The Vancouver Whitecaps finally broke their Cascadia Cup duck by defeating the Seattle Sounders 2-0 at BC Place on Saturday night.
Kenny Miller opened the scoring in the 4th minute and Darren Mattocks sealed the deal eleven minutes from time as the ‘Caps brought their unbeaten run to five matches, bolstering a streak that has seen the side claim 29 points in 18 matches.
With the season high crowd of 22,500 in full voice, the Whitecaps got down to business early when Corey Hertzog looped a 30 yard ball over Seattle’s defense, releasing Miller. The Scot did well to anticipate the ball and when Jhon Kennedy Hurtado finally arrived to close him down, Miller cut right across his body – sending Hurtado sprawling – and cooly slotted a right footed shot past the outstretched arms of Seattle goal-keeper Michael Gspurning.
For Miller, the goal broke a three game scoreless streak after the 33 year old had scored a double in Vancouver’s 4-3 victory over New England back on June 15th. The 12 yard strike takes his impressive goal-haul to six in 10 appearances this season.
Seattle came roaring back with Eddie Johnson finding himself in on goal on two separate occasions but Vancouver keeper Brad Knighton produced a series of fine saves to preserve the lead.
In the second stanza, Seattle continued to pile on the pressure but the Vancouver defense held firm. In the 66th minute the Sounders were milling around the top of the box when the ball rolled onto the foot of Sharlie Joseph, who unleashed a cracker from 25 yards out that Knighton did well to save.
Nine minutes later Joseph collected the ball on the left side of the park and served in a curling effort that Martins flicked over his back and onto goal, but the effort inched over the bar.
In the 79th minute, a 65 yard bomb by Knighton was headed on by Gershon Koffie, springing substitute Darron Mattocks. The Jamaican flew past Djimi Traore, brought the ball down with a delicate shoulder touch and fooled Gspurning with a left-footed clip to the far post. The goal was Mattocks’ third on the season and first in two months.
With the victory, Vancouver improves to 8-5-5 putting them two points clear of LA Galaxy in fourth place of the Western Conference. Martin Rennie’s men next host Chicago on July 14th.
For Seattle, the loss takes them to 7-6-3 and they maintain their seventh position in the conference. Sigi Schmid and Company will seek to right the ship when they head to San Jose on July 13th.
