The fans packed into BC Place on Saturday afternoon to watch a home team that underwent major offseason changes. Coming into the season the main question circling the Whitecaps was will this team be able to score goals? If last night was any indication of what the future holds, goal scoring will not be an issue as the Whitecaps put 4 goals into New York’s net. The Caps peppered Red Bull goalkeeper Luis Robles with 10 shots on target. Vancouver’s new mid-field cut through New York’s defense repeatedly as Richard Eckersley had a tough night.
Carl Robinson went with his favourite 4-2-3-1 formation as I predicted in my season preview. Reo-Coker and Matias Laba played as defensive mids and they were nothing short of stellar as they broke up any attack New York tried to generate in the middle of the field. Laba was a stand out as he spread the game out with great connecting passes to the attacking mids. With a comfortable 2 goal lead Carl Robinson endeared himself to everyone in attendance by bringing on 3 new attacking threats. New DP Pedro Morales came on in the 65th minute and his presence was another boost for the Whitecaps. Morales set up Kenny Miller with a pinpoint pass for Miller’s second goal of the night before scoring his own on a great cut back pass from Reo-Coker.
Vancouver’s defense looked good as well. There were a few scary moments throughout the match but nothing overly concerning. David Ousted looked good in net for most of the game and nearly got a shutout. He has only himself to blame as he tried to catch a cross in the 91st min instead of punching it to safety. Bradley Wright-Phillips was able to get his head to the cross and nod it home.
Overall this was an excellent way to start the season. Carl Robinson and his staff now have a week to get this team to gel even more before they head to Los Angeles to face Chivas USA.
(image courtesy of USA Today Sports Images)
