MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Hurtado's first MLS goal leads 'Caps to first road win of 2014

Published on May 10, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


COLUMBUS, OHIO - Erik Hurtado's first Major League Soccer goal carried Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-2L-4D) to a 1-0 win over Columbus Crew (3W-4L-3D) on Saturday evening at Crew Stadium.

Making his first MLS start in nearly a year, Hurtado found the back of the net in the 37th minute with a wonderfully taken left-footed strike to help Whitecaps FC claim their first road win of the 2014 MLS season.

Goalkeeper David Ousted, who earned his first MLS assist on Hurtado's goal, made two saves en route to his second clean sheet of the season.

The "˜Caps, who outshot Columbus by a 22-12 margin, have now won two straight matches and are undefeated in their last four MLS fixtures.

Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made just one change to his starting lineup after last weekend's 3-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes. Hurtado, the only player who started both of Vancouver's matches this week, replaced an injured Darren Mattocks (hamstring strain) as the lone striker.

The second-year striker/winger was very involved for Whitecaps FC early on, as the visiting "˜Caps got off to a lively start at Crew Stadium.

In the fourth minute, Hurtado helped create a turnover deep in Columbus territory before Sebastian Fernandez sent a shot just wide of the goal. And in the ninth minute, Hurtado saw his strike from inside the area foiled by Crew goalkeeper Steve Clark after a nice passing play with Kekuta Manneh.

It was a free-flowing start to the match, as both sides pushed forward in search of the all-important opening goal.

Columbus had a few chances of their own, as Ousted was forced to make a few early saves off a Hector Jimenez strike and Jairo Arrieta header.

The Crew looked dangerous on the counter at times, but the "˜Caps kept things organized at the back and seemed to be dictating the pace of the game.

In the 37th minute, Vancouver opened the scoring thanks to a moment of brilliance from Hurtado. First, the 23-year-old chested down a precise Ousted free kick, took a perfect touch, and then launched a curling 22-yard strike into the top left corner of the goal.

Whitecaps FC created a few more chances before the break, including a well-taken Pedro Morales free kick from distance, before taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Robinson's side looked eager to add to their advantage in the early stages of the second half. Manneh and Hurtado, Vancouver's 2013 MLS SuperDraft picks who were making their first MLS start together, looked particularly dangerous.

In the 49th minute, Manneh released Hurtado into the box with a perfectly weighted throughball but Clark was quick off his line to disrupt Hurtado's attempt.

At the other end of the park, Columbus pushed numbers forward in the second half as they looked to end their six-match winless spell. One of their best chances came in the 76th minute, when substitute Justin Meram headed a Dominic Oduro cross just over the goal.

Columbus kept coming, but the "˜Caps kept them at bay thanks to some fine defensive work from the back four as well as a workmanlike performance from holding midfielder Matias Laba, who did well to limit Federio Higuain's impact on the match. Laba, the Budweiser Man of the Match, had a career-high 11 tackles on Saturday.

Vancouver had several chances on the counter late, including a breakaway from substitute Omar Salgado in the 88th minute. But Salgado, who was making his first MLS appearance since October 2012, chipped his effort mere inches wide.

In the end, Hurtado's first-half marker would be all Whitecaps FC needed to pick up their fourth win of the season.

After a week on the road, the Blue and White return to BC Place on Wednesday for the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semifinal against Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PT.

Vancouver's next MLS match isn't until May 24, when they host rival Seattle Sounders FC in the first Cascadia match of 2014. Tickets for both matches are still available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

It's not too late to participate in the best sporting experience in Vancouver. Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including half-season tickets ($244), 5-packs ($149), student season tickets, and a youth soccer half-season ticket. Single-match tickets start at $22, subject to applicable fees. For more information on all Whitecaps FC ticket options, call 604.669.9283 ext. 2 or visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

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