Every once in a while, every touch just…goes…right.
That was the case today for Brian White as his four goals helped Vancouver Whitecaps demolish one of the best defences in MLS in Austin FC.
The match finished 5-1 with the other Whitecaps’ goal coming from Emmanuel Sabbi. Daniel Pereira had the lone Austin goal in the 90th minute to deny Yohei Takaoka the clean sheet.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen said a match like this “is not something you can plan.”
With five matches in 15 days, changes to the starting XI were inevitable. Ralph Priso came in to give Sebastian Berhalter a rest.
But the more interesting change was Daniel Ríos on the right wing. Rios has shown he can play on the right, but this skillset is more suited to a no. 9 role.
It took a few minutes for the Whitecaps to settle into the match, something that has become emblematic of their style of play. Whether it’s Sørensen still getting a feel for MLS or just a need to play themselves into the match, this is something that has been an issue for the Whitecaps throughout the early stages of this season.
But once they settled in, the home side got to work. Édier Ocampo’s cross in the 13th minute was backheeled by Ríos inside the 18-yard box towards his attacking partner, Brian White. The striker slotted a low shot underneath Brad Stuver, giving the Whitecaps the early lead.
White added another for the brace in the 38th minute. Stuver’s poor clearance could not get by Priso. The midfielder immediately changed direction, passing to Emmanuel Sabbi.
Sabbi found White cutting through the 18-yard box and played the forward pass for the American striker to put beyond Austin’s goalkeeper.
While the score line had the Whitecaps up at the half, Sorensen admitted it flattered them at that point in the match.
“Some of the players looked a little bit a step or two behind, but in the second half…it was like we got that second wind, had very good players coming off the bench and performing strongly,” Sørensen said.
The Whitecaps continued from where they left off as the second half began. Sabbi’s attempt from outside the 18-yard box in the 46th minute was palmed away by Stuver for the corner.
And while he did not score on the first attempt, he was Johnny-on-the-spot for the corner as Vite’s set-piece came off an Austin player and landed on the feet of the winger.
No one was watching Sabbi as he easily put the ball past Stuver.
White completed the hat trick in the 59th minute. Sabbi’s cross was chested down by White for Rios, but the Mexican striker was unable to get a clean touch on the ball. However, it was enough time for White to recover and get his fourth of the season and third hat-trick in his MLS career.
The Whitecaps were awarded a penalty in the 72nd minute. White already had the hat trick, so with Ryan Gauld out, Ríos stepped up.
But the striker could not beat Stuver. A second attempt was also blocked by the Austin goalkeeper to give the visitors something to cheer for on an otherwise dreadful afternoon.
White had another goal chalked off due to offside, but he could not be held down. He got his fourth in the 83rd minute, a nice short pass from Ali Ahmed to slot it in.
That goal put White tied for first in MLS at six, tied with Philadelphia Union’s Tai Baribo.
A performance to remember
White’s four goals were only the second time that feat had been done by a player in a Whitecaps jersey. It has previously been done by Jason Jordan due to the club’s USL days.
“You see players have breakout games and extraordinary games, and Brian had such a one today,” Sørensen said. “Of course, you see that occasionally but not very often, to be honest.”
Part of the plan today was having Ríos play on the right wing, knowing he could cut inside almost as a second no. 9 as Ocampo’s role in playing high in attack covered for the space the Mexican striker vacated.
“We talked a little bit about how we could also get some more support to Brian, having Daniel play a little bit closer alongside him,” the head coach said. “And maybe that could open up something [and] also make us stronger. And I think we profited from that.”
Up next
It’s a rare week when the Whitecaps do not have a midweek match. They play St. Louis CITY on the road on Saturday, April 19 at 5:30 p.m.
