SANDY, UT – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-1L-1D) claimed their second win of the season with a 2-0 victory over Canadian rivals CF Montréal (1W-1L-2D) thanks to a Cristian Dájome brace at Rio Tinto Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The first major chance of the game fell to Montreal, as striker Bjorn Johnsen had an open net to aim at in the 29th minute, but ‘Caps goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau came up big to deny the Norwegian from point blank range.
After a couple of set piece opportunities for the ‘Caps through Ranko Veselinovic, both sides would head into the half deadlocked at 0-0.
Right after the break, Montréal threatened the ‘Caps with a couple of low crosses into the box.
But in the 55th minute, Dájome and Lucas Cavallini played a nice one-two on the break, resulting in Dájome being brought down in the box by Canadian international Kamal Miller, giving the ‘Caps the chance to take the lead from the spot.
Dájome stepped up and converted his second spot kick of the season to give the ‘Caps the 1-0 lead.
Fast forward to the 71st minute, the ‘Caps would double their lead through yet another set piece as Dájome fired home a thumping header to score his second of the game and his team-leading third goal of the season.
The goal had plenty of Colombian flavour to it, as Deiber Caicedo notched his first MLS assist after a brilliant ball into the area to set up Dájome.
Montreal kept pushing late in the match and found a goal through Finnish international Lassi Lappalainen in the 89th minute, but referee Rosendo Mendoza called the goal back for a hand ball on Montreal and former ‘Caps striker Erik Hurtado in the lead-up to the ball being put into the back of the net.
Up next for the ‘Caps is a midweek trip to the Midwest for a matchup with Minnesota United FC at Allianz Field. Catch the game on Wednesday, May 12 live on TSN1/4, and AM730. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PT.
MATCH DETAILS
GE Appliances VWFC Player of Quality: Cristian Dájome
Referee: Rosendo Mendoza
Scoring Summary
57’ – VAN – Cristian Dájome (penalty kick)
71 – VAN – Cristian Dájome (Déiber Caicedo)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 39.9% – MTL 60.1%
Shots: VAN 10 – MTL 16
Shots on Goal: VAN 4 – MTL 4
Saves: VAN 4 – MTL 2
Fouls: VAN 13 – MTL 14
Offsides: VAN 3 – MTL 0
Corners: VAN 6 – MTL 3
Cautions
24’ – MTL – Djordje Mihailovic
32’ – VAN – Déiber Caicedo
38’ – VAN – Ranko Veselinović
45’ – VAN – Lucas Cavallini
82’ – VAN – Leonard Owusu
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 15.Andy Rose, 3.Cristián Gutiérrez; 7.Déiber Caicedo (27.Ryan Raposo 74’), 19.Janio Bikel, 8.Caio Alexandre (17.Leonard Owusu 80’), 31.Russell Teibert ©; 11.Cristian Dájome (13.Derek Cornelius 90’+1’), 9.Lucas Cavallini
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 6.Bruno Gaspar, 14.Theo Bair, 30.Kamron Habibullah, 32.Patrick Metcalfe, 87.Tosaint Ricketts
CF Montréal
23.Clément Diop; 24.Aljaz Struna (7.Ahmed Hamdy 67’), 4.Rudy Camacho, 3.Kamal Miller; 27.Clément Bayiha (29.Mathieu Choiniere 58’), 14.Amar Sejdic, 2.Victor Wanyama ©, 12.Mustafa Kizza; 8.Djordje Mihailovic (18.Joaquin Torres 73’); 30.Romell Quioto (11.Erik Hurtado 58’), 9.Bjørn Johnsen (21.Lassi Lappalainen 58’)
Substitutes not used
41.James Pantemis, 6.Samuel Piette, 16.Joel Waterman, 25.Emanuel Maciel
