Making their first Major League Soccer visit to America's capital, Vancouver Whitecaps FC(3W-12L-9D) suffered a 4-0 away defeat to Eastern Conference side D.C. United (7W-6L-9D) on Saturday evening.
Two goals by Chris Pontius led United to just their third home win of the season, with Andy Najar and substitute Stephen King also getting on the scoresheet for D.C. Facing Whitecaps FC for the third time with a third different club this season, Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario led byexample as United captain, as he recorded two assists in Saturday's match at RFK Stadiumin Washington, D.C.
It was a humbling setback for the Blue and White, who never recovered from United goals either side of halftime, as D.C. made the most of their potent counter-attack to seal all three points in the second half. Vancouver's quest for a first-ever away win in MLS continues, with the 'Caps now 0W-9L-4D away from Empire Field this season.
United, meanwhile, extend their unbeaten league run to three matches with Saturday's win. "I am very disappointed," Whitecaps FC head coach Tom Soehn said after facing his former club. "I think we spent alot of time this week talking about the job we did against Chicago at home and how we did the little things. Last weekend, we worked, we competed, and did all the things that are even required more on the road.
Tonight, I thought we let our selves down in that category. If we got to 0-0 at halftime, that's a good result on the road, but we let in a bad goal in a spot where De Rosario gets through two defenders, and we get beat on the weak side.
We talked about it and addressed it at half time and I think we cameout with some energy, but then we give a poor goal up to start the half, and the rest was history. "Soehn made one change to the side that started last weekend's home win over Chicago Fire, as captain Jay De Merit replaced injured Alain Rochat at centre back.
It was the United States international's first start for Vancouver in six weeks. 'Caps goalkeeper Jay Nolly got the start against his former club. United,mean while, opted for 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick Joe Willis in goal, with the youngster claiming a clean sheet on his MLS debut versus the 'Caps.
A typically hot and humid D.C.evening greeted both sets ofplayers on Saturday, and despitea competitive first half, United took their chances and secured a comfortable home win in theend. The first half saw both clubs have spells of play, with the home side taking the initiative in the early stages. United's Santino Quaranta rifled a shot just wide of the target on 14 minutes before Nolly made assured saves from De Rosario and Clyde Simms.
After a slow start, Whitecaps FC worked their way into the match and created half-chances through Camilo's runand cross on 17 minutes, while Eric Hassli was unlucky not to get on the end of Jordan Harvey's fine cross from the left twominutes later.
Vancouver's best opportunity before the break came from a Camilo free kick on 40 minutes. The 'Budweiser Man of the Match' has been in excellent form with his set-pieces, and this attempt at goal brought the bestout of United goalkeeper Willis. The D.C. keeper deflected Camilo's strike off his own crossbar before a melee ensued in front of the United goal. Harvey had a shot blocked in the six-yard box before Willis saved attempts from Jonathan Leathers and Gershon Koffie.
It proved to be a turning point in the match for Vancouver, as United scored their winner in the two minutes of time added on before the break. Some good work by De Rosario on the right-hand side of the Whitecaps FCbox allowed the D.C. captain to play over a fine cross to Pontiusat the far post. Though Nolly gota hand to De Rosario's cross, asliding Pontius converted into anempty net for a 1-0 D.C. lead at the break.
It was a disappointing end to afirst half that saw Whitecaps FCbattle well to make in roads in thematch. Looking to rebound from falling behind, United effectively sealed the win with a fortunate second goal from Najar on 48minutes. The Honduran youngster took Quaranta's cross-field ball before reaching the Vancouver by line. From what looked an impossible angle, the young Central American drilled ashot through the legs of Nollyand into the net to make it 2-0 toD.C. With the task of a turn around seemingly more daunting, Soehn brought on Davide Chiumiento and Mustapha Jarju to try and spark things in attack, though a change in formation made life difficult for the Whitecaps FC backline, as they faced adangerous and determined United counter-attack.
Vancouver's best chance of the second half came on 66 minutes,but Willis was on hand to stop Hassli with his legs at the far post after the big Frenchman connected with Leathers' cross from the left. As the 'Caps struggled togenerate chances, United madethe most of open space in Vancouver's third to score a thirdgoal on 70 minutes. From another break into the 'Caps box, King's initial shot deflected to Pontius, who put home his second goal of the match and seventh of the season for a 3-0 United lead.
With their tails up, D.C. were hungry for more goals, as the'Caps struggled to cope withUnited's counter-attack. After hitting the post and missing another chance himself, DeRosario capped another fine performance for his current club by setting up King's first goal of the season on 81 minutes.
The substitute's low shot beat an outstretched Nolly to cap aconvincing four-goal victory forthe home side.Whitecaps FC will now look to regroup from this latest setback,as they head to The City of Roses next Saturday for a Cascadia Cup derby clash with 2011 MLS expansion cousins Portland Timbers. United, meanwhile, will look to build on this weekend's win over Vancouver, as they visit Eastern Conference rivals Chicago on Thursday evening.
D.C. United
31. Joe Willis; 21. Daniel Woolard. 5. Dejan Jakovic, 2. Brandon McDonald, 23.Perry Kitchen; 13. Chris Pontius (4.Marc Burch77'), 25. Santino Quaranta (20. Stephen King 63'), 19. Clyde Simms, 14. Andy Najar (3. Austinda Luz 74'); 7.Dwayne DeRosario, 9.Charlie Davies
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18. Jay Nolly; 26. Jordan Harvey, 6. Jay DeMerit (20. Davide Chiumiento 62'), 2. Michael Boxall, 25. Jonathan Leathers; 22. Shea Salinas, 33.Peter Vagenas (7.Mustapha Jarju 71'), 28. Gershon Koffie, 11. JohnThorrington (12.Jeb Brovsky 70'); 37. Camilo, 29. Eric Hassli
www.whitecapsfc.com
Two goals by Chris Pontius led United to just their third home win of the season, with Andy Najar and substitute Stephen King also getting on the scoresheet for D.C. Facing Whitecaps FC for the third time with a third different club this season, Canadian international Dwayne De Rosario led byexample as United captain, as he recorded two assists in Saturday's match at RFK Stadiumin Washington, D.C.
It was a humbling setback for the Blue and White, who never recovered from United goals either side of halftime, as D.C. made the most of their potent counter-attack to seal all three points in the second half. Vancouver's quest for a first-ever away win in MLS continues, with the 'Caps now 0W-9L-4D away from Empire Field this season.
United, meanwhile, extend their unbeaten league run to three matches with Saturday's win. "I am very disappointed," Whitecaps FC head coach Tom Soehn said after facing his former club. "I think we spent alot of time this week talking about the job we did against Chicago at home and how we did the little things. Last weekend, we worked, we competed, and did all the things that are even required more on the road.
Tonight, I thought we let our selves down in that category. If we got to 0-0 at halftime, that's a good result on the road, but we let in a bad goal in a spot where De Rosario gets through two defenders, and we get beat on the weak side.
We talked about it and addressed it at half time and I think we cameout with some energy, but then we give a poor goal up to start the half, and the rest was history. "Soehn made one change to the side that started last weekend's home win over Chicago Fire, as captain Jay De Merit replaced injured Alain Rochat at centre back.
It was the United States international's first start for Vancouver in six weeks. 'Caps goalkeeper Jay Nolly got the start against his former club. United,mean while, opted for 2011 MLS SuperDraft pick Joe Willis in goal, with the youngster claiming a clean sheet on his MLS debut versus the 'Caps.
A typically hot and humid D.C.evening greeted both sets ofplayers on Saturday, and despitea competitive first half, United took their chances and secured a comfortable home win in theend. The first half saw both clubs have spells of play, with the home side taking the initiative in the early stages. United's Santino Quaranta rifled a shot just wide of the target on 14 minutes before Nolly made assured saves from De Rosario and Clyde Simms.
After a slow start, Whitecaps FC worked their way into the match and created half-chances through Camilo's runand cross on 17 minutes, while Eric Hassli was unlucky not to get on the end of Jordan Harvey's fine cross from the left twominutes later.
Vancouver's best opportunity before the break came from a Camilo free kick on 40 minutes. The 'Budweiser Man of the Match' has been in excellent form with his set-pieces, and this attempt at goal brought the bestout of United goalkeeper Willis. The D.C. keeper deflected Camilo's strike off his own crossbar before a melee ensued in front of the United goal. Harvey had a shot blocked in the six-yard box before Willis saved attempts from Jonathan Leathers and Gershon Koffie.
It proved to be a turning point in the match for Vancouver, as United scored their winner in the two minutes of time added on before the break. Some good work by De Rosario on the right-hand side of the Whitecaps FCbox allowed the D.C. captain to play over a fine cross to Pontiusat the far post. Though Nolly gota hand to De Rosario's cross, asliding Pontius converted into anempty net for a 1-0 D.C. lead at the break.
It was a disappointing end to afirst half that saw Whitecaps FCbattle well to make in roads in thematch. Looking to rebound from falling behind, United effectively sealed the win with a fortunate second goal from Najar on 48minutes. The Honduran youngster took Quaranta's cross-field ball before reaching the Vancouver by line. From what looked an impossible angle, the young Central American drilled ashot through the legs of Nollyand into the net to make it 2-0 toD.C. With the task of a turn around seemingly more daunting, Soehn brought on Davide Chiumiento and Mustapha Jarju to try and spark things in attack, though a change in formation made life difficult for the Whitecaps FC backline, as they faced adangerous and determined United counter-attack.
Vancouver's best chance of the second half came on 66 minutes,but Willis was on hand to stop Hassli with his legs at the far post after the big Frenchman connected with Leathers' cross from the left. As the 'Caps struggled togenerate chances, United madethe most of open space in Vancouver's third to score a thirdgoal on 70 minutes. From another break into the 'Caps box, King's initial shot deflected to Pontius, who put home his second goal of the match and seventh of the season for a 3-0 United lead.
With their tails up, D.C. were hungry for more goals, as the'Caps struggled to cope withUnited's counter-attack. After hitting the post and missing another chance himself, DeRosario capped another fine performance for his current club by setting up King's first goal of the season on 81 minutes.
The substitute's low shot beat an outstretched Nolly to cap aconvincing four-goal victory forthe home side.Whitecaps FC will now look to regroup from this latest setback,as they head to The City of Roses next Saturday for a Cascadia Cup derby clash with 2011 MLS expansion cousins Portland Timbers. United, meanwhile, will look to build on this weekend's win over Vancouver, as they visit Eastern Conference rivals Chicago on Thursday evening.
D.C. United
31. Joe Willis; 21. Daniel Woolard. 5. Dejan Jakovic, 2. Brandon McDonald, 23.Perry Kitchen; 13. Chris Pontius (4.Marc Burch77'), 25. Santino Quaranta (20. Stephen King 63'), 19. Clyde Simms, 14. Andy Najar (3. Austinda Luz 74'); 7.Dwayne DeRosario, 9.Charlie Davies
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18. Jay Nolly; 26. Jordan Harvey, 6. Jay DeMerit (20. Davide Chiumiento 62'), 2. Michael Boxall, 25. Jonathan Leathers; 22. Shea Salinas, 33.Peter Vagenas (7.Mustapha Jarju 71'), 28. Gershon Koffie, 11. JohnThorrington (12.Jeb Brovsky 70'); 37. Camilo, 29. Eric Hassli
www.whitecapsfc.com
0 comments