Vancouver will enter a much needed break on a high, smashing Sporting Kansas City 3-0 on the heels of a scintillating first half and a second 45 minutes that, well, did enough to get the win (and the clean sheet) over the line.
Jayden Nelson and JC Ngando were as good as they’ve been in a ‘Caps uniform to date. Brian White continues to struggle. What does that all mean for the report card? Read on to find out.
Yohei Takaoka: 7.5
Didn’t have a ton to do but delivered when called upon with a truly spectacular save, one of the first of the night, to deny a certain Sporting goal (with the help of the crossbar). Struggled with some of SKC’s long throws early but those were the only moments Taka looked uncomfortable.
Edier Ocampo: 7
Got very involved early and effectively attacked SKC with his overlapping runs, pulling defenders with him to try and open up space in the box for other runners. Provided some nice service, including a would be assist to Brian White on a goal chalked off for offsides.
Bjorn Utvik: 7
Both central defenders had some shaky moments on the ball in the first 10 minutes of the game — but Utvik bent but didn’t break. A credible Ranko Veselinovic impression, which was all the ‘Caps needed in this one.
Tristan Blackmon: 8
Blackmon popped up nicely in more forward areas, causing Sporting KC problems in choosing who to close down, and his passing helped bypass a helpless Sporting midfield. He had some solid 1v1 defending to boot and went head to head with Dejan Joveljic, who is not often out-muscled, and won those physical duels. A couple moments in this should go high up in his defender of the year highlight reel.
Mathias Laborda: 7.5
I don’t think Laborda bombing forward was in the game plan but he did it well and it threw SKC for a loop and created some chaos and his goal to seal the win was well-earned. He had some slip ups in defense, with a couple of ill-timed giveaways, but he deserves credit for putting in a shift at both fullback positions and providing a bonafide attacking outlet on both sides.
Andres Cubas: 6.5
A few sloppy moments early but he tightened things up in a hurry and helped the ‘Caps dominate the Sporting KC midfield in the first half. Was replaced at halftime by Ralph Priso after reporting some groin tightness, leaving ‘Caps fans worried about another injury to a key player. It wasn’t an accident that a lull came when he exited.
Sebastian Berhalter: 7
When the ‘Caps were firing in the first half, Berhalter was often the reason why, picking SKC apart with lateral through balls and switching the point of attack to keep things from getting stale (as they have sometimes recently) and getting the wide players 1v1 opportunities. His influence waned, however, in the second, as the SKC midfield beefed up and started to grow into the match. Overall, though, it was a typically strong performance from Seb.
JC Ngando: 7.5
This was a really sharp performance from Ngando, who is trying to make his case as a full-time Vite replacement by offering his now trademark ability to be extraordinarily difficult to win the ball off of. He drove the ball forward well in space and played some excellent line splitting balls. He was a constant menace for a Sporting midfield that often just looked over matched and it was fitting that his goal came off a second ball, which he gobbled up for much of the match.
Jayden Nelson: 8.5
This was probably Nelson’s best match since week one and he absolutely tormented SKC — to the point where the ref misinterpreted Nelson’s physical dominance as fouling. The ‘Caps quickly looked to make him the centre of things and it paid off with a mint assist on the first goal. He probably should have had even more in the way of goal involvements with three key passes and a boat load of shots. A dominant man of the match performance.
Brian White: 6
Another night where nothing went right for White and he was probably the weak link here. He missed another chance you’d expect White to bury and then was caught centimetres offside to deny him his 100th goal. Fought hard and his presence in the box absorbs attention to create space for others but he will look to use the upcoming break to regroup.
Emmanuel Sabbi: 7
Had some wasteful moments early, including a sloppy first touch early that resulted in a needless booking. But he moved well to open up Ocampo and moved well to find himself at the back post to grab a goal. He was galvanized after the goal and had a nice synergy not just with Ocampo but Nelson as well. Still, Sabbi faded a bit in the second half and needed to sharpen his decision making in some of those transition moments.
Ralph Priso: 6
Struggled a bit with SKC’s increased midfield pressure and he never really looked comfortable after coming on at halftime.
Daniel Rios: 6.5
Could have had a goal but for a nice save from John Pulskamp. Jesper Sorensen needs to admit at some point that Rios isn’t a winger, however.
Tate Johnson, Jeevan Badwal, Belal Halbouni: N/A
Johnson wasn’t quite as dynamic as Ocampo but still is smart in creating the types of overlapping runs that Nelson loves to exploit. Badwal got forward well and Halbouni helped get Blackmon a well-earned rest.
Muller is going to be amazing for the Caps. The ‘aged winner ‘ LOL. The Caps are playing great and a guy like Muller will fit in easily with them. He’s not an ego madonna. He’s a humorous, immensely intelligent ‘raumdeuter’. His work rate is phenomenal. I can see him loving playing with these guys and these guys loving playing with him. We don’t know when Gauld is back or if he even will be this season. If Seba doesn’t play the entire team drops a level. I don’t think the idea is to make him the centre of the team and of course they were not scouting him. This is just one of those opportunities that happens in a good life. For PR it’s also great considering the fact that the team is in danger of maybe leaving town. Smart move. Lots of people will watch the Caps if Muller is out there. They already are attracting way more attention so even more is great for the team. This is the golden generation so it’s nice to see the owners are willing to throw more at it. Sorenson and Axel would also have approved this. I highly doubt the owners were just like ‘Muller should come and we don’t care what you think.’ I guess we will hear from Thomas himself if this goes through. Southlands horse ranches !! Mountains !! I’m a huge Muller fan and also the Caps. I can see the stadium from our place and my kid and I ride to all the games.
And also I feel like Sorenson created a roaming interplaying style where players found space and then exploited it creating space somewhere else and eventually scoring. That was what everyone loved for the first half of the season so clearly this is another reason Muller fits right in.
well said- having talked to a few people and re-thinking, getting Muller for this season on $687K is the right move- his winning pedigree, work ethic, ambition to score, fitting into the Team easily without an enlarged ego and ability to adapt his game will all enhance our Team- get Gauld back to his old form (still not convinced he will be back this season), Ahmed back, White hitting on all cylinders again, integrating Carbrara and hopefully a new experienced CB/left defender, and this Cap Team is a serious contender for the MLS Cup – never thought i would say that BEFORE new owners are found and a SoccerSpecificStadium is built (this build-up reminds of the Caps 1978)- the buzz is building
Salty
for once, Colsmith and i are on the same page re: signing Mueller- its a gamble for 2026 when he will get a large DP salary; for this year, its an easy call- his experience and professionalism will be valuable
Ratings:
1. Brian White- he will begin to score again after the break- he is having chances- if he wasnt, then i would be concerned- 1 BIG question- how will he and Muller fit together? 5.5
2. the 2 ‘new ‘ CBs- halbouni and utvik- they did well, but harder tests will come- Belal sure looks like a solid, tall CB, and Utvik comes ready to play every game- i still hope that Axel brings in a solid CB- 6.5
3. Takaoka- has looked solid for several games and did make a world class save – 8.0
4. Ngando- finally a game where he stood out, something like in April- can he do it consistently ? it will be determined by his training, fitness, belief and ambition– 8.0
5. Cubas- 7.0- so pesky to the opponents
6. Berhalter- some of his cross field passes were supreme and his work ethic was his usual top notch- 7.5
7. Sabbi- blows hot and cold in games- when he is dribbling, i am not sure if he knows where he is going- 6.5
8. Blackmon- solid leadership- 8.0
9. Laborda- just seeing him do a step ladder leap to head the ball for a goal was quite amazing- 7.5
9. POTM- Jayden Nelson- while he still lacks finish- and probably always will- he does create havoc for the opponents- he can be frustrating for other strikers as he doesnt know when to pass – 8.5
it was good to finish the long stretch from june to the break on a positive note over the last 3 games- 7/9 points is a very good result (1H, 2A)
Salty
Hey Andrew, re Nelson’s physical play, pushing or charging an opponent in the back is a foul, and that’s what Nelson was getting called for, numerous times. Perhaps Nelson is committing a tactical foul to prevent a counter attack. And that’s fine, but you got to be careful not to draw a yellow card for careless, reckless or the accumulation of fouls. Perhaps Nelson should pressure the opponent, without fouling, to create a bad pass and a turnover. Re the possible Mueller signing, hoping for his winning mentality and leadership, the caps already have a winning mentality. As far as leadership goes we already have that as well: Blackmon, Takaoka, Laborda, Cubas, Berhalter, White and Gauld. All these players have been caps for a while. Some have played under 3 caps coaches. I think they know now what works and what doesn’t. And all the caps must trust Sorensen’s leadership qualities as well. So if Mueller is signed he just needs to be the best player he can be and accept whatever role Sorensen has for him. Remember the aged, winner, leader that Mark Messier was and how that worked out for the Canucks. Just saying these types of signings often don’t work.