VANCOUVER, B.C. - SThe MLS World Cup break came to an end as Vancouver Whitecaps FC returned to action as against he Philadelphia Union. The Caps looked like they were still on a break as the Philadelphia Union out-played Vancouver in a 4-0 win in front of 15,250 fans at Talen Energy Stadium.
Union Coach Jim Curtain, celebrated his 39th birthday with a victory. Czech international Borek Dockal scored a brace, and second half penalties, from Ilsinho, and Picault put the match to bed. Andre Blake made zero saves in earning his 5th clean sheet of the season.
"Overall, a very strong performance from the players." said Curtain. "Obviously to be without one of our best players in Haris Medunjanin, for guys to step up and put the maximum effort in, it was an important game. Obviously, you do not want to fall behind. Almost the end of the first half of the season now, it was a big swing game in terms of getting that result, and keeping a clean sheet. We talked a lot about knowing that Vancouver is one of the best teams at sitting deep with ten guys behind the ball and then countering and breaking. They are a very good road team. I thought we handled the first half extremely well and played some of our best soccer. We made them work, we talked a lot about playing quickly from side to side and eventually some holes and seams would open up. We would find Borek Dočkal in between the lines; I thought we executed that part of things very well. The players deserve all of the credit. Again keeping the clean sheet is something important. Andre (Blake) did not have to face a shot on goal today so that means guys are really doing their job. We created 25 shots so I am happy to break out a bit and get four goals."
Philadelphia improves to 6-7-3 and Vancouver drops to 6-6-5 on the campaign.
"I am disappointed in the result." Coach Carl Robinson told reporters post-match. "I thought we got what we deserved which was nothing. I thought we were way off from the first minute. We were leggy, looked tired and we were not sharp. We did not play our futbol in the right areas. The only time we tried to play was fifteen minutes after halftime and we let ourselves down with some unacceptable behavior. I will deal with that internally. Congratulations to Philadelphia, they were the better team from the first to the last minute."
Moments of the Match
The Union looked poised to score early as they generated numerous chances, including ten shot attempts and seven corners. Although the Caps were hemmed in their own half, they did well to keep Philadelphia from capitalizing.
Vancouver could only do so much, as Philadelphia was determined to get on the score-sheet, and they did in the 24' minute. Playing at left-back, Brek Shea failed to clear the ball. Alphonso Davies was late to pick up his man, and Borek Dockal curled home a low drive inside the far post to put the Union up 1-0.
It was 'The Philadelphia Story'. as they dominated possession 67% - 33%, shots taken 15 - 0, and corner kicks 8 -3. Vancouver never really got forward, and challenged Andre Blake. The visitors were lucky to only be trailing by a goal heading into the interval.
Whitecaps FC's Carl Robinson, elected to make a pair of substitutions before the second half began. Wingers, Alphonso Davies, and Cristian Techera made way for Nicolas Mezquida, and Jordon Mutch.
Mezquida was almost able to reward his manager with a goal after a great scoring opportunity. Reyna, and Mezquida played a beautiful give-and-go inside the Union box. The Uruguayan was in a prime shooting position in front of goal, only to have Raymon Gaddis block Vancouver's first attempt on target, in the 54' minute.
Dockal added his second tally of the match in the 71' minute as he cruised into the Whitecaps FC box past Shea, and Jose Aja. Dockal had all sorts of time and space as he made sure Philadelphia had that all important insurance goal.
It only got worse for Vancouver as Philadelphia was awarded a penalty in the 73' minute. Jose Aja had a tug to the back of Cory Burke. At first glance the foul didn't look all that suspect, but referee Allen Chapman quickly issued a red card and point to the spot.
Brazilian midfielder Ilsinho calmly rifled home the penalty to make it 3-0 Philadelphia.
"It was just disappointing and embarrassing." Goalkeeper Brian Rowe, said. "It is something that we drive all the way out here and we cannot put that on the field. It is just something that is embarrassing."
Deep into stoppage time Yordy Reyna lost the plot. He commited a rash challenge on Cory Burke inside the box. Already on a yellow card, Reyna was issued another yellow and sent packing. Picault stepped up to the awarded penalty and coverted to make it 4-0.
The Union were the better side from start to finish, and they were deserving of the win. Dockal showed his worth, and the Union never lost track. The Caps couldn't muster anything offensivily, and they looked tired and out of sorts in the second half.
Man of the Match
Borek Dockal made the difference for Philadelphia as the Union's designated player came to play. He tarrgetted Vancouver's Brek Shea on the left-side, and scored in each half to help his team to all three points. You always need your big name, big money players producing and Dockal made sure to bring his best performance.
"The first one I was lucky with the first touch," Dockal said. "I wanted to play back to Ilsinho. I hit my other leg so I got lucky. The space was open. I had good position to hit with my left. I hit it well. The other one, I received a great pass from Ale (Bedoya). I tried to turn into the box, the defender was afraid to make a penalty so I tried to curve the ball close to the post with my left again. I think the second one was important because we felt like we were a much better team this game. We needed a second goal to close the game."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC: Brian Rowe; Brek Shea, Doneil Henry, Jose AJa, Jake Nerwinski; Alphonso Davies, 45 (Jordon Mutch), Felipe, Aly Ghazal, 72 (Anthony Blondell), Cristian Techera, 45 (Nicolas Mezquida); Yordy Reyna, Kei Kamara. 4-4-2
Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake; Raymon Gaddis, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie, Keegan Rosenberry; Alejandro Bedoya(C), Dockal 86, (Derrick Jones), Warren Creavalle; Picault, C.J. Sapong, 66 (Cory Burke), Ilsinho, 76 (Marcus Epps); 4-3-3
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