Vancouver Whitecaps FC suffered their first road defeat of the season Wednesday night, falling 1-0 to fellow Western Conference side Minnesota United FC.
Despite the result, Marc Dos Santos and his group can take many positives away from the match.
Throughout the match, the ‘Caps created multiple chances in multiple different ways and were very unlucky to come out of Allianz Field without any points.
In fact, MDS mentioned post-match it was one of the best performances from the ‘Caps this season.
“We lose the game that probably is the game that we have our best moments this season,” said Dos Santos. “I told the guys they have to have their head up because there was so many good things. We played a good away game.”
Those good things came in many different forms offensively for the ‘Caps. Whether it was through forcing MNUFC turnovers, crosses into the box, neat combination play, or dangerous set piece chances, the ‘Caps were a force all night long.
While the ‘Caps were denied by MNUFC, the Blue and White actually were unfortunate not to have found the net, as evidenced by their total team expected goals (xG) of 1.1 on the evening. Once you go back to look at the chances, they’re quality goalscoring chances with some great build-up play.
Take this chance from Cristian Dájome in the 64th minute, where Caio Alexandre picks up the ball in the middle of the park and makes a progressive pass into the feet of Deiber Caicedo, who then plays a smart flick into Dájome’s path to get a shot off.
It all happens in less than two seconds, much in part to the ‘Caps movement in Minnesota’s final third as well as the creativity shown from Alexandre and Caicedo.
Another great chance for the ‘Caps came earlier in the match in the 24th minute, as Dájome this time played the role of creator by finding Russell Teibert in loads of space out on the wing.
Teibert then whips in a great ball into the middle for Lucas Cavallini, forcing a good save out of the Loons goalkeeper.
Once again, it’s a short sequence from a couple of passes that leads to a ‘Caps striker getting a really good look at goal, but unfortunately the ‘Caps couldn’t find a way past MNUFC goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
“I think sometimes, that's just the way it goes. We're disappointed to leave [Minnesota] without at least the point,” said Teibert post-match. “We create chances and you put guys in positions where we have quality players that can take those chances. If we keep playing this way, we're going to put ourselves in a good position to go out and win games this season.”
Both chances above show how good the ‘Caps looked in possession on the night, with lots of neat combination play in Minnesota’s half in the midfield and out wide.
Credit has to go to Janio Bikel and Alexandre for dictating possession for the ‘Caps too, as they switched play from side to side and got teammates involved on the attack throughout the match. The pair finished with the highest pass success percentages from ‘Caps starters, with 91% and 86% respectively.
Bruno Gaspar, who was making his first MLS start, and Cristián Gutiérrez were also heavily involved on the attack from their full back positions, with the pair combining for six crosses, four dribbles and one key pass on the night. Their ability to get forward from full back also created plenty of spaces for Bikel, Alexandre, Caicedo, and Dájome to operate in.
The ‘Caps will now set their focus on turning those chances into goals this Sunday, May 16 against another Western Conference contender in Sporting KC at Children’s Mercy Park. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. PT, catch the match live on TSN2 and AM730. The radio pregame show starts at 10 a.m. PT.
