VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC opened their Concacaf Champions League campaign against Honduran side Real C.D. España with a 5-0 victory at BC Place this Wednesday evening.
The match began with a strong save from Yohei Takaoka, as the goalkeeper continued his form by parrying an opportunity taken from Jhow Benavídez in the eighth minute.
After settling into the match, the ‘Caps continuing to push throughout the first half. Pedro Vite and Julian Gressel combined on a quick play following a corner, resulting in Gressel's third assist in three matches to start the season. Tristan Blackmon got on the end of his cross with a header that opened the score in the 21st minute.
The second half saw the home side impose themselves in the match. Following a counter attack, Ryan Gauld sprung Ryan Raposo in the final third. He then cut inside and hit a strike from outside the box that would give his side a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute of the match.
Moments later, Gauld sent a through pass to Cristian Dájome, as his quick pass from the left side of the field deflected off of defender Devron García for an own goal in the 64th minute.
As the half progressed, Vancouver continued to create chances. In the 70th minute Gauld’s pass in the final third connected to Pedro Vite, who would extend his squad’s lead to 4-0.
The Blue & White would not be done orchestrating opportunities. Raposo’s hard work ended with a pass that found forward Brian White, as his low strike found the far corner of the net in the 77th minute making it 5-0.
The ‘Caps are back in MLS action this upcoming Saturday with a Western Conference clash against FC Dallas, celebrating Women & Girls in Sport. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. PT. Tickets remain available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
NOTES:
- Mathías Laborda made his first appearance and start at BC Place.
- Julian Gressel has recorded an assist in all three Whitecaps FC matches so far this season.
- The five-goal margin of victory ties the 'Caps largest in their MLS era alongside the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs win over San Jose Earthquakes.
- Tristan Blackmon's goal was his first at BC Place.
- All four of Ryan Raposo's goals for Whitecaps FC have come at BC Place.
- Karifa Yao and J.C. Ngando made their Whitecaps FC debuts.
MATCH DETAILS
Attendance: 13,644
Referee: Fernando Hernández
Scoring Summary
21’ – VAN – Tristan Blackmon (Julian Gressel)
59’ – VAN – Ryan Raposo (Ryan Gauld)
64’ – VAN – Devron García (own goal)
70’ – VAN – Pedro Vite (Ryan Gauld)
77’ – VAN – Brian White (Ryan Raposo)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 53.9% – RES 46.1%
Shots: VAN 27 – RES 10
Shots on Goal: VAN 11 – RES 2
Saves: VAN 2 – RES 7
Fouls: VAN 13 – RES 5
Offsides: VAN 3 – RES 0
Corners: VAN 5 – RES 1
Cautions
7’ – VAN – Ranko Veselinović
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Yohei Takaoka; 2.Mathías Laborda, 4.Ranko Veselinović (12.Karifa Yao 79’), 6.Tristan Blackmon, 27.Ryan Raposo; 19.Julian Gressel (16.Sebastian Berhalter 71’), 20.Andrés Cubas (26.J.C. Ngando 79’), 25.Ryan Gauld © (31.Russell Teibert 71’); 11.Cristian Dájome, 45.Pedro Vite; 9.Sergio Córdova (24.Brian White 62’)
Substitutes not used
1.Thomas Hasal, 32.Isaac Boehmer, 7.Déiber Caicedo, 14.Luís Martins, 22.Ali Ahmed, 23.Javain Brown, 29.Simon Becher
Real C.D. España
22.Luis López, 2.Getsel Montes, 5.Franklin Flores, 6.Devron García, 28.Carlos Mejía, 50.Júnior García; 10.Jhow Benavídez (48.Aaron Zúñiga 79’), 27.Gerson Chávez, 23.Juan Vieyra (39.Exon Arzú 70’); 19.Ramiro Rocca (17.Pedro Báez 70’), 11.Darixon Vuelto (7.José Reyes 89’)
Substitutes not used
1.Michael Perelló, 25.Maikel García, 26.Marco Aceituno, 56.Darlin Mencia
