Issue #5 - Vibes
The Whitecaps defy odds, with Brian White shining in a stunning 5-1 win despite ongoing challenges!
Each week I wonder when this ride might end. The rule of Vancouver sports mediocrity require that all good things come to an end, and often in middling fashion. Yet these Whitecaps seem to be keen to break that rule, and nearly every other rule placed in front of them.
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
The View
After giving up a late equalizer at home to Pumas, and continuing to deal with injuries and a compressed schedule, I felt the Whitecaps would be hard-pressed to get a positive result out of Mexico City.
So let me tell you how excited I was to see that absolutely beautiful goal from Sebastian Berhalter - which only happens because Pedro Vite put in serious effort carrying the ball up the pitch - at the 33’ minute mark.
Could this actually be happening?
Unfortunately the feeling of euphoria was tempered only four minutes later when Pumas equalized off some poor set piece defending from the Whitecaps.
And as the match progressed, it became more and more apparent that the claws of fatigue were grabbing hold of the plucky side from Vancouver. Their aggressive pursuit of the ball wasn’t nearly as energetic. They lacked their normal ability to dictate the pace of play.
And Pumas knew it.
When they notched the go-ahead goal with only two minutes left in regulation, I said to a friend, “Oh well, they had a good run.”
Boy was I mistaken.
I still can’t come to grips with the goal from Tristan Blackmon that tied the match, but more importantly put the ‘Caps up on away goal aggregate. Continuing his stellar work from the backline, Tristan found himself exactly where he needed to be and capitalized on a great cross from Édier Ocampo.
My goodness, the Whitecaps did it!
Having nothing more than the time it took to fly back home to Vancouver to celebrate, the Whitecaps then had to face a solid side from Austin this past Saturday.
Injuries? Still an issue. Compressed schedule? Still an issue. Mice on the pitch at BC Place stadium? Still an issue.
The opposition holding Brian White off the scoresheet? Still an issue!
Going into the Austin FC match, one could’ve easily forgiven the Whitecaps had they found themselves struggling in the face of adversity. Austin had only conceded three goals prior to Saturday, and were arguably one of the better MLS sides Vancouver has faced. And all the earlier issues were still issues.
The thing is, no one apparently told Brian White this. As Vancouver’s most prolific MLS goal scorer, Brian opened up his match account quickly notching his first goal at the 13’ mark. He followed it with a second just before halftime at 38’. After Emmanuel Sabbi added his own at 47’, White notched his third of the match at 59’. Should’ve had his fourth at the 72’ mark off a saved penalty kick taken by Daniel Rios (in fairness, Rios struck the ball well but put it straight down Main street). But finally got his fourth of the match - FOURTH - at the 82’ mark.
Brian White 4. Austin FC 0.
Austin did score late in the second to wreck the clean sheet off some lackadaisical defending from the Whitecaps, but the story was already written - ‘Caps got themselves a 5-1 result and remained top of the West and top of the MLS.
The Good
- Brian White. Do I need to say more?
The Not So Good
- The BC Place Roof. Open the hole, you cowards!
Around the Pitch
As someone who braved the elements at Empire to watch the Whitecaps ply their trade, it boggles my mind that the roof at BC Place has remained closed for every home match this season.
And while I understand we haven’t had the best of weather to start the season, it hasn’t been horrendous either.
So why haven’t they opened the hole? I decided to reach out to J.J. Adams to see if he had the answer.
Sure enough, he did.
I suppose I failed to appreciate the fact BC Place remains a multi-use stadium, and I completely understand that some uses do much better in the “indoor” environment.
Yet I also remember being present at the first two events in the newly renovated stadium, where the had much ceremony and fanfare while they “opened the hole” with the stadium full of fans (BC Lions got to do it first, Whitecaps second).
So why did it work then and not now? Are the safety rules different?
Har Johal also added that the BC Place roof remains winterized and believes it will be ready for opening come May.
Sigh.
What a ride these past few weeks have been?! We get a little bit of respite this week with only one MLS match to chat about as the 'Caps head down to St. Louis.
But next week, we see the arrival of Inter Miami. Do you think Messi makes the trip?
From my seat to your browser!
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-Chris (@lyteforce.ca)