COMMERCE CITY, CO
– It was a game of firsts, as
Lucas Venuto
and
Andy Rose
opened their 'Caps accounts, and head coach Marc Dos Santos claimed his first road victory in a 3-2 win over Colorado Rapids on Friday.
Dos Santos made two changes to his starting lineup, as
Lass Bangoura
slotted in for
Victor “PC” Giro
, who was ruled out prior to the match with hamstring tightness. As well,
Fredy Montero
started his seventh match of the season, in place of the injured
Yordy Reyna
(hamstring strain).
In the 17th minute, it was the two newcomers to the starting lineup that made the impact, with Bangoura threading a beautiful ball to Montero, who flicked it passed Rapids defender Axel Sjöberg and potted home his second goal of the year past Tim Howard.
Just nine minutes later, the Colombian striker chased down a long ball over the top from
Doneil Henry
, beating out two other Rapids defenders and squaring the ball into the box for Venuto, who tapped in the first MLS goal of his career.
The Rapids got one back just before the half, as Montero conceded a penalty after he fouled Rapids midfielder Kellyn Acosta at the top of the box. It was former ‘Caps forward Kei Kamara that stepped up to the spot and blasted home his first of the night to cut the ‘Caps lead in half.
After the break, Saskatchewan-born
Brett Levis
made his first appearance of the season, replacing Venuto, who sustained a foot injury in the first half. But it was a tough start for Levis, as he was called for a penalty, after referee Alex Chilowicz went to VAR to confirm the foul.
For the second time of the match, Kamara was called upon to take the penalty, scoring his second goal of the game to draw the game at two.
In the 77th minute the Rapids would go down a man, after Diego Rubio lashed out and hit Henry in the face, following a foul by the ‘Caps big man.
It looked as if the ‘Caps were about to take full advantage of the man advantage, as Lass found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, but after another look from VAR, the goal was waived off as
Andy Rose
was ruled to be offside.
But shortly after, it was Rose who found sweet redemption, as Lass’ shot took a deflection that landed at the feet of the English midfielder, who missed the previous six games after suffering a facial fracture and concussion, and neatly tucked away the eventual game-winning goal for Whitecaps FC.
Whitecaps FC now return to Vancouver for a two-game homestand. They play host to Cascadia rival Portland Timbers next Friday, May 10. Kickoff at BC Place is at 7 p.m. PT live on TSN and TSN Radio 1040. They are back in action the following Wednesday, May 15 when they host the defending MLS Cup champions Atlanta United at BC Place. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
WFC Man of the Match:
Fredy Montero
Referee:
Alex Chilowicz
Attendance:
10,794
Scoring Summary
16’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (Lass Bangoura)
26’ – VAN – Lucas Venuto (Fredy Montero, Doneil Henry)
38’ – COL – Kei Kamara (penalty kick)
53’ – COL – Kei Kamara (penalty kick)
87’ – VAN – Andy Rose
Statistics
Possession
: COL 49.7% – VAN 50.3%
Shots
: COL 16 – VAN 9
Shots on Goal
: COL 4 – VAN 4
Saves
: COL 1 – VAN 1
Fouls
: COL 14 – VAN 10
Offsides
: COL 0 – VAN 2
Corners
: COL 8 – VAN 2
Duels won
: COL 52 – VAN 47
Tackles won
: COL 11 – VAN 7
Cautions
77' – VAN – Doneil Henry
89’ – COL – Kellyn Acosta
Ejections
77’ – COL – Diego Rubio
Colorado Rapids
1.TIm Howard ©; 2.Keegan Rosenberry, 44.Axel Sjöberg, 27.Deklan Wynne; 22.Sebastian Anderson (28.Sam Nicholson 62’), 4.Danny Wilson (6.Benny Feilhaber 73’), 19.Jack Price (99.Andre Shinyashiki 81’), 13.Sam Vines; 10.Kellyn Acosta, 7.Diego Rubio, 23.Kei Kamara
Substitutes not used
31.Clint Irwin, 5.Tommy Smith, 20.Nicolás Mezquida, 26.Cole Bassett
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 28.Jakob Nerwinski, 22.Erik Godoy, 2.Doneil Henry, 53.Ali Adnan; 4.Inbeom Hwang, 6.Jon Erice ©, 31.Russell Teibert (15.Andy Rose 68’); 7.Lucas Venuto (46.Brett Levis HT), 12.Fredy Montero, 19.Lass Bangoura (8.Felipe Martins 90’)
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 9.Joaquín Ardaiz, 13.Derek Cornelius, 23.Scott Sutter
