MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Morales brace leads 'Caps to victory in 40th anniversary match

Published on May 4, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - That was quite the party.

On a day that Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3W-2L-4D) celebrated the 40th anniversary of their first-ever match, the current incarnation of the "˜Caps held on for a thrilling 3-2 win over San Jose Earthquakes (1W-3L-3D) Saturday afternoon at BC Place.

A dominant first-half performance, in which Whitecaps FC took a 3-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes, carried Vancouver to victory in front of a fifth straight sold-out crowd at BC Place to start the season.

Chilean midfielder Pedro Morales, the Budweiser Man of the Match, and 19-year-old Kekuta Manneh led the way for the Blue and White. Morales scored two goals in less than a minute and Manneh had a goal and an assist, leading Whitecaps FC to their third win of the season. Both players are now tied for the team lead with three goals this season.

Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made three changes to his starting lineup after last weekend's 2-2 draw with Real Salt Lake. Along with Morales, who replaced Kenny Miller, winger Sebastian Fernandez and centre back Jay DeMerit also drew into the starting lineup. Fernandez came in for Russell Teibert, while DeMerit took the spot of Johnny Leveron in Robinson's 4-2-3-1 formation.

There was a buzz in the building from the get go after a special pre-match ceremony saw the inaugural 1974 "˜Caps team honoured and Bob Lenarduzzi inducted into the club's newly launched Ring of Honour.

And the Blue and White kept the buzz going with an inspired start to the match.

Less than two minutes in, a cleared Fernandez cross landed at Morales' feet at the top of the 18-yard box and the Chilean curled a right-footed effort just wide of the goal.

The "˜Caps kept coming though, and eventually opened the scoring in the 10th minute.

The play started with a well-timed tackle from DeMerit in midfield and ended with some magic from Manneh, who hit the near post with a strike from the edge of the box and then put home his own rebound with a side-footed effort off the far post and in.

Manneh's goal kicked off an exciting 10-minute stretch that saw Whitecaps FC find the back of the net three times. And it could have been four, as Quakes goalkeeper Jon Busch did well to turn away a 24-yard Fernandez strike in the 15th minute.

Morales doubled Vancouver's advantage in the 19th minute, slotting home a penalty after Darren Mattocks was taken down in the Quakes box. And less than a minute later, the Chilean found the back of the net again.

This time, after receiving a short pass from Manneh, Morales fired home a heavy strike from 25 yards to give Whitecaps FC a 3-0 lead. This was the first time the 'Caps had scored three goals in the first 20 minutes since joining MLS.

It was a dream start for the Blue and White, who outshot the Quakes 13-3 in the first half alone. San Jose did manage to get one goal back in the 45th minute, as striker Chris Wondolowski coolly finished a penalty after it was deemed that DeMerit fouled Alan Gordon while heading away the ball from danger.

Aside from Wondolowski's late tally, the only hitch for Whitecaps FC in the first half was an injury to Mattocks. The Jamaican left the match with a left hamstring strain in the 30th minute and was replaced by Erik Hurtado.

Hurtado, who nearly finished off a great passing sequence moments after he was subbed on, was very involved for the "˜Caps. In the 54th minute, he made a great run down the centre of the park and broke into the box but Busch was quick off his line to make the save.

To their credit, the visiting "˜Quakes put Whitecaps FC under pressure for a few spells during the second half. Eventually, Wondolowski added his second goal in added time, but a comeback would not be in the cards on this afternoon.

The day started with a celebration of the past and ended with a showcase of the present, as Whitecaps FC came away with a 3-2 win almost 40 years after falling to San Jose in a shootout in their first-ever game.

The "˜Caps are right back at it this Wednesday, May 7, as they travel to Toronto for their first match of the 2014 Amway Canadian Championship. The second leg of the semifinal will take place on May 14 at BC Place. Tickets 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 ($199), and a youth soccer half-season ticket ($100). 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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