PORTLAND, OR - Vancouver Whitecaps FC defeated New England Revolution 2-0 in a preseason friendly at Providence Park on Wednesday evening behind goals from new marquee striker Lucas Cavallini and left back Ali Adnan.
Both goals came in the second half to break the match open, with Cavallini scoring for the third consecutive preseason match, and Adnan figuring in the scoresheet once again after tallying an assist last Sunday against Portland Timbers. Fredy Montero was involved in each of the 'Caps goals on the evening, setting up Cavallini and drawing the foul that led to Adnan's superb direct free kick.
Right from the start, Vancouver controlled the match, dominating possession and pressing well when they lost the ball.
After sustained pressure in the first half, the ‘Caps looked like they had made a breakthrough in the 34th minute when the referee called for a penalty after a tackle on Cristian Dajome. Dajome was put through with a backheel flick from Tosaint Ricketts after a quick give-and-go between the two forwards. Unfortunately for Vancouver, the Video Assistant Referee overturned the call.
After seven changes to begin the second half, the 'Caps continued to play on the front foot.
The breakthrough finally came in the 68th minute when Montero’s tricky footwork and lovely weighted cross was controlled on the chest perfectly by Cavallini and then expertly finished.
Minutes after, New England got forward with purpose for the first time in the match but in his first preseason start, new ‘Caps goalkeeper Bryan Meredith stood firm to deny New England’s Canadian youngster Tajon Buchanan.
In the 72nd minute, Montero won a free kick in the perfect spot for an attempt on goal.
And what an attempt it was. Another second-half sub, Adnan hit a beautiful, curling free kick right into the bottom corner.
After Vancouver’s two goals in quick succession all but finished the match, the ‘Caps defended well and held the Revolution at arm’s length for the final 15 minutes.
Whitecaps FC round out their preseason slate against Minnesota United FC at Providence Park on Saturday, February 22. A live stream will again be available to most of British Columbia and Portland’s regional broadcast territory, as per MLS guidelines, at whitecapsfc.com.
For ticket information to the February 29 season opener at BC Place, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Scoring Summary
68’ - Lucas Cavallini (Fredy Montero, David Milinković)
71’ - Ali Adnan
Statistics
Shots: NE 9 - VAN 7
Shots on Goal: NE 2 - VAN 3
Saves: NE 1 - VAN 2
Offsides: NE 1 - VAN 2
Corners: NE 2 - VAN 4
Cautions
36’ - VAN - Cristian Dájome
39’ - NE - Tajon Buchanan
64’ - VAN - Ali Adnan
69’ - VAN - David Milinković
Whitecaps FC
1.Bryan Meredith; 28.Jake Nerwinski (56.Georges Mukumbilwa HT), 15.Andy Rose (13.Derek Cornelius 63’), 20.Jasser Khmiri (25.Amer Đidić 39’), 3.Cristián Gutiérrez (53.Ali Adnan 63’); 6.Inbeom Hwang (35.Aboubacar Sissoko HT), 32.Patrick Metcalfe (31.Russell Teibert HT); 11.Cristian Dájome (14.Theo Bair HT), 29.Yordy Reyna (12.Fredy Montero HT), 27.Ryan Raposo (7.David Milinković HT); 87.Tosaint Ricketts (9.Lucas Cavallini HT)
New England Revolution
18.Brad Knighton (25.Jeff Caldwell HT); 40.Simon Lekressner, 13.Michael Mancienne, 4.Henry Kessler (2.Andrew Farrell 60’), 16.Seth Sinovic; 17.Tajon Buchanan, 11.Kelyn Rowe (10.Teal Bunbury 60’), 6.Scott Caldwell (29.Nicolas Firmino 78’), 14.Diego Fagundez (27.Luis Caicedo 60’); 72.Damian Rivera (5.Isaac Angking 60’), 12.Justin Rennicks
