HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – So that was fun.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-6L-2D) came away with an entertaining 2-1 win over New York Red Bulls (4W-5L-5D) on Saturday night at Red Bull Arena.
Here are three things that stood out to me.
GREAT DANE
Prior to Saturday’s match, David Ousted was 0-for-8 on penalty kicks saves in his MLS career - although Darlington Nagbe did hit the post earlier this year.
Now, he’s only the third goalkeeper in MLS history (and first since 2003) to save two PKs in a single game – and they both came off the foot of 2014 MLS Golden Boot winner Bradley Wright-Phillips. After the game, Ousted deflected some of the credit, which says a lot about the type of person he is.
“A lot of credit goes out to our video guys back in Vancouver,” he told TSN 1410 radio. “They do all the video work and give me all the penalties of the other team we’re going to face. It helps me get ready and it helps me analyze what we’re up against. You do the analysis before the games and you look for the little tells when you’re standing and looking at him. Luckily I read it right today and got the saves.”
It seems every week we’re talking about another spectacular Ousted save – you surely haven’t forgotten this one – and Saturday night was no exception.
If he isn’t the leading candidate for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, then there’s a serious problem.
THING OF BEAUTY
That first Whitecaps FC goal was a thing of beauty.
The spinning Cristian Techera throughball, the inch-perfect Steven Beitashour cross, and the cool Kekuta Manneh finish were all absolute class.
It's no secret the 'Caps are most dangerous off the counter-attack. That's how they've scored most of their goals this season.
Not this one.
Manneh’s goal capped off a 16-pass sequence spanning 39 seconds (see below). That’s Vancouver’s longest passing sequence on a goal this season.
Yes, the Red Bulls were playing with a man down, but the ‘Caps sure took advantage.
OPENING HIS ACCOUNT
Kianz Froese, 19, has been a member of Whitecaps FC since 2012.
He came through the Residency program, he’s played for the club in the United Soccer League, and now he has his first MLS goal.
It was a big one, too. And you can see what it meant to him.
The young Canadian, who was born in Cuba before moving to Manitoba as a young child, joins Russell Teibert as the second Whitecaps FC Residency product to score an MLS goal. However, Residency grads Marco Bustos and Ben McKendry also found the back of the net this weekend for WFC2.
The future sure looks bright.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! Whitecaps FC Season Tickets are now on sale. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
