VANCOUVER, BC – Sebastian Fernandez and Mauro Rosales stole the headlines on Saturday, and rightfully so, after leading Vancouver Whitecaps FC to a 2-0 win over FC Dallas.
Fernandez scored two goals in the first 20 minutes, which earned him Budweiser Man of the Match and MLS Player of the Week honours. And Rosales, who set up both goals, was named to the MLS Team of the Week along with Matias Laba. The South Americans were worthy recipients of these honours, but as evidenced below, it was a total team effort.
TRUE TEAM GOAL
It may come as a surprise to some that Fernandez’s first goal is up for MLS Goal of the Week, but it’s a worthy nominee. Rosales’ cross was superb and Fernandez did well to lunge over Je-Vaughn Watson before heading it into the top left corner.
However, the build-up may have been the most impressive part of the goal. The ‘Caps are a team known for their potent counter-attack. That’s how they’ve scored most of their goals this season. Not this one.
Check out the passing sequence that led to the goal. It was a total of 17 successful passes between nine different players, starting with Steven Beitashour’s throw-in and culminating in Rosales’ cross.
HURTADO’S HOLD-UP PLAY
Speaking of that first goal, it probably doesn’t happen without Erik Hurtado’s hold-up play.
The second-year striker managed to retain possession with his back to goal, drawing attention from five Dallas players, before playing it out wide to Rosales.
As Carl Robinson has stressed all season long, that’s what you need a lone striker to do – and Hurtado did a whole lot of it on Saturday.
MAKING AN IMPACT
It wasn’t his most glamorous performance of the season, but Whitecaps FC midfielder Pedro Morales made his presence felt in Saturday’s win. In fact, the ‘Caps captain indirectly contributed to both goals.
On the first goal, he switched the play over to Rosales with a pinpoint ball that fans have become so accustomed to seeing this season. Then, after a few quick passes, Rosales sent a cross into Fernandez, who headed it into the top left corner at the back post.
Just a few minutes later, Morales made his way over to the other side of the pitch, chasing down FC Dallas fullback Moises Hernandez before he and Rosales combined to dispossess him near the touchline.
We’re talking about two of the team’s most high profile and offensively-gifted players putting in the extra effort to close down Hernandez at midfield. Those types of plays should not go unnoticed.
Fittingly, the result was Fernandez’s second goal of the game.
SHUTTING THE DOOR
Only three teams have scored more goals than FC Dallas this season: LA Galaxy, Seattle Sounders FC, and Portland Timbers. But the Blue and White managed to shut them out, thanks to some fantastic defending – particularly in the second half when Dallas pushed numbers forward.
Centre back Kendall Waston was once again front and centre with a game-high 10 clearances and eight interceptions in a game where he was predominantly matched up against Blas Perez, who had scored in three straight games prior to Saturday’s contest.
The entire back line actually put in a strong shift (Harvey racked up a season-high five interceptions) – as did goalkeeper David Ousted and holding midfielders Russell Teibert and Matias Laba.
The graphic below shows Waston's clearances (in green) and interceptions (in blue).
MANAGING THE GAME
As Robinson alluded to in his post-match press conference, Whitecaps FC did a great job of “managing the game” with a 2-0 lead in the second half.
On that note, the ‘Caps used a lot more of the flanks (particularly the left side) in the second half in comparison to the first, when they mostly played through the centre of the park.
Whether that was an intentional approach or a natural byproduct of the space they were finding on the counter, it worked. One example of this came late in the game when Kekuta Manneh ran the ball down the left flank before winning a corner, which drew a big appluase from the crowd and his teammates.
The graphic below shows all of Vancouver's attempted passes (successful in green, unsuccessful in red).
LABA’S BLOCK
This GIF speaks for itself.
Participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver! Save 12% on 2015 Whitecaps FC Season Tickets between September 26 and October 7. In addition to Season Tickets, Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, Student Half-Season Tickets, and a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket. For more information on 2015 Season Tickets, visit whitecapsfc.com/12.
