It was a must-win for the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Wednesday night, as they sat just two points ahead of FC Dallas for the fifth and final playoff spot in the MLS Western Conference. Luckily, they were hosting a woeful Chivas USA squad that was burdened with a franchise-worst losing skid into BC Place. The Caps didn’t disappoint, dominating play from kick-off to the final whistle, and putting four goals — FOUR!! —into the back of the net.
Video embed courtesy of www.whitecapsfc.com — if it ain’t workin’ don’t blame lil’ ol’ us!
Okay, let’s not get too excited about the win. Sure, those three points are awesome. But take into account the opponent. Chivas USA is one of only four MLS teams with fewer points than games played. In fact, the only team worse than Chivas USA this season is Toronto FC. And we all know Toronto teams have tanked every sporting endeavour since the Blue Jays won their second World Series in 1993. (Don’t believe me? Look it up: the Raptors are atrocious year in and year out. The Argos have been the laughing stock of the CFL for six or seven years now. And the Leafs are the only NHL team that hasn’t made the post-season since the 2004-05 lockout.) But yeah, Chivas USA stink.
The point that deserves attention here is the Whitecaps took control of their own destiny on this night. After a dismal stretch of games that saw them slip from 10 points clear of the post-season dance to nailbiting time, they righted the ship enough to earn a win they should have gotten against a poor side. Chivas has given up more goals than any other team in the West this season, and they’ve got the worst goal differential of any team in the MLS (yes, even TFC).
The oft-criticized Camilo had a strong game, scoring a hard-fought goal and setting up two more. The whole team passed as well as I’ve seen, and balls from the midfield up through the forward ranks were for the most part well chosen and well distributed. Gershon Koffie showed excellent finish on the opening goal on a superb pass from Kenny Miller. While he didn’t get an assist on this goal, it was Camilo’s cagey ball to the outside of the box that allowed Miller the time he needed to find Koffie streaking to the 18-yard line.
Dane Richards capitalized on a remarkable run to make it 2-0, accepting the business end of a give-and-go with Camilo in the 35th minute. The diminutive Richards was buzzing all night, his speed made even more evident by the absence of injured teammate Darren Mattocks.
The second half was more of the same. Chivas manufactured one or two chances, but it was all Caps on the scoresheet — in fact, despite eight attempts, the visitors were not even credited for a shot on goal. Vancouver, on the other hand, hammered at Chivas keeper Dan Kennedy like — well, like a goat. They blasted ten shots toward the net, and hit the net seven of those times. By the time Camilo scooted down the right side and found Barry Robson ten yards out for the 4-0 goal, his Man of the Match award was waiting for him at the side of the pitch.
This kind of offensive production doesn’t come often from Whitecaps FC; it was a unique combination of a determined home side pounding at an awful backside.
And yes, I meant it to sound like that.
With the win, the Caps now sit five points clear of FC Dallas for the final playoff spot, but they can’t be content just yet, as the boys from Texas have a game in hand — and two of Dallas FC’s final three matches are a home and away against this very same Chivas USA squad. Vancouver fans have to hope Chivas gets pissed off by their franchise-record losing streak just enough to take a few points from Dallas in those two games.
The Caps? They play twice more, hosting Portland on October 21 and visiting Real Salt Lake on October 27.
