Spectacular bicycle kick goal tops off historic win for Whitecaps in Dallas (VIDEO)
Spectacular goals, a phantom penalty kick, and red card made for a wild match between the Vancouver Whitecaps and FC Dallas down in Frisco, Texas on Saturday.
It was a statement game for the Whitecaps, who capped off the match with a statement goal:
Nicolas Mezquida’s bicycle kick wasn’t the most important goal of the game, but it certainly was the most spectacular.
Let’s watch that one again:
🚴🚴🚴🚴🚴#VWFC #FCDvVAN https://t.co/vNJgPapHGj
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) July 30, 2017
That goal was the cherry on top, giving the Whitecaps a 4-0 road win over one of the best teams in Major League Soccer.
Saturday’s victory was a historic one for Vancouver, as the win marked the first time they’ve earned points while visiting FC Dallas.
Simply, it was the biggest win on the road by the Whitecaps since joining MLS.
Changes, changes, and more changes
Your #VWFC Starting XI pic.twitter.com/IxrPhgfNYE
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) July 29, 2017
Whitecaps FC manager Carl Robinson did a major overhaul to his starting XI compared to the team that was bitterly defeated at home last weekend against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers.
Jordan Harvey, Andrew Jacobson, Jake Nerwinski, Cristian Techera, Christian Bolaños, and Nicolas Mezquida gave way for Marcel de Jong, the return of Kendall Waston, Sheanon Williams, Bernie Ibini, Brek Shea, and Yordy Reyna.
If six changes to the lineup were not enough, the Welsh Tactician also tried a formation that he has rarely deployed since taking the Whitecaps helm. Robinson stayed away from his tried and tested 4-2-3-1 and his recent dabbles with a 4-3-3, choosing instead to line his troops in a 4-4-1-1 with Yordy Reyna sitting behind Fredy Montero.
This deployment allowed the one nicknamed “Magic” to play freely up top. The Peruvian was able to drop deep to get more involved on the ball and drift wide when space opened, all without being burdened with defensive responsibilities as he had Matias Laba and Tony Tchani behind him to reliably shield the defence.
Attacking works!
The new formation and the personnel deployed to execute it worked wonderfully throughout the match. The physicality and speed Ibini and Shea provided on the wings, combined with a noticeable willingness to attack and press high, and team’s defensive responsibility made it very hard for FC Dallas to play the possession-based football that makes them so dangerous.
The ‘Caps efforts were rewarded early when Bernie Ibini opened his goalscoring account for the Whitecaps at the 18th minute when he rifled a low shot from outside the box that beat FC Dallas keeper Jesse Gonzales.
The goal was an important landmark for the Australian native.
It was also a memorable one for the Blue and White as it was the first time they have made it onto the board at Toyota Stadium since the playoff knockout match in 2014 (a game the Whitecaps ultimately lost 2-1 after referee Mark Geiger awarded a controversial last minute penalty to Dallas).
Montero = Goals
Speaking of penalty kicks, the Whitecaps were the recipients of an early Christmas gift when referee Baldomero Toledo concocted a phantom foul on Fredy Montero inside the box, much to the chagrin of FC Dallas midfielder Kellyn Acosta.
Montero took on the responsibility from the spot and didn’t miss this time, doubling his team’s lead early in the second half.
A red card was given to FC Dallas after Carlos Gruezo elbowed Reyna in the face while the two players collided and went to ground.
The red card changed the dynamic of the match and spaces opened up for the Whitecaps. Montero found himself with some space in the box and the Colombian made no mistake making the score 3-0.
It is great news for the ‘Caps to see their Designated Player scoring once again. It should be a much needed boost of confidence for Montero who has, at times, looked frustrated by his lack of scoring. Perhaps more importantly, the early signs of chemistry between Reyna and Montero should have Whitecaps fans salivating about what could be with this team going forward.
The win brings Vancouver’s record to 9W-8L-3D and keeps them above the playoff bar in the Western Conference. They’ll play their second straight road game Saturday in Colorado.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Fredy Montero
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 15,274
Scoring Summary
18’ – VAN – Bernie Ibini (Fredy Montero)
49’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (penalty kick)
67’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (Tony Tchani, Matías Laba)
83’ – VAN – Nicolás Mezquida (Sheanon Williams)
Statistics
Possession: Dallas 57.3% – Vancouver 42.7%
Shots: Dallas 15 – Vancouver 11
Shots on Goal: Dallas 3 – Vancouver 6
Saves: Dallas 2 – Vancouver 3
Fouls: Dallas 10 – Vancouver 9
Offsides: Dallas 3 – Vancouver 1
Corners: Dallas 9 – Vancouver 4
Cautions
79’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
89’ – DAL – Atiba Harris
Ejection
59’ – DAL – Carlos Gruezo
FC Dallas
1.Jesse Gonzalez; 14.Atiba Harris, 25.Walker Zimmerman, 24.Matt Hedges ©, 12.Ryan Hollingshead; 7.Carlos Gruezo, 8.Victor Ulloa (23.Kellyn Acosta HT); 21.Michael Barrios, 10.Mauro Diaz (9.Cristian Colman 63‘), 20.Roland Lamah; 37.Maximiliano Urruti (13.Tesho Akindele 79’)
Substitutes not used
18.Chris Seitz, 5.Carlos Cermeno, 19.Paxton Pomykal, 22.Reggie Cannon
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 25.Sheanon Williams, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 26.Tim Parker, 17.Marcel de Jong; 23.Bernie Ibini (13.Cristian Techera 63‘), 15.Matías Laba, 16.Tony Tchani, 20.Brek Shea (19.Erik Hurtado 88‘); 29.Yordy Reyna (11.Nicolás Mezquida 79’); 12.Fredy Montero
Substitutes not used
24.Stefan Marinović, 28.Jake Nerwinski, 31.Russell Teibert, 77.Mauro Rosales
See also
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