It is amazing how Vancouver continues to win games, frequently by multiple goals, and yet still leaves you feeling as if it left something on the table. Despite a generally strong team performance, the 3-1 win over the Colorado Rapids continued that trend.

The ‘Caps took it to a chaotic, energetic Rapids side and were good value for the win, even though the final score could have looked even better. The attack was humming, Yohei Takaoka made some big saves late, and it was one of the best showings to date for Thomas Müller and Cheikh Sabaly. What does that all mean in terms of report card grades? Read on to find out.

Yohei Takaoka: 7

I think Takaoka could have done a bit better on the Rapids’ first goal, but he more than made up for it late with a superb double save to keep Colorado from clawing back an important goal. A lot of focus on Takaoka centres on his distribution, but it was a helpful reminder that his shot-stopping can win Vancouver games, too.

Tate Johnson: 6.5

Had some nervy moments early and seemed at times to get baited by the physicality and emotion that the Rapids brought. But he settled down in the second half.

Mathias Laborda: 6.5

Laborda had a couple of moments where he was a bit loose in defence, getting caught out a couple of times on the higher defensive line or giving away a cheap free kick. When Laborda got beat, however, he usually recovered to nullify the danger. He tried to outdo Tristan Blackmon with the long balls and his little weighted balls into the midfield third were often helpful, particularly in the first half.

Tristan Blackmon: 6.5

Was the more active of the two defenders but didn’t have any major issues. Blackmon went down a couple of times late with a cramp and caused everyone to have a collective heart attack, but everything looks to be in order. 

Edier Ocampo: 6.5

Seemed weirdly hesitant to take on Georgi Minoungou in defence, who got loose in space frequently on the right-hand side of the pitch. The arrival of Badwal, however, unlocked Ocampo going forward, and he was more consistently dangerous in the second half.

Andres Cubas: 8

Cubas perfectly weighted his ball to catch Zach Steffen out and pave the way for Vancouver’s second goal. Whenever Vancouver’s press started to flag, Cubas stepped up with a big play in midfield. 

Sebastian Berhalter: 7.5

Berhalter feasted in the moments where the ‘Caps press was able to win the ball in the midfield third. He controlled the tempo of this match for Vancouver. The fact that he logged the most touches of any VWFC player showed his centrality, and his hockey assist on the final goal was a fitting capstone to a fine performance. 

Cheikh Sabaly: 7.5

One or two eyebrows may have been raised when Sabaly returned to the starting XI over Bruno Caicedo, but he almost immediately repaid the manager’s loyalty with a goal. He could have had a second on several occasions and will rue those chances. But Sabaly’s excellent work on the pressure forced numerous turnovers, and it is that sort of energy and off ball movement that will continue to endear him to Jesper Sorensen.

Thomas Müller: 8

The German was fantastic in the first half, with a lovely assist to Sabaly. He was equally effective whether he popped up out wide or pulled the strings in the middle of the pitch — it was possibly his best half of the season. I thought his influence waned for a brief period at the start of the second half, but then Müller came back strong to help rally the ‘Caps. I’d prefer if Müller didn’t keep going the full 90, but you can’t argue with his determination.

Emmanuel Sabbi: 6

Sabbi had a couple of really nice moments tracking back, where he won the ball and sparked a transition opportunity. But his most promising chances in front of goal didn’t amount to much, and you wonder if perhaps there were some lingering fitness concerns there after picking up a knock in the last match. He exited for Jeevan Badwal at halftime.

Brian White: 8.5

Even aside from his goals, White looked lively early on with some great little touches and quick passes in the build-up. His hard work was justly rewarded with a well-taken brace. In vintage White fashion, he could have had four goals in this one, but this was another sharp performance.

Jeevan Badwal: 6.5

Was an unconventional choice to replace Sabbi and a bit of a strange one, as his lack of pace left him a bit exposed at time in transition moments as he tried to track back. But Badwal worked hard nonetheless and had some positive moments in the press and working with Edier Ocampo on overloads along the righthand side.

Bruno Caicedo: 7.5

Came on and nearly had an immediate impact, finding himself in space but electing to pass for Brian White rather than take the shot himself. He didn’t make that mistake a second time and was unlucky that VAR chalked off his goal. But ball don’t lie, and Caicedo had an absolutely spectacular assist to cap off the night. It is still early days, but Caicedo looks to be a major find.

Mihail Gherasimencov, Oliver Larraz, Rayan Elloumi: N/A

This crew came on late to give some starters a rest and see the game out. Nice to see Gherasimencov continue to get looks, however, as he hasn’t looked out of place in his first MLS minutes.