CASA GRANDE, AZ - Vancouver Whitecaps FC kicked off their 2013 preseason schedule with a bang, defeating Eastern Conference side New England Revolution 4-1 on Tuesday night at Grande Sports World in Casa Grande, Arizona.
Darren Mattocks netted an early hat-trick and Kenny Miller slotted home a second half penalty kick in an impressive first preseason performance for the Blue and White.
“I think it was a very good start to the game for us,” Whitecaps FC head coach Martin Rennie told whitecapsfc.com. “We got three good goals at the start of the match, and we looked dangerous going forward. There’s definitely a lot to work on, and things that were a bit frustrating, but for the start of the preseason, it was very good overall.”
Rennie implemented a 4-4-2 formation and made many substitutions throughout the match, giving a number of returning, new, and trialists a chance to regain their match fitness and sharpness.
Just over a minute in, 2013 MLS SuperDraft fourth overall pick Kekuta Manneh found last year's leading MLS rookie scorer in 2012, Darren Mattocks, for the first goal of the preseason.
Four minutes later, Camilo, who was playing just behind Mattocks, played a great through ball to the Jamaican international. Mattocks' nice finish doubled the ‘Caps advantage.
On 11 minutes, New England striker Matt Horth was tripped up in the box and the 'Revs were awarded a penalty kick. Midfielder Chris Tierney stepped up and put it home, leaving the ’Caps with a 2-1 lead.
The two-goal cushion was quickly restored by the ‘Caps speedy striker on 15 minutes. Mattocks’ sealed his hat-trick on a beautiful header after a free kick delivery from Alain Rochat, putting Whitecaps FC up 3-1.
After a fast-paced opening first 15 minutes, which included four goals, scoring slowed down and Vancouver went into halftime with a 3-1 lead.
The lone goal after the break took place just past the midway point of the second half, when Vancouver striker Corey Hertzog was taken down inside the box and a penalty kick was awarded. Miller promptly buried the spot kick to the left of Revs goalkeeper Luis Soffner.
It was an appropriate end to a great Whitecaps FC effort and fittingly, the ‘Caps walked away with a 4-1 win.
Whitecaps FC will look to carry the momentum into Saturday’s preseason match against Houston Dynamo at Kino Sports Complex in Tucson, Arizona. Kickoff is at 3 p.m. PT and the match will be streamed live on whitecapsfc.com.
Scoring Summary:
2’ – VAN – Darren Mattocks (Kekuta Manneh)
5’ – VAN – Darren Mattocks (Camilo Sanvezzo, Joe Cannon)
11’ – NE – Chris Tierney (penalty kick)
15’ – VAN – Darren Mattocks (Alain Rochat)
65’ – VAN – Kenny Miller (penalty kick)
Match Stats:
Shots: New England 15 – Vancouver 7
Shots on Goal: New England 5 – Vancouver 6
Saves: New England 2 – Vancouver 4
Fouls: New England 9 – Vancouver 8
Offsides: New England 5 – Vancouver 4
Corners: New England 5 – Vancouver 1
Misconduct Summary:
65' – VAN – Greg Klazura (caution)
New England Revolution
Bobby Shuttleworth (Luis Soffner* 59), Kevin Alston (Quinton Griffith^ 45), Jose Goncalves (Stephen McCarthy 45), A.J. Soares (Andrew Farrell 17, Alex DeJohn* 78), Bilal Duckett^ (Darrius Barnes 45), Chris Tierney (Donnie Smith* 45), Scott Caldwell (Kelyn Rowe 45), Kalifa Cisse (Clyde Simms 45), Gabe Latigue* (Sainey Nyassi 45, Chris Thomas* 77), Diego Fagundez (Dimitry Imbongo 45, Anthony Salciccia 82^), Matt Horth (Ryan Guy 45)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Joe Cannon (18.Brad Knighton 45'); 25.Jaime Peters^ (32.Greg Klazura 45'), 2.Brad Rusin (19.Carlyle Mitchell 45'), 40.Andy O'Brien (38.Beto Navarro^ 45'), 12.Young-Pyo Lee (3.Jordan Harvey 45'); 22.Paulo Jr. (16.Erik Hurtado 45'), 27.Jun Marques Davidson (35.Crispin Olando^ 45', 37.Joseph Lapira^ 75), 4.Alain Rochat (28.Gershon Koffie 45'), 23.Kekuta Manneh (16.Matt Watson 45'); 7.Camilo Sanvezzo (9.Kenny Miller 45'), 11.Darren Mattocks (34.Caleb Clarke 29’, 26.Corey Hertzog 62’)
^ - Training camp invitee
* - Unsigned draft pick
** - Academy player
