Kerwin Vargas scored for Charlotte FC and Simon Becher replied for the Vancouver Whitecaps as both sides played to a 1-1 draw in their second match at the 2023 Coachella Valley Invitational on Saturday at Empire Polo Club. Four minutes in, Charlotte had the first chance to score as Kerwin Vargas's free kick effort hit the side netting and out for a Whitecaps goal kick. The Caps followed with a couple chances of their own in the 19th minute, with Javain Brown and Russell Teibert both having their
Mark Sykes and Sam Bell's first-half goals proved the difference despite Ched Evans' strike pegging the visitors back. Sections of Deepdale could be heard chanting against the Preston boss before the team were then booed off at half-time.
The Light Blues missed several chances before early substitute Malik Tillman put them ahead with a header in first-half added time - but the visitors levelled in the 65th minute with a Jordan White header. Left-back Borna Barisic's deflected free-kick in the 75th minute ultimately gave the home side all three points but Beale, who is unbeaten in 12 games - 11 wins and a draw - since taking over as Gers boss in November, believes the scoreline should have been inflated. "We're still searching for a performance here at Ibrox where we take our chances," said Beale, who revealed midfielder John Lundstram - who made way for Tillman after just 11 minutes - will have a scan on his ankle.