The San Jose Earthquakes are feelin’ all shook up.
The Vancouver Whitecaps buried the San Jose Earthquakes in a cascade of second half goals, winning 5-0 for their first-ever MLS playoff win Tuesday night at BC Place.
The Whitecaps had solid performances from front to back, particularly from substitute Nicolás Mezquida who scored two goals in quick succession late in the second half.
The beatdown of San Jose was much bigger than a win – it was a statement to the rest of Major League Soccer that the Whitecaps are back and they’re legit.
“Football’s there for records to be broken,” head coach Carl Robinson told the media after the game. “I’m delighted for everyone involved with the football club, and everyone involved with the city, because we needed a little bit of success. We got a little bit of success today, but that’s all it is.”
Goalkeeper controversy update
Much has been said in recent weeks with newcomer Stefan Marinović replacing David Ousted as Vancouver’s starting goalkeeper.
If it wasn't clear before, it is now, Marinovic is Robbo's guy and Ousted is definitely on the outs
— Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) October 26, 2017
Last weekend in the regular season finale against Portland Marinović spilled a routine save that led to Portland scoring a goal that was a turning point in the match.
Against the Quakes Marinović was flawless, recording a clean sheet and making a huge stop early in the game to deny the opening goal.
The Kiwi ‘keeper came up big again early in the second half to deny the ever dangerous Chris Wondolowski to keep his team ahead.
Marinović obviously did not let last week’s soft goal get to him, and he has to be Carl Robinson’s man for the rest of the playoff run.
Cristian Techera’s goal was world class. Period.
Despite the lopsided final score, the Whitecaps held a slim lead over San Jose for most of the match.
Nearing the final half hour, the Whitecaps were leading 1-0 when they were awarded a free kick 30 yards from the San Jose goal.
FK for the Caps in a very dangerous position. Calling Cristian Techera… #VANvSJ #MLSCupPlayoffs #VWFC
— soccerx.comMEDIA (@soccerxMEDIA) October 26, 2017
That’s when ‘El Bicho’ stepped up and curled home a curling beauty to extend the Caps’ lead.
It was a world class strike from the Uruguayan, and was the official end to the stretch run slump.
Montero finally scores in the playoffs
It’s hard to believe that before Wednesday Fredy Montero had never scored an MLS playoff goal.
Fans were concerned that Montero had not scored since the end of September, and hoped he would find his mojo in time for the playoffs.
After winning a corner kick in the 33rd minute, Montero slipped his markers to score the first goal of the game.
Montero had a solid match against the Quakes, and will eagerly be looking forward to the conference semifinals against the former club, the Seattle Sounders.
So. Many. Goals.
No one thought that the Whitecaps had five goals in them.
No one.
With the match starting to get away from them, San Jose became desperate for a goal and were thoroughly punished by the Whitecaps.
Firstly, captain Kendall Waston put the match beyond the Quakes’ reach with his this opportunistic goal in the 64th minute:
Finally, Nicolás Mezquida added to the rapidly increasing scoreline after being substituted into the match for Yordy Reyna in the 68th minute.
The quiet and hardworking Uruguayan has faithfully served the club during his time in Vancouver, and scored two beautiful goals to complete the demolition of San Jose.
The Whitecaps now face the Seattle Sounders in a two-leg series that kicks off on Sunday afternoon at 5:30pm at BC Place. The second leg goes Thursday in Seattle (time TBD).
Watching these ones over and over again.
On to the next! Sunday, BC Place 5:30 pm.
🎟https://t.co/p8VsI7Vs2p #ForVancouver #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/3indhFuqBP
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) October 26, 2017
MATCH DETAILS
Man of the Match: Nicolás Mezquida
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Attendance: 21,083
Scoring Summary
33’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (Kendall Waston, Cristian Techera)
57’ – VAN – Cristian Techera
64’ – VAN – Kendall Waston (Tim Parker)
78’ – VAN – Nicolás Mezquida (Christian Bolaños, Brek Shea)
80’ – VAN – Nicolás Mezquida (Brek Shea)
Statistics
Possession: Vancouver 45.4% – San Jose 54.6%
Shots: Vancouver 17 – San Jose 10
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 8 – San Jose 5
Saves: Vancouver 5 – San Jose 3
Fouls: Vancouver 11 – San Jose 13
Offsides: Vancouver 1 – San Jose 3
Corners: Vancouver 5 – San Jose 6
Cautions
76’ – SJ – Darwin Cerén
85’ – SJ – Aníbal Godoy
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
24.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 26.Tim Parker, 17.Marcel de Jong; 66.Aly Ghazal, 16.Tony Tchani (8.Andrew Jacobson 84’); 13.Cristian Techera (20.Brek Shea 75’), 29.Yordy Reyna (11.Nicolás Mezquida 68’), 7.Christian Bolaños; 12.Fredy Montero
Substitutes not used
1.David Ousted, 2.Jordan Harvey, 23.Bernie Ibini, 67.Alphonso Davies
San Jose Earthquakes
28.Andrew Tarbell; 2.Kofi Sarkodie (25.Quincy Amarikwa 74’), 5.Victor Bernárdez, 23.Florian Jungwirth, 6.Shea Salinas; 30.Anibal Godoy, 17.Darwin Ceren; 22.Tommy Thompson (21.Marco Ureña 62’), 8.Chris Wondolowski ©, 11.Valeri Qazaishvili (14.Jackson Yueill 86’); 9.Danny Hoesen
Substitutes not used
1.David Bingham, 3.Francois Affolter, 7.Cordell Cato, 15.Andrés Imperiale
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