VANCOUVER, B.C - Whitecaps FC kicked off a four-match home-stand with a victory over Real Salt Lake. The Caps dominated the second half, and prevailed 3-2 thanks to a goals from Cristian Techera, Kendall Waston, and Yordy Reyna. Real Salt Lake's full-backs, Chris Wingert, and Tony Beltran both scored, Wingert's first goal since May 22, 2010.
A crowd of 20,783 watched Carl Robinson's side improve to 12-9-5 on the season. Real Salt Lake drop to 10-14-5, and fall six points behind Vancouver, and remain outside of the playoff picture. David Ousted was shaky, but he made six saves to earn a win.
"I think you saw a committed group today," said a pleased Carl Robinson. "I think we were naïve at certain times today, we gave up a bad goal when they game was comfortable for us. Then we responded after halftime, credit to the guys, and we go 3-1 up, then we give another bad goal away. But we don’t go under, and I said I’m proud of them because you don’t go under against a good team, by the way. Mike (Petke)’s done a great job since he’s gone in there. They’re fighting for their lives and they’ve got nothing to lose, and it’s hard to play against a dangerous team like that with so many attacking options.”
Known for scoring with his head, Kendall Waston spoke about his finish, on his third goal of the season.
"I surprised you, I even surprised myself," Waston said to the media. "I see a little spot right there. I'm kind of lucky it go through there. I was afraid it was going on top of the goal."
Despite a late goal from Beltran, Waston wasn't worried the lead would completely evaporate.
"No, I was really calm," Waston said. "I see all my teammates faces, and you can sense everybody was connected, obviously nobody wants to let them score. I know we role our sleeves up. I know with the time, and the way we was defending, they wouldn't tie us."
"I thought it was just play," said Real Salt Lake midfielder, Kyle Beckerman. "They made a couple more plays than we did in front of goal and that was the story of it.”
The Opening 45
It was a tentative first half as both teams played cautious, giving up next to nothing on the defensive end. Vancouver looked to counter punch with Cristian Techera, and Berni Ibini on the flanks. Real Salt Lake played a composed 4-2-3-1 in front of veteran keeper, Nick Rimando.
Vancouver had the early pace and it showed as they sent long balls over the top for Montero, Ibini, and Techera to chase down. Working the flanks proved to be effective as Whitecaps FC opened the scoring in the 30' minute.
Jake Nerwinski delivered a cross into the Real Salt Lake box. Techera connected and fired on goal. Rimando was able to get a piece of 'The Bug's' attempt, but it wasn't enough. Techera's 6th tally of the season, and his first since June, 24 had Vancouver out in front.
The Vancouver advantage did not last long. A howler from David Ousted ensured that the match was quickly tied 1-1, in the 37' minute. Full-back, Chris Wingert delivered a cross in front of goal. Ousted reacted as if striker, Yura Movsisyan was going to deflect the ball on net, he did not. The Caps keeper was slow to react and Real Salt Lake scored.
Heading into the interval, the match awaited someone to take full control. The visitors held a 53% - 47% possession advantage, and with a rare Wingert goal.
The Second Half
Questionable goalkeeping was at the forefront early in the second half, but this time Real Salt Lake was on the receiving end. Tim Parker's header on target hit off the far post. Rimando dove for the ball, and was subsequently out of position.
Kendall Waston was clear as day unmarked inside the box, and he smashed home the rebound to restore the Vancouver lead, 2-1 in the 53' minute.
The wheels quickly fell off Real Salt Lake, as Vancouver double their lead in the 64' minute thanks to a fantastic build for Peruvian, Yordy Reyna. Jake Nerwinski nicked the ball off his opponent fed Ibini in front who delivered cross goal. Reyna was unmarked and timed his diving header perfectly to convert past a helpless Rimando.
The Australian international spoke about how his brilliant pass came about.
"I just put it across," admitted Ibini. "I knew he was in a good area to get the ball across. I'm happy he made the run there. I was just putting the ball across the area."
Real Salt Lake was able to cut the deficit to one, thanks to another goal from a full-back. Tony Beltran was able to sneak a low shot behind Ousted for his first career MLS goal.
It was a slow start for both teams, but once Techera scored, the match opened up for both teams. Vancouver rebounded in the second half, and picked up all three points. Real Salt Lake received goals from two unlikely players, it wasn't nearly enough to win.
Man of the Match
Jake Nerwinski
Up and down the pitch, Jake Nerwinski was tremendous. He was lively, and involved offensively from the opening whistle. In his first MLS campaign, Nerwinski has shown he can contribute and still play sound defensively. The New Jersey native setup Techera for the opening goal of the match, and he was instrumental in keeping the play alive in the build up to Kendall Waston's goal. The 22 year-old is quickly showing why his name should be penciled in at right-back each and every match.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Kendall Waston(C), Tim Parker, Jake Nerwinski; Tony Tchani, Aly Ghazal; Cristian Techera, 69 (Brek Shea), Yordy Reyna, 83 (Nicolas Mezquida), Berni Ibini, 75 (Alphonso Davies); Fredy Montero. 4-2-3-1.
Real Salt Lake Starting XI: Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Chris Wingert, 75 (Brooks Lennon), David Horst, Justen Glad; Sunny, 56 (Luke Mullholland), Kyle Beckerman(C); Joao Plata, Albert Rusnak, Jefferson Savarino; Yura Movsisyan, 67 (Luis Silva). 4-2-3-1.
Notes: Egyptian international, Aly Ghazal made his Vancouver Whitecaps FC and MLS debut. Costa Rican international, Christian Bolanos missed the match with a knee injury.
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