The Vancouver Whitecaps moved to the top of the MLS Supporters’ Shield standings with a 2-0 victory over Eastern Conference contenders NYCFC.
It wasn’t particularly pretty, but it was fairly comfortable for the Whitecaps in the end, as goals from Mathias Laborda and Brian White at the end of each half were enough to see off the visitors.
While you struggle to pinpoint too many points for improvement, perhaps it is a sign of how high their own standards are nowadays that it feels like Vancouver can play better. With that being said, wins are wins, and let’s dive into the player ratings from yet another valuable three points for Jesper Sørensen’s side.
Yohei Takaoka – 7.5
This wasn’t one of those games were Takaoka had a lot to do, only making two saves, but he did what he had to well. This included dealing with some, frankly, terrible back-passes with confidence, and generally he was as calm and composing of a presence as he always is behind the backline.
Edier Ocampo – 7
It was a solid game for Ocampo. He locked down Hannes Wolf and limited the Austrian international to 25 touches, the lowest of any player on the pitch, while also using his pace to help defend the pace of New York’s attack late into the game.
However, there were a couple of dicey moments; his poor back pass to Takaoka could have proved fatal, and he was very fortunate to have been bailed out by his keeper, while he struggled to clear the ball to bypass the NYCFC press on a handful of occasions.
Tristan Blackmon – 7.5
Blackmon is another player whose performance was mostly solid but marred by one or two individual errors that on this occasion he got away with.
He made a vital block to keep his team in the lead, but minutes later he also gifted possession to NYCFC that resulted in an opportunity. However, he atoned for that by excellently picking out Bruno Caicedo to set up the second goal, and he did enough to ensure that his team won the game kept a clean sheet.
Mathias Laborda – 8.5
Offensively, Laborda did what he does best. He expertly evaded the defenders to get on the end of a Sebastian Berhalter set piece and then finish with aplomb to make it 1-0.
However, there were a few shaky moments at the back, with Laborda struggling to effectively communicate with Takaoka. This led to New York having a couple of opportunities that they really shouldn’t have had, and Vancouver were lucky they just couldn’t put them away.
Still, with a goal and a clean sheet, you can’t really ask more from your stand-in centre-half.
Tate Johnson – 7
Similar to Ocampo, Tate Johnson had a game where he was solid, but you’d struggle to pinpoint any notable or impressive moments.
The best way of analysing Johnson’s impact is that Agustin Ojeda, who had three goal contributions from the opening six games of the season, looked anonymous throughout and wasn’t offered an opportunity to hurt the clean sheet. That is to Tate’s credit, and indicative of how good he and the rest of Vancouver’s defence have become.
Andres Cubas – 7
Vancouver are yet to concede a goal with Andres Cubas on the field, and after seeing his performance against NYCFC it is easy to understand why.
The Paraguayan was impressive throughout the first half, breaking up attacks and preventing the opposition from having any momentum. However, a poorly timed challenge on the edge of the area put him on a yellow card, meaning he was taken off after an hour on his return to the side.
Sebastian Berhalter – 7.5
Another game, another Berhalter contribution. After his heroics last week against Portland, he made something happen for the Whitecaps again, this time from an exceptional set-piece that found a wide open Laborda.
Beyond that, he created a few chances and would have picked up more assists if his teammates could finish them, while he was solid and tidy in midfield and helped to keep control of the game.
Jeevan Badwal – 8
Jeevan Badwal has been a revelation for the Whitecaps this season, and this was yet another example of the Canadian showing his talents and growing into his role.
He created multiple opportunities for White and was very unlucky not to grab himself an assist, before dropping deeper into midfield and ably covering for Cubas to see the result out. Overall, it was a very strong afternoon for the 20-year-old.
Thomas Müller – 7
One of the quieter performances for the German, who beyond a couple of snapshots and a mazy carry forward had very little influence on proceedings. Still, his presence and experience were vital in steadying the ship and helping Vancouver restore control after a spell where New York looked likely to get back into the game.
Cheikh Sabaly – 7.5
Sabaly has improved game-on-game since his arrival, and this felt like his best performance yet.
He was positive and energetic going up against Tayvon Gray, digging out crosses and make chances for his teammates, although he was hooked just after the hour mark as the Whitecaps looked to restore momentum.
Still, it looks like Vancouver have a real player on their hands, and the prospect of him adapting to the league and continuing to grow into the season is definitely an exciting one.
Brian White – 8
Alex and Sam did a section on him at the end of the report yesterday, so I won’t repeat them too much, but holding him to the standards that he has previously shown at this club, this was a hit-and-miss display from Brian White.
White scored the clubs’ 700th MLS regular season goal, and as the club’s top scorer in that period thoroughly deserves to be the one to reach that milestone. However, he had multiple other chances to score and couldn’t take any of them.
An in form and firing White would have had about three goals from the positions he was in. But if he can continue to play like this, then the goals will come, and all of a sudden, the Whitecaps will be an even more terrifying opposition.
Substitutes – 8
There are plenty of positive notes to take from Sørensen’s changes, as it looked like everyone who had been brought on added energy and dynamism to the team.
Emmanuel Sabbi looked more threatening than he has done so far this season, while Bruno Caicedo looked lively on his second appearance for the club and thoroughly deserved to get himself off the mark with the assist for White’s clincher. Oliver Larraz also packed plenty of energy, but he was booked soon after coming onto the pitch and very quickly had to calm down. Elloumi was bright in injury time, but he wasn’t given enough to have any influence.
There was a question/complaint about the officiating on a non offside call. The attacking player was played in on a potential breakaway. Takaoka read the danger and came outside his penalty area to clear the ball into touch, conceding a throw in about 25 yards from the goal line. The attacker probably was offside. It was very close. I believe the assistant referee in these situations are instructed to keep the flag down and play should continue while var quickly checks for offside. There are/used to be 3 criteria for offside to be given: interferes with play; interferes with an opponent and gains an advantage by being in that offside position. I know defenders don’t like this and fans will debate this too. But the attacking player did not touch the ball so there is no offside to be called. Let’s say Takaoka cleared that ball straight up the pitch, over the heads of the defenders and Brian White catches it on the half volley and scores. Would the fans want that goal disallowed and play to be started with a caps indirect free kick. I know the plays are different but at the same time as far as the Offside Law goes the plays are the same. I could be wrong but that’s my take