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Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
May 20, 2017 |
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@HarJournalist
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Whitecaps returned home to B.C. Place to take on Sporting Kansas City. The Caps shook off some earlier jitters and claimed a decisive 2-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City in front off 21,020 spectators on a gloriously sunny afternoon in Vancouver.
Cristian Techera opened the scoring, and Tim Parker scored his first career MLS goal, in the second half. Christian Bolanos setup both goals, and David Ousted made 2 saves to earn a clean sheet. Vancouver improves to 5-5-1 on the season.
Carl Robinson was happy to see his team come home and pick up a big win.
"It’s nice to be back home," said Robinson. "I think it took us a little bit of time to get into the game. I think we weren't at our levels in the first half, but we went in 1-0 at halftime. Wonderful goal, super technique, super cross, super touch. But I think we needed to lift it, because they’re a good team, the standings don’t lie. I challenged them at halftime, I said ‘we need to up it, otherwise we’ll get into a right game’. And we knew it would be a difficult game, and it proved to be that. But key moments in games turn games and they went for us today."
Christian Bolanos was the straw that stirred the Whitecaps FC offence. The Costa Rican international was glad Vancouver scored early, against such a solid opponent.
"You know its football, Kansas City plays really well with the ball, that’s why they are in first place, we tried to press them and we were happy to score on the first chance and we got it. Football is about goals, it doesn't matter if you get 60 percent of the ball, if you don’t score, nothing happens. The second half, we scored on the set piece."
The Opening 45
Coach Carl Robinson elected to go with the same starting formation, and exact same lineup for the fifth consecutive match. Fredy Montero started as the lone striker, and Matias Laba protected the back-four in a strong 4-1-4-1 formation.
Sporting Kansas City had a brilliant chance to score in the 19' minute. Jordan Harvey hit the deck, and Gerso Fernandes had the ball and all sorts of time and space in front of an on rushing David Ousted. The Caps keeper got enough of the ball to slow down the shot. Kendall Waston came back to clear the ball away from danger.
The Whitecaps broke through and opened the scoring in the 39' minute with a brilliant display. Sheanon Williams delivered a beautiful cross into the box. Christian Bolanos controlled the ball off his chest to an unmarked Cristian Techera. The Bug volleyed the ball home past goalkeeper Tim Melia for his third goal of the season.
"I was lucky because I tried to play quick to Techera and his first touch is a great touch. I think it’s a beautiful goal," said Bolanos.
It took some time for the first shot on target to register, but Vancouver made it count thanks to The Bug. Going into the interval, Whitecaps FC was ahead 1-0. Sporting Kansas City held a 59% - 41% possession advantage, and nothing to show for it.
The Second Half
Peter Vermes looked to get his team going with a substitution before the second half. Elmira, Ontario native, Tyler Pasher made way after making his MLS debut. Jimmy Medranda came on to try and spark the Kansas City offence.
Vancouver was awarded a gift of a penalty in the 51' minute. Seth Sinovic was called for a push in the back on Fredy Montero. Referee Baldomero Toledo pointed to the spot, despite disapproval from Sporting Kansas City.
Montero stepped up, but Tim Melia dove to his right to make a fantastic save. He did even better to come out of his net to track down the ball, and prevent Montero, and an on rushing Bolanos from scoring on the rebound.
The Whitecaps weren't deterred, and they kept coming with several quality chances to double their lead. The visitors did well to get in front of shots from Montero. Tim Melia made a pair of massive saves to keep his team down by a single goal.
Alphonso Davies was the victim of a dangerous rash tackle in 65' minute. The 16 year-old rookie was taken to the ground after Roger Espinoza came from behind with a sliding tackle that caught a big piece of Davies legs. The Caps were not pleased with what could have been a leg breaking challenge. Espinoza was issued a yellow card.
"I slid," said Espinoza when asked about the tackle. "I slid, and then I was already going for the tackle, but it wasn't nothing bad. He got up, and said, 'Hey I saw you slip, and no problem."
MLS Disco could potentially end up looking at the challenge for further discipline. Espionza was not concerned with what could potentially be coming his way.
"That's not my decision. I have never injured a player in my career, so I don't think it should be a problem with my reputation. I've never injured a player before, there's no reason why it should go, but hey, it's not my decision at the end of the day."
Carl Robinson passed when asked for his take on the challenge. Sporting Kansas City Coach, Peter Vermes offered up his take on the challenge.
"I only saw it from far away," said Vermes. "The only thing I’ll comment about that is, that never would have happened if the foul on Benny Feilhaber right before it got called. That actually never would have even happened, we would have been shooting on their goal. So I was too far away to see it, but I was close enough to see the other foul, which didn’t get called."
Not happy with what had just occurred. Vancouver capitalized on the free kick and quickly scored to make it 2-0 in the 67' minute. Bolanos delivered a perfect free kick that was headed home by Tim Parker for his first career MLS goal.
Vancouver was the better team on the day, and they deserved all three points on the day. Well travelled Sporting Kansas City ran out of gas, and Vancouver proved to be too strong.
Man of the Match
Christian Bolanos
Christian Bolanos had a brilliant match, and played setup man on both Vancouver goals. Bola was in perfect position to chest the ball to Cristian Techera, and his free kick sealed the deal for Kansas City. A healthy Bolanos showed exactly what qualities his brings when he is fully fit. He was the top player on the pitch, and instrumental in both Vancouver goals.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: David OustedL; Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Sheanon Williams; Matias Laba; Christian Bolanos, 78' (Nicolas Mezquida), Tony Tchani, 62' (Alphonso Davies), Andrew Jacobson, Cristian Techera; Fredy Montero, 85 (Brek Shea). 4-1-4-1
Sporting Kansas City Starting XI: Tim Melia; Seth Sinovic, Matt Besler(C), Kevin Ellis, Graham Zusi; Soni Mustivar, 56' (Benny Feilhaber), Illie Sanchez, Roger Espinoza; Tyler Pasher 46' (Jimmy Medranda), Latif Blessing, 69' (Cameron Porter), Gerso Fernandes. 4-3-3
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