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VANCOUVER, B.C. - Whitecaps FC extinguished the Chicago Fire with a decisive 3-2 victory at B.C. Place in front or 22,120 fans. Kei Kamara finished with a brace thanks to a goal in each half. Jordon Mutch gave Vancouver the lead with his first career MLS tally. Tony Tchani, and Nemanja Nikolic scored for Chicago, but it wasn't enough to earn a result.
Whitecaps FC improve to 7-7-5 on the season, while Veljko Paunovic's Fire squad fall to 6-8-5, and drop out of the 6th and final playoff spot in the eastern conference. In his 9th consecutive start this season, Brian Rowe made 2 saves to earn his third win.
"I’m very pleased." Whitecaps FC Coach Carl Robinson said post-match. "We did well in stretches during the game. We missed a lot of chances again. We made it difficult for ourselves. In the end, at 3-1, we should’ve put it to bed, we didn’t, and made it a bit interesting. I think we deserved the victory. They’re a very good team with key players in key areas. But we’ve done well to limit them."
"We’re delighted to have Mutchy here," said Robinson. "We’re very lucky. He’s a top, top player and a good person as well. He showed what he’s all about today playing in that position. He’s got quality on the ball. You don’t play in the Premier League and the Championship for a number of games like he’s done if you’re not a very good player. He enjoyed it today. I didn’t want to take a risk by playing him too long. He was in a good groove at that time, I decided to take him off as a precaution. He ran out of steam but if we get him fully fit, what a player we’ve got.”
In his 40th MLS start, Bastian Schweinsteiger made his first appearance at B.C. Place. The retired German international received a loud cheer during introductions. Schweinsteiger played 79' minutes against Vancouver, and had a lot praise for Alphonso Davies.
"How old is he? 17. Oh, 17? He doesn’t have his drivers’ license, right? Obviously, he has potential, if he keeps working. Of course, he probably he has a chance to play in Europe. With that speed, technique and skills, if he works hard for the defence, of course, he can play in Europe. It’s not easy for me to judge him because I didn’t see him, I don’t know him as a person, but I wish him good luck.”
Moments of the Match
A strong work ethic and determination helped Vancouver open the scoring in the 28' minute. Chicago Fire keeper, Richard Sanchez came well out of his net to stop a one on one opportunity from Kei Kamara. Not able to clear the ball, Alphonso Davies found Yordy Reyna on the wing. The Peruvian's shot was turned aside, but not for long. Kamara was in perfect position to convert to put Vancouver ahead 1-0.
Vancouver looked to double their lead as Davies was sent in one on one with Sanchez. The Fire shot-stopper got a piece of Davies attempt, which hit square off the post. Chicago caught a lucky break as Whitecaps FC were pressing, and looking for more offence.
The Fire weren't about to head into the interval trailing. Chicago didn't have many scoring opportunities in the first half, but they made it count in the 42' minute. Right-back, Kevin Ellis centered the ball in front of goal. Leading goal-scorer, Nemanja Nikolic was able to wriggle away from Jake Nerwinski to slot the ball past Brian Rowe.
The tie didn't last long. Whitecaps FC answered back off another one on one opportunity. Effy Juarez sent in a long ball over the top to Jordon Mutch. Sanchez was promptly rounded by Mutch. The midfielder waited for the ball to stop spinning, before scoring.
"The ball wasn’t sitting right," Mutch explained. "I had to wait. I think in the crowd people were getting nervous a little bit, but I had to wait to settle it and put it in."
Vancouver doubled their lead in the 72' minute. Davies did all the work as he raced down the flank, and cut in on goal. The teenage phenom found Kamara unmarked, and he blasted home his 106th MLS goal.
Tony Tchani who made 27 appearances for Vancouver last season scored in his return to B.C. Place. He came on as a second half substitute and delivered a seeing eye rocket, top corner for his first goal with Chicago.
Whitecaps FC turned up and put the brakes on a two-match losing streak. Chicago's defensive front was no match for the quality Vancouver showed in the final third.
Man of the Match
NKei Kamara stepped up and with a timely brace to give Vancouver 4th home win of the season. The Caps leading goal-scorer had been quiet of late, but he added to his MLS account by taking advantage of poor marking by the Fire. Quality team service from Alphonso Davies, and Yordy Reyna made sure Kamara was in great position to help Whitecaps FC earn all three points.
"Goals, that means getting points," Kamara explained. "That’s all that matters to me right now. Personally, I wish I could score more goals as I’ve been getting chances. Guys have been creating so much and I just want to put them in the back of the net. Today, I was in the right place at the right time. Alphonso did some good work, Jordon scoring his first goal for the club, it’s a big night for us. It’s a big win."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: Brian Rowe; Marcel de Jong, Jose Aja, Doneil Henry, Jake Nerwinski; Alphonso Davies, Effy Juarez(C), Felipe, Jordon Mutch, 73 (Russell Teibert); Yordy Reyna, 90 (Sean Franklin) Kei Kamara, 83 (Anthony Blondell). 4-4-2
Chicago Fire Starting XI: Richard Sanchez; Jorge Corrales, Brandon Vincent, Jonathan Campbell, Kevin Ellis; Bastian Schweinsteiger, 78 (Jon Bakero), Dax McCarty(C), 78 (Tony Tchani), Brandt Bronico; Diego Campos, Nemanja Nikolic, Aleksandar Katai, 70 (Elliot Collier). 4-3-3
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