To the surprise of some skeptics the Vancouver Whitecaps are “the real deal” with no indication of slowing down now or in the near future considering that they are off to the best start in the club’s history.
Considering that the Canucks are out of town on what some call a dismal road trip in California traffic issues were left for the Cap’s faithful who were on hand to watch them defeat their Eastern Conference side rivals in front of 25,460 fans over New York City FC by 2-nil.
The ‘Caps started with Brian White jumping over his marker sending a cross to Jeevan Badwal moments after the opening of the match only to have the striker’s header veer off the mark.
Enjoy the media press release from the Vancouver Media Relation Department:
White found himself in a prime position to score once again in the 20th minute, after a clever backheel from Badwal put him one-on-one with NYCFC ‘keeper Matt Freese, but a last ditch block kept him from getting a shot on goal.
The ‘Caps striker kept pushing for the opening goal as the half wore on, getting another headed effort on target from a corner around the half-hour minute mark.
Freese then made a huge save just five minutes later, getting down quick to deny another White chance after the American made a snap shot from just inside the box.
After continued pressure, Whitecaps FC finally got their go-ahead goal in the 45th minute through Mathías Laborda.
A Sebastian Berhalter free kick into the box curled perfectly into the defender’s path for him to karate kick the ball into the back of the net, sending the ‘Caps into the break with a 1-0 lead.
Freese again kept NYCFC in the game at the start of the second half, coming to the rescue to deny Thomas Müller’s curled effort from the edge of the box and a Berhalter near post rocket.
Nicolás Fernández Mercau came close to scoring off a free kick at the edge of the box but his effort skimmed the crossbar.
NYCFC kept pushing for an equalizer, forcing Whitecaps FC to make several big blocks to keep their lead intact.
The White versus Freese show continued in the 78th minute with White turning his defender and going for a left footed effort at the edge of the box for Freese to push wide.
White then had another chance to double the scoreline after Emmanuel Sabbi cut it back for the striker in the six yard box, but his left footed effort went agonizingly wide of the post.
In the end, White would finally get his just reward in the 87th minute. Bruno Caicedo, fresh off the bench, cut inside after bamboozling his marker and chipped a cross towards the back post for White to head home for 2-0.
That goal would seal the deal for Whitecaps FC, giving them the three points to shoot them to the top of the MLS standings.
Whitecaps FC are back in action this coming Friday, April 17 as they host Western Conference side Sporting Kansas City. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. PT. For tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance: 25,460, Referee: Jair Marrufo
ERDINGER Man of the Match: Jeevan Badwal
Scoring Summary
45’ – VAN – Mathías Laborda (Sebastian Berhalter)
87’ – VAN – Brian White (Bruno Caicedo)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 47% – NYC 53%, Shots: VAN 23 – NYC 12
Shots on Goal: VAN 10 – NYC 2, Saves: VAN 2 – NYC 8
Fouls: VAN 16 – NYC 8 Offsides: VAN 2 – NYC 2
Corners: VAN 12 – NYC 5
Cautions
53’ – VAN – Andrés Cubas 80’ – VAN – Oliver Larraz
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