After getting knocked out of the Canadian Championship in Montreal on Wednesday, the Vancouver Whitecaps had all their focus on MLS play.
It is a critical time of the season. Teams across MLS are fighting for their lives as the playoffs loom closer. For the Whitecaps, they needed to improve after losing to CF Montreal 2-0 on Wednesday and to Austin FC 2-1 at home on Sunday.
Real Salt Lake were also struggling as they have not won a game in MLS play since May 16. They also had a ton of injuries, and that included attacking midfielder/winger Diego Luna and defender Justen Glad, who are both key pieces for them. They also sold young American winger/forward Zavier Gozo to Crystal Palace. RSL also signed Canadian international Luc de Fougerolles on loan from Fulham, but he couldn’t play due to visa reasons.
There was an opportunity for the Whitecaps to get back in the win column. It is easy to say they took that opportunity and ran with it.
What happened
The ‘Caps started the game well. They did what they did best: Control. They made sure Salt Lake couldn’t get the ball and break out of their own half.
With Andres Cubas out with an apparent ankle injury, Oliver Larraz and Jeevan Badwal had a big job in the midfield. They both passed the test. It was Larraz who played the ball into the box, and Brian White deflected it in past RSL goalkeeper Rafael Cabral for his 16th of the season. That ties his career high from last season.
Vancouver’s press, possession, and quick passes continued to overwhelm Salt Lake. This was the Whitecaps that people are used to seeing. The second goal was a thing of beauty.
Ralph Priso made a great pass from his own half to Edier Ocampo. White deserves a lot of credit for letting the ball get passed to him to fool the RSL defenders. Yadaly Diaby was making his first MLS start, and he looked like he was going to charge into the box. But RSL defenders were fooled again as they were caught ball watching. Thomas Müller did what he does best: Find space. There is a reason why he is called the Raumdeuter. (space interpreter.) Müller was given a ton of space. He was given a huge sea of it, and he made RSL pay with a solid finish.
Defensively, Priso and Blackmon stood tall. It was nice to have Priso back, as he had terrible luck with injuries since March, and that resulted in him missing the chance to represent Canada at this summer’s FIFA World Cup. Unfortunately, Priso had to be taken off at halftime. Perhaps it was a precaution, or worst case, he aggravated his ankle injury. Regardless, he probably shouldn’t go with Canada for their friendlies against Chile, Peru and the US. As a result, Mathias Laborda slotted back in.
Yohei Takaoka was also solid in between the sticks. He made three saves for his 11th clean sheet of the season. Takaoka was especially needed when RSL had a spell of offence early in the second half. It also helped that they kept messing up their final pass or final touch.
Another player who was having a really good game was Diaby. The Guinean international was making his first MLS start, and he was excellent. Diaby showcased his speed, creativity and IQ as he helped orchestrate the Whitecaps attack.
After assisting Müller in the first half, it was fitting that Diaby got a goal of his own. RSL defender Sam Junqua made a dangerous and terrible pass to the middle of the pitch, and Diaby picked it up. He had a few options, but he decided to charge into the box and take a shot. It proved to be the right decision as he blasted the ball past Cabral.
It was a solid bounce-back win for the Whitecaps, and it was much-needed.
Stat of the match
With Diaby getting his first goal, the Whitecaps now have 17 different goal scorers this season. They also had 20 players who have recorded a goal or an assist.
Tweet of the match
Looks like Diaby got the soccer equivalent of a Gordie Howe hat trick!
Wrap-up
The Whitecaps remain on top of the Western Conference with 49 points. That is four ahead of the Houston Dynamo, who conceded a late equalizer and had to settle for a 2-2 draw with FC Cincinnati. The other teams with 44 points are St. Louis City SC and FC Dallas. St. Louis defeated Toronto FC 3-1 at home, and Dallas drew 0-0 to Austin at home.
Vancouver is also now eight points behind Nashville in the Supporters Shield race. Nashville beat the Chicago Fire 3-0 at home, but the Whitecaps have a game in hand. Once again, the Shield is Nashville’s to lose.
The Whitecaps now have a week off as they face DC United at BC Place on Saturday. Kickoff for that game is at 7:30 pm Pacific. Of course, MLS had to schedule games during the international break, so the ‘Caps will be without Badwal, Diaby, Ocampo, Rayan Elloumi and Mihail Gherasimencov for that game and the games in Chicago and LA against LAFC.
The final stretch of the MLS regular season will be tough, and let’s see if the Whitecaps can build on this win in Salt Lake.
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