While Toronto FC fell to yet another defeat, this time at the hands of FC Dallas, the Whitecaps’ impressive start to the new campaign showed no sign of slowing down as they ground out a solid 1-0 away victory over Real Salt Lake.
This shows just why some bet365 gamblers are backing the franchise to go all the way this year.
Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson was forced to reshuffle his pack after three straight victories due to Pedro Morales’ suspension, with the Welshman opting for a 4-3-1-2 line-up rather than the 4-2-3-1 which the Whitecaps have enjoyed so much success with this season.
Despite the likes of Darren Mattocks and Russell Teibert being forced to play out of position, Robinson’s men controlled the majority of the game.
They were helped by the fact Real Salt Lake finished the game with nine players after substitute Sebastian Saucedo and Jamison Olave were both sent off for the hosts.
Not for the first time this season, Vancouver were thankful to a late goal for handing them the three points.
For the fourth time this season, Vancouver scored near the end of the game to claim the win, this time through Darren Mattocks after the Jamaican striker popped up in the 80th minute to head home a deflected Teibert cross to make the long trip back to Canada a much more enjoyable affair than it could have been.
Not only did the win see Robinson’s men maintain their place at the top of the Western Conference, it also sent out a message to the rest of the MLS that this Whitecaps side is made of sterner stuff than previous Vancouver teams.
Things are very different over in Toronto, however, and the struggling franchise slipped to their fourth straight defeat of the season on a stormy night in Texas against FC Dallas.
In what was a rare sight in the MLS, the game was halted for a remarkable three hours due to the apocalyptic conditions, but by the time the players left the field just before the end of the first half it was clear which way this game was going.
The Canadians were blown away during the opening stages of the game, with Dallas racing to a 3-0 lead before the extended break in play, with Fabian Castillo scoring twice in the first 10 minutes before Blas Perez made it 3-0 just after the half-hour mark.
Despite scoring two late goals through the impressive Sebastian Giovinco, who continued his promising run of form since his arrival from Juventus, Toronto fell short of grabbing an equaliser and were forced to make the long trip home with nothing to their name.
The Italian was the only real shining light for Toronto, scoring two goals, including a delightful, chipped free-kick, and head coach Greg Vanney will be hoping the rest of his squad can follow Giovinco’s lead and put an end to this losing streak.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=I8kkOlU8NNM
