VANCOUVER, BC – Anthony Blondell made his first start at BC Place and scored his first MLS goal on Friday night in a 2-0 win over Real Salt Lake. Here’s a closer look at the Venezuelan’s performance.
THE SKINNY
Blondell started the match as the lone striker in a 4-2-3-1 formation – and he was active from the get go. The 23-year-old got in behind, worked hard off the ball, created chances for his teammates, and ultimately found the back of the net with the ‘Caps down a man in the 79th minute.
KEY MOMENT
Have to go with the goal, right?
Yes, Alphonso Davies deserves the bulk of the credit for setting up Blondell with an incredible individual effort, but when you’re a striker in that position, you better make sure that ball crosses the line.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Here are three other moments in which Blondell was heavily involved.
Blondell finished the match with game-highs in duels won (11) and successful dribbles (4).
QUOTABLE
“He’ll be judged on his goals. Most people who have ideas about football understand that it’s not just about goalscoring, it’s about work rate as well. We are a team. We set our work rate from the front of the team and he epitomizes that today with his chasing, harrying, and that lot … I thought he was excellent from the first few minutes.” - Carl Robinson
