Sure, 2016 didn't exactly go as plan for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. But there were still plenty of memorable moments that made us smile (and scream). Here are five of my favourites:
5. THRILLER IN TORONTO
The ‘Caps won their first-ever MLS match at BMO Field on May 14 – and they did so in thrilling fashion, defeating Toronto FC 4-3 on the strength of two goals and an assist from Kekuta Manneh.
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson started the 21-year-old speedster started centrally underneath striker Erik Hurtado in a new-look 4-4-1-1 formation – and it paid off in a big way as Manneh torched the TFC back line throughout the match, scoring a pair of left-footed beauties.
“Carl noticed chinks in the TFC armour and we used it,” said Whitecaps FC goalkeeper David Ousted, who stopped a Jozy Altidore penalty kick in the first half.
You’ll be hard-pressed finding a more entertaining game than this one.
4. HABER’S HOME PLAYOFF MATCH HEROICS
This is how you get to the @USL Western Conference Final
— Whitecaps FC 2 (@wfc2) October 8, 2016
Well done lads! https://t.co/YrCrznUVVV#OurAllOurHonourpic.twitter.com/lsJQ0vVghh
WFC2 hosted their first-ever home playoff game on October 8 at UBC Thunderbird Stadium.
And what a game it was.
The young ‘Caps had a 2-0 lead going into the final half-hour, but the older, bigger, and stronger Oklahoma City side turned up the heat in the dying stages to tie the game up with 10 minutes remaining. That set the stage for Daniel Haber’s heroic double nut-meg winner in the 89th minute.
3. WONDER GOAL WINNER
Speaking of heroic winners in the 89th minute, meet Blas Pérez.
On May 11, the Panamanian scored an incredible bicycle kick goal late in the match to seal a 2-1 win for Whitecaps FC over Chicago Fire. That’s what you call a stunner.
It was Pérez’s second goal of the game, too. Those bull horns have never looked so good.
2. KINGS OF CASCADIA
The ‘Caps went into their regular season finale knowing they needed to beat rival Portland Timbers by at least three goals to reclaim the Cascadia Cup.
And that’s exactly what they did.
Giles Barnes was the hero for Whitecaps FC, scoring a pair of goals en route to a 4-1 victory. The result also eliminated Portland from playoff contention – a reverse of fortunes from a year ago.
Suffice to say, the crowd of 24,083 went home happy – aside from those wearing green, of course.
1. DAVIES SENDS ‘CAPS TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUARTERS
Two of the bright spots from Vancouver’s 2016 campaign were the team’s performance in the CONCACAF Champions League and the emergence of now 16-year-old Alphonso Davies.
That’s why this was the best moment of the season.
On September 13, Davies scored the game-winning-goal in the third minute of stoppage time to defeat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 and send Vancouver to the Champions League quarterfinals for the first time in club history. It was Davies’ first goal with the team and it came after a two-hour weather delay, only adding to the mystique of a moment that will be remembered for a long time.
