The Vancouver Whitecaps surprised just about everyone in MLS on Saturday, as they dominated — dominated — the LA Galaxy from opening kickoff to the final whistle. The official stats keepers only gave Vancouver 52% of possession, but let’s be clear: the Caps played freakin’ keepaway against the defending champs, and won handily. The 2-0 scoreline flatters L.A. More telling is the shot total: Vancouver generated 18 shots on the Galaxy net, and only allowed six the other way. If you only count balls on net, the Whitecaps were even more impressive, outshooting L.A. nine to one.
So far this season, the Caps have won ugly, they’ve won lucky, and on Saturday, they won impressively. Vancouver is now on an MLS franchise-high four-game win streak, with depth everywhere on the pitch. It looks like it’s going to be a fun season, y’all.
Next up it’s a midweek game against the Columbus Crew, Wednesday at 7pm at BC Place, followed by a road match in San Jose on Saturday.
Whitecaps forward Mauro Rosales and TFC defender Justin Morrow undertake a footrace in the first half of MLS action. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Kianz Froese set up a goal in the first leg of the Voyageurs Cup Final. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Robert Earnshaw celebrates scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 Vancouver Whitecaps FC win over the Portland Timbers. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Reader. meet beard, I mean Nat. Dammit. Photo pinched from a google image search for Nat Borchers.
Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh runs onto a ball as TFC defender Warren Creavalle chases him down. Toronto won the season opener 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Octavio Rivero gets behind Nat Borchers’ beard, and he’s terrified at what he finds. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Octavio Rivero darts behind Portland Timbers defender Alvas Powell during MLS action at BC Place. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Gyasi Zardes was one of the few LA Galaxy players to have forward touches on the ball in a 2-0 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Robert Earnshaw thanks the heavens for his first goal as a Vancouver Whitecap — he should be thanking Pedro Morales for that sick pass, I’d say. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the head.
The Whitecaps new defense pair of Pa Modou Kah and Kendall Waston watched as TFC scored thrice in the season opener. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Octavio Rivero gets his foot on a loose ball which had fallen out of Nat Borchers’ beard. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Mauro Rosales blows past Justin Morrow during first half action in the 2015 MLS season opener. The Vancouver Whitecaps lost to the dirty, rotten, stinkin’ doughbugs of TFC 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Sam Adekugbe chases down a loose ball during MLS action at BC Place. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Marie Hui sings the national anthem prior to the Vancouver Whitecaps season opener. Sadly, the home team lost their 2015 home opener to the dirty, rotten, stinkin’ doughbugs of TFC 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Buddy here did not enjoy the result of the Whitecaps season opener. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Kendall Waston was all smiles following Octavio Rivero’s season-opening goal, but it was TFC who walked away with the 3-1 win. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Octavio Rivero starts the celebration of his first-ever MLS goal as his left-footed shot crosses the line behind TFC goaltender Joe Bendik. The Vancouver Whitecaps went on to lose the game 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
David Ousted has been deservedly named as a last-minute addition to the MLS All-Star roster. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The much heralded Uruguayan striker Octavio Rivero celebrates his first MLS goal during the first half of the 2015 season opener. The Vancouver Whitecaps lost to the dirty rotten stinkin’ doughbugs of TFC 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Pa-Modou Kah was called for a late PK after taking down TFC striker Jozy Altidore. The Vancouver Whitecaps lost their 2015 home opener 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Coach Carl Robinson watches on as his Vancouver Whitecaps steal three points against the Portland Timbers at BC Place. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
This member of the Curva Collective supporters club put on a brave face, but her Vancouver Whitecaps lost their 2015 home opener 3-1. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
Sam Adekugbe jacks up the crowd after Robert Earnshaw’s late go-ahead goal. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
