Cap’s Extended Road Trip

For various reasons mostly positive the Vancouver Whitecaps have had a solid productive season that has seen them play fun, exciting soccer which continues to grow the sport in the lower mainland.

The recent road trip has been long and tedious that has seen the squad change their level of play working under Head Coach Vanni Sartini.

Having a strong start to any game can and does lead to being a confidence builder for any team withstanding the early pressure from the RSL and regardless of the early pressure it was the ‘Caps who jumped out to the early lead.. 

Ryan Gauld sent a corner kick to find Brian White who was waiting in the box sending his header behind Salt Lake “Keeper” Zac MacMath giving the ‘Caps the lead.

Yohei Takaoka continues to play strong despite a few games he never seemed to be himself but in th this contest he managed to keep the ‘Caps ahead turning some solid chances from Chicho Arango and Carlos Gomez with five minutes left heading to the break.

Real Salt Lake managed some chances in the second half from the start that saw a long distance free-kick by Brayan Vera find it’s way past Takaoka. 

Whitecaps FC came close to retaking the lead after a pass on the left from Gauld to Ryan Raposo would try to add another marker on the board. 

Real Salt Lake managed a cross by Andrés Gómez was met by Justen Glad getting a header past Takaoka giving Salt Lake the lead.

RSL came close to  doubling their lead 10 minutes later only to have through Chicho Arango.send a bullet to Takaoka’s near side post, forcing Takaoka to make the lead.

Gauld sent a volley off an impressive cross inside the box climbing high and wide of the goal but two minutes later, the ‘Caps came close (again)to equalize with another header from White only to be turned aside and on the goal line on a save from MacMath.

Takaoka was forced to play strong and keep the Caps in the contest with yet another stop sending Anderson Julio’s shot aside which would have put RSL to double their lead with under five minutes of regulation time remaining.

Whitecaps FC conclude their club-record seven-match road trip in a mid-week match against Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. 

The Whitecaps return home September 30th taking on D.C United in a contest that should be fast paced with both clubs looking for the win.

Say what you will the Whitecaps are playing exciting Soccer and in conversation with various fans they mention that the back-bone of the club has to be their fun living Head Coach Vanni Sartini

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC GE Appliances Player of Quality: Ryan Gauld

Scoring Summary

17’ – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Gauld)

47’ – RSL – Brayan Vera

65’ – RSL – Justen Glad (Andrés Gómez)

Statistics

Possession: RSL 46% – VAN 54%,   Shots: RSL 15 – VAN 9

Shots on Goal: RSL 9 – VAN 2,        Saves: RSL 1 – VAN 7

Fouls: RSL 14 – VAN 9,                    Offsides: RSL 2 – VAN 0

Corners: RSL 9 – VAN 3

Caution

74’ – RSL – Andrew Brody

82’ – RSL – Nelson Palacio

90’+4 – RSL – Brayan Vera

90’+12 – VAN – Sam Adekugbe

HEAD COACH VANNI SARTINI     On the match:

“We’ve been soft in a couple of episodes. I don’t think it went wrong with the tactics, or that we went wrong in the fact that they played better than us, because I think it was a pretty even game and the best moments of play was us instead of them. 

Unfortunately, two very evitable goals to be honest, and it is what it is. Sometimes it happens, and then it is hard. Even though it was hard, we had three chances in front of the goal, like five metres from the goal, and we push, push, push, we had two chances to go out, I don’t know how, to be honest, with Simon and Gauldy. 

One the goalkeeper made a great save, and then at the end, I am anticipating maybe the question, but I have no idea about the penalty. 

I have an idea for me that it was a penalty on Tristan, when MacMath made a great save, that I believe. But in the end, I don’t know, to be honest.”