Raise your hand if you saw that coming? OK, now put your hand down.
The Vancouver Whitecaps had enough of their first-teamers on the mend to put together a credible starting XI on Sunday night, but no one foresaw a 3-0 drubbing of a lacklustre Seattle Sounders side.
Jeevan Badwal opened his Whitecaps account and Tristan Blackmon cut open the Sounders backline forcing a pair of red cards and putting the home side in the driver’s seat. The bizarre nature of the match leaves us with plenty to ponder for the Caps’ depth pieces. Who had the most notable performances? Let’s take a look.
Yohei Takaoka: 6.5
Didn’t have much to do but was confident in leading the makeshift squad and came well off his line at times to cut out some promising Sounders attacks.
Mathias Laborda: 6.5
Got absolutely cooked by Ryan Kent a couple of times early and struggled positionally to adjust as a wing back, leaving space in behind for Seattle players to take advantage of. He then came out like a man possessed in the second half, winning a key duel and then forcing Nouhou into a sending off. Overall, it was a solid showing from Laborda in an unusual position.
Ranko Veselinovic: 7
Looked exceedingly comfortable, putting up six clearances and marshalling the new look backline — no easy task given the unusual personnel grouping and the new formation.
Tristan Blackmon: 8.5
A masterclass from Blackmon, adding plenty of fodder for his defender of the year highlight reel. Rock solid defensively and played some gorgeous balls, including both diagonals to force Seattle red cards. It sounds weird to say but I don’t think you can argue Blackmon was the creative engine for the Caps in this one.
Bjorn Utvik: 7
Had one slip up early and then had no real issues, with Utvik not having a ton to do, even in the air (only one aerial duel).
Edier Ocampo: 7
Enjoyed being able to get forward more and was at the forefront of the Caps’ most dangerous moments in the first half, including the goal. He was quieter in the second half but this was a sharp game for Ocampo, with a high work rate on both ends of the pitch. This tactical flourish suits Ocampo quite well.
Ralph Priso: 7.5
The match opened up beyond legibility after the two Seattle red cards but I thought Priso helped keep the midfield tight and buttoned up before then, frustrating the Sounders and forcing them out wide to find pockets of space. Was quality on the ball when given the time and looked confident while doing so. Just don’t let him near a corner flag.
Jeevan Badwal: 7.5
Badwal had some nice moments and then celebrated his first home start with a bang shortly before half time with a well weighted toe poke that Brian White would be proud of. Was too over-eager defensively, finding himself out of position or committing needless fouls. Badwal plays like a 19-year-old, both for good and for ill, and we saw more of the good tonight.
J.C. Ngando: 6.5
While Ngando seems to dribble himself into trouble at times, he also had undeniable moments of real quality. An artful little dummy/flick to allow Badwal to score and he followed that up with two other key passes.
Emmanuel Sabbi: 7.5
Had some wasteful moments going forward early, blowing a golden chance on the break with too much indecision. I thought he got much better as the Caps got more direct in their play, getting more physical and having a fascinating matchup with Nouhou. He finished really strong, winning a penalty, drawing a red card and looking locked in 1v1 in the second half. This was the best showing from Sabbi in awhile.
Daniel Rios: 7
Saw a bit more work rate from Rios and he found himself in some good positions in the box. But his goal came when he whipped out an absolute worldie from the top of the box for the Caps’ second.
Belal Halbouni: 6.5
Came on and immediately nearly gave away a handball as the last man, but was otherwise fine.
Damir Kreilach: 6.5
Well, we know Kreilach is alive anyway. I couldn’t tell you a thing aside from the goal he did but he bagged his penalty with aplomb.
I thought this was sneakily a top 3 Blackmon game of all time. I guess it has to be curved to the relative lack of Sounders attack he had to deal with, but I would argue he was close to perfect. 9.0 or 9.5 for me.
HOW CAN WE NOT BE PROUD OF WHAT WE SAW!!
1. Takaoka- solid when he had to be- 8.0
2. Blackmon- a monster of a game and easily the POTM- 9.0
3. Rios- he only has 2 goals this season and is often invisible when playing – but OH MY WORD… WHAT A STUNNER OF A GOAL- 7.5 for the world class shot
4. Prios- more than any other Cap player, he has been the best surprise this season- 7.5
5. Ocampo- he suits the role as an attacking MF and should be given more time in that role- 7.0
6. Ngando- he needs to push on himself to be a more impactful MF- I think there is more in his tool kit- 6.5
7. Sorensen- was he lucky with the line-up and game tactics? The more he does, the more I think that, with this Team, he is magical- 8.5
Seriously anyone who had the G.I. issues I want to give a perfect 10 to. I think Blackmon was one of them who got sick as he was listed as questionable. That nutmeg late in the game was epic. And his diagonal passing sublime. And Laborda’s little header won them the first red. He should get credit for that.
I think everyone who started had the GI issues, except Taka, Laborda, and Halbouni. Commendations all around for sure!
It’s true about that header. If he doesn’t take it or if it goes anywhere else, that’s probably a yellow. Seeing it from a distance live I didn’t pick up on that.
Laborda did get burned a few times earlier, but it’s hard to fault any of the players trying on a new shape on so little training.
That was a very risky move by Sorenson but he’s playing with house money and it turned out to be an inspired one. Schmetzer admitted afterwards that he didn’t see it coming. I suppose the caps just reminded themselves about playing on Van’s tactical carrousel and thought “ At least this time it makes sense to try it.”
What a remarkable performance to start a crucial month of games.