The Whitecaps are now four for four on opening day MLS matches after beating New York Red Bulls by a score of 4-1 at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
They were led by a brace from Kenny Miller with both Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales scoring in their debuts. It took until added time in the second half for the Red Bulls to get one back when Bradley Wright-Phillips picked up the tally, but that was the only real blip in an otherwise excellent performance from Vancouver.
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It was almost a dream start for the Whitecaps after Jordan Harvey intercepted a ball in the midfield and then sent Miller in for run, but the striker was unable to get his shot from inside the box on target. Minutes later Luis Robles was forced into a diving stop as Russell Teibert unleashed a strike from 30 yards out, as the Caps turned up the pressure on the visitors.
David Ousted was forced into action just after the ten minute mark when he dove to get his fingertips to a Lloyd Sam shot.
The Caps came close again as Darren Mattocks was sent in twice in a matter minutes but could not beat the keeper. It was the second one, after a nice give and go between Mattocks and Fernandez, that was the better of the two opportunities but New York held firm.
The Whitecaps took the lead just after the half hour mark when Miller converted a penalty after a handball in the box was called by the linesman. It was all thanks to the TFC connection as Matias Laba struck the ball from outside the box into the hands of defender Richard Eckersley.
Once the goal was scored it seemed to spark the Red Bull attack and they pressed the ball forward with more purpose. Bobby Convey had a chance after beating Laba at the edge of the box but his effort was sent past the far post as the Caps lead into the half.
The Whitecaps started the second half looking to extend their lead and it only took them less than five minutes as Sebastian Fernandez scored his first as a Whitecap. After Mattocks squared the ball to the Uruguayan he took a touch past the defender and blasted his shot past the outstretched hands of Robales into the top corner.
For the next 25 minutes there was little the Red Bulls could muster as Vancouver’s midfield controlled the middle of the pitch and continually broke up any passes.
It was one of those interceptions that led to Vancouver’s third goal as Kenny Miller picked up his second of the contest. After the turnover Pedro Morales sent a looping ball over the backline which Miller was able to control and lob over the helpless keeper.
The scoring wasn't over for the home side however as their new DP scored in his debut, converting a pass from Reo-Coker. The midfielder picked up the ball at the top of the box and rounded defender before sending a pass into the middle where Morales scored his first of the season.
The Red Bulls would get one back in added time when Wright-Phillips would get in front of a charging Ousted to head it into the net. However it was a little too late for the visitors as the final whistle blew in a 4-1 defeat to the Caps.
It couldn’t have gone any better for Carl Robinson in his managerial debut for Vancouver, as he seemed to press the right buttons. The midfield outworked their opponents and allowed very little room for the Red Bulls to gain anything in the attack.
There were too many missed chances in the first half but they were able to take the lead thanks to the penalty call. However finishing was not a problem in the second as they capitalized three times to put the game away.
The Whitecaps will have to now hit the road as they hope to continue their strong momentum in Southern California against Chivas USA.
Final Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 4 - 1 New York Red Bulls
Att: 21,000 (sell out)
Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O’Brien, Jay DeMerit©, Jordan Harvey; Nigel Reo-Coker, Matias Laba; Russell Teibert, Kenny Miller (Kekuta Manneh 83rd min), Sebastian Fernandez (Nico Mezquida 73rd min); Darren Mattocks (Pablo Morales 65th min)
Subs Not Used: Paolo Tornaghi, Johnny Leveron, Erik Hurtado, Gershon Koffie
New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles, Richard Eckersley, Ibrahim Sekagya, Armando, Bobby Convey, Lloyd Sam, Dax McCarty, Eric Alexander (Ruben Bover 84th min), Jonny Steele (Roy Miller 64th min), Tim Cahill, Peguy Luyindula (Bradley Wright-Phillips 73rd min)
Subs Not Used: Ryan Meara, Matt Miazga, Kosuke Kimura, Andre Akpan
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