VANCOUVER, BC – Carl Robinson promised an end-to-end affair on Saturday afternoon.
And Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6W-6L-1D) did not disappoint, cruising to a dominant 3-1 win over new MLS darlings Atlanta United FC (5W-5L-3D) at BC Place.
The ‘Caps scored three unanswered goals after Atlanta took an early lead, including a first-half brace from captain Kendall Waston – his first two goals of 2017 – and Fredy Montero’s team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 68th minute.
The win improves Vancouver’s record to .500 on the season, including four wins in their last five MLS outings at BC Place.
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made one change to his starting lineup after last weekend’s 1-0 defeat vs. D.C. United, as midfielder Matias Laba returned from suspension to replace Alphonso Davies.
It was the sixth time in seven MLS matches Robinson had fielded the same starting XI.
Their assignment on Saturday? A high-flying Atlanta attack that entered the weekend atop the MLS scoring charts. And the expansion showed what they’re all about early.
In the seventh minute, an unmarked Greg Garza gave Atlanta the lead, banging in a cross from Julian Gressel at the back post.
7' GOALLLL!! @gmgarza4 with his first of the season!#ATLUTD 1 - 0 @WhitecapsFCpic.twitter.com/KRNqk3HRJ3
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) June 3, 2017
Just like that, it was 1-0 for the visitors. But the ‘Caps took control from there.
They ended up outshooting Atlanta 9-3 in the first half and entered halftime with a deserved 2-1 lead thanks to a pair of goals from Waston.
First, the ‘Caps captain showed a deft touch in the box after a lovely chipped cross from Andrew Jacobson and finished from the top of the six to level the match in the 31st minute – Waston’s first goal with his foot since joining MLS in 2014. Then, just before the break, he soared over a defender to head in a Cristian Techera corner and put Vancouver ahead in the 44th minute.
.@kwaston88 back to what he knows best - scoring with his head! Brace for the big man. https://t.co/BfKfrJKuGr
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) June 3, 2017
Atlanta nearly got one back in first-half stoppage time, when Carlos Caroma got on the end of a Miguel Amiron free kick. But unlike a week ago the woodwork proved in Vancouver’s favour as Caroma’s header rung off the crossbar.
The ‘Caps did not let up after the break.
After a pair of chances from Montero and Christian Bolanos, they eventually netted an insurance marker in the 68th minute on another corner. Waston got on the end of it again, this time heading it across the face of goal to his centre back partner Tim Parker. United keeper Alec Kann swatted Parker’s header off the goalline, or at least appeared to upon first glance, but Montero roofed the rebound to give Vancouver a two-goal cushion.
.@_fredymontero, notches 'Caps third of the night. #readyfredyhttps://t.co/8rDVMgGC0l
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) June 3, 2017
And they would hold onto the lead, thanks in part to a pair of key blocks from Parker and Waston, en route to their sixth win of the season.
After a week off for the FIFA international break, Whitecaps FC return to action on Saturday, June 17 vs. FC Dallas (7 p.m. PT at BC Place – tickets still available).
MCMILLAN 'CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every 'Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $1,800 for a running total of $5,400.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Kendall Waston
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Attendance: 19,816
Scoring Summary
7’ – ATL – Greg Garza (Julian Gressel, Yamil Asad)
31’ – VAN – Kendall Waston (Andrew Jacobson)
44’ – VAN – Kendall Waston (Cristian Techera)
68’ – VAN – Fredy Montero
Statistics
Possession: Vancouver 33.4% – Atlanta 66.6%
Shots: Vancouver 17 – Atlanta 7
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 6 – Atlanta 2
Saves: Vancouver 1 – Atlanta 3
Fouls: Vancouver 17 – Atlanta 9
Offsides: Vancouver 3 – Atlanta 1
Corners: Vancouver 8 – Atlanta 4
Cautions
62’ – ATL – Miguel Almiron
70’ – ATL – Leandro Gonzalez Pirez
87’ – VAN – Kendall Waston
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 25.Sheanon Williams, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 26.Tim Parker, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.MatÃas Laba; 13.Cristian Techera (67.Alphonso Davies 76’), 8.Andrew Jacobson, 16.Tony Tchani, 7.Christian Bolaños (17.Marcel de Jong 90’); 12.Fredy Montero (20.Brek Shea 81’)
Substitutes not used
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 31.Russell Teibert, 28.Jake Nerwinski, 77.Mauro Rosales
Atlanta United FC
25.Alec Kann; 2.Tyrone Mears, 3.Michael Parkhurst (26.Anton Walkes 78’) ©, 5.Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, 4.Greg Garza; 18.Jeff Larentowicz (9.Kenwyne Jones 67’), 14.Carlos Carmona; 24.Julian Gressel, 10.Miguel Almiron, 11.Yamil Asad; 15.Victor Villalba
Substitutes not used
32.Kyle Reynish, 8.Kevin Kratz, 13.Harrison Heath, 16.Chris McCann, 21.Mark Bloom
