level. If 23 shot attempts, which the Caps had Saturday night, is their level, then they should find the back of the net more than once. But progress is a process.

The Caps can now focus on a three-match homestand starting next weekend with an All-Canadian clash against CF Montréal on April 1, followed by a CONCACAF Champions League quarter-final tie against reigning MLS champions LAFC on April 5, before a Cascadia matchup against the Portland Timbers on April 8 on the club’s annual Vaisakhi Night.