The question heading into this match was whether the Vancouver Whitecaps could dictate play the same way on the road as they have at BC Place. In a 4-1 showing at Providence Park over the Portland Timbers, that question was answered.
A brace from Brian White and a player-of-the-match performance from Sebastain Berhalter with a goal and two assists sealed the deal for the visitors over their Cascadia rivals. Tristan Blackmon had the other goal.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen said, “It was our strongest performance yet.”
“I think it came together a little bit better than some of the first games,” Sørensen said. “Overall, I think we looked strong. It’s always the case when you play away, and the opponents, they also come out animated by their fans and ready to go and want to be aggressive. But I think we had a good flow in our possession, and when we started breaking their pressure, I think we took over the game.
Both sides showed positivity in the opening 15 minutes of the first half. Phil Neville’s boys were pushing toe-to-toe with the Whitecaps on the press, trying to force the visitors into defensive errors.
It almost came off early. Ralph Priso’s lapse in concentration allowed Portland to get in behind the Whitecaps’ back line. However, the Canadian defender recovered well, enabling his team to get back and help.
It was the Whitecaps who had first success. Brian White got his second of the MLS season with a well-timed slide to get on the end of Sebastian Berhalter’s ball into the 6-yard box.
The visitors overloaded the right side of the pitch, using Édier Ocampo, Jeevan Badwal and Thomas Müller to gain possession and attack into the middle. Berhalter was well-positioned as the ball played out to him in a more central position for him to make the assist.
The Whitecaps did not let up in the second half and had their second goal five minutes in. Berhalter’s free kick crossed over everyone and found Tristan Blackmon unmarked and streaking in from the left.
The centre-back jumped on the rebound and ended up getting his first of the season as the ball bounced off his face.
Berhalter went from provider to goalscorer, giving the Whitecaps a third goal in the 63rd minute. AZ’s brilliant solo run down the left got behind Portland’s back line. And extra skip over the last defender let him play in Berhalter on the edge of the 18-yard box.
The American midfield hit hard and low, leaving nothing for James Pantemis to save.
But Portland was not done and dusted yet. Eric Izoita, on his debut appearance, hit an absolute belter past Yohei Takaoka from 25 yards out. Coming in the 74th minute, it gave life to the home side.
The newfound spark was short-lived, however, as White got his second goal in the 87th minute.
Substitute Kenji Cabrera hit White with a pass as he entered the 18-yard box, and the strike hit it one time underneath Pantemis.
The four goals from the visitors were too much for Portland to handle, and the Whitecaps continued their winning streak to start the MLS season.
The dominance of Berhalter
Berhalter had a goal and two assists in the match. He has won accolades throughout MLS for his tenacity and midfield control. His continued presence has seemed to make him a lock for the American national team for the World Cup.
He is a midfielder who excels in entering the 18-yard box late, as evidenced by his goal and the pass from AZ. And everyone talks about his set-piece prowess.
“The connection has been very good. The deliveries has been consistent. So, it’s positive. It’s an important thing in football,” Sørensen said.
However, it is his defensive capability that makes him one of the more dangerous no. 6’s in MLS.
Against Portland, Berhalter had eight defensive contributions, five tackles and six recoveries. It’s a part of the game that often gets overlooked but is every bit as important as attacking play.
Up next
The Whitecaps switch back to Concacaf Champions Cup action in the midweek when they welcome the Seattle Sounders to BC Place on Thursday, March 12.
Kick off is at 7 p.m.
