The Vancouver Whitecaps did a lot to alleviate fears that they had fallen off, with a 3-2 victory on the road against Real Salt Lake.
Right up until Pedro Vite’s 89th minute winner, I was drafting a report about how, out of Vancouver’s recent run of draws, this was the one I felt the best about.
Vancouver had an unfortunate start with Zavier Gozo threading the needle straight from kickoff, and Yohei Takaoka’s controller disconnecting a few minutes later. But after that, Vancouver had the game by the scruff of the neck for the most part.
Brian White scored a brace, I assume his agent was popping a bottle of champagne seeing him finally take a penalty, and Vancouver monopolized the dangerous chances the rest of the way.
At one point later on in the second half, commentator Lloyd Sam said something to the effect of “you wouldn’t be surprised if either team grabbed a winner.” But I have to contradict Mr. Sam on that one, I would have been very surprised if it wasn’t the Whitecaps that ultimately snatched the winner.
MLS got rid of their xG timeline so you are relying on my memory here, but at half-time, the xG was about 1.2 – 0.8 for Vancouver, with the penalty looming large. The xG, in the slightly janky MLS model, finished 3.4 – 1.3 for Vancouver. That is a caving in.
So, on a logical level, I would have felt good about this game, whether Pedro Vite curled that shot or not. But psychologically, it feels great that he did.
I will leave individual player reports to the Report Card, but I do think Ralph Priso turned in a performance that is worthy of a shoutout. He did a lot of interrupting in front of that back line. Ali Ahmed was also really strong once again, he was very unlucky to not pick up an assist.
Up next is a midweek game against Minnesota United, which immediately proceeds the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Truly, I would have no problem with Vancouver punting the Minnesota game. I don’t know what the MLS restrictions on MLSNP call-ups are when players are not injured, per se, but the Whitecaps should be looking to test the limits. Get Cyprian Kachwele and Johnny Selemani in there!
JS said in the post-game presser that he had no idea why the corner kick goal was disallowed. The last minute winner makes it moot and going crazy about these mysteries tends to give you more trouble later, but I hope someone in the front office is taking it up with the league. The referee was warning players all game about pre-corner stuff, but no replay showed anything on the broadcast and the announcers didn’t push much. Just a go-ahead goal after being 3-2 down after six minutes. No biggie.
For the Final, think our backs will be Sam and Ocampo with Tate on at 70.
Can we agree that Brian White takes our penalties until Ryan is back. Will also give him a better shot at the Golden boot – very hard to win that when you aren’t taking PK’s. I am quite worried for post June 1 with all the players we are losing – we need every point we can get before then. And we need Ryan ASAP.
A world class goal to win it; 2 hashes by TAKAOKA to start a terrific comeback; white could have had 4, except he can’t chip over a beached goalie
And you are right about Priso who is surprising me also
Can we be surprised what this Team can do? June 1 shouldn’t make us enter with fear
Salty
I think teams are more or less starting to figure out how we play, regardless of our win. That we keep starting the same formation isn’t quite helping imo, but I guess if it’s not broken don’t fix it?
Anyways that’s my two cents.
…13 matches unbeaten and they nearly tripled RSL in chances created tonight (3.4 xG to 1.4 xG). The recent dip in performance is obviously and clearly due to fatigue/tiredness not tactics, “teams figuring out how we play” is nonsense. Why on earth would/should the top team in the league and a continental finalist who haven’t lost a game since MARCH 22ND (only because of international window absences) do a formation change just for fun and giggles before a FINAL? This fanbase is laughable
14 games unbeaten actually
Settle down.
I made this comment tired at 10:43 PM. Chill dude.
Massive performance and result. We so needed that boost after 3 tired draws. Caps attacked in waves in the second half and fully deserved the 3 points. This team continues to astonish with so many matches, key injuries and all these air miles.
My only fear for the Final is Takaoka. He doesn’t own the box, has poor positioning, spills often and can’t save short side. The Mexicans will be aware to exploit his glaring deficiencies.
However, Sorensen’s Caps seem to have the steel and dynamism to be unstoppable. Incredible!
100% right– he can do some good stuff in goal, but he continuously makes the same mistakes that cost us goals- he is my #1 concern this season
outside of an injury to a starting 11 player, jesper’s only problem to sort out is- who will be our left and right back defenders ??
right side- ocampo or laborda?
left side- johnson or adekugbe?
of course, Nelson should start before Sabbi, Cubas before Priso and Ahmed before Ngando