‘Caps finish homestand on winning note behind strong team effort

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC wrapped up their homestand in style on Wednesday evening, defeating Montreal Impact 3-1 in yet another tense and high-scoring meeting between the Canadian rivals at BC Place.

Winners of two of their last three outings, the ‘Caps also spoiled Montreal’s bid to punch their ticket to the 2020 Canadian Championship Final with the victory.

The ‘Caps hit the ground running as the squad stood strong defensively against a hungry Montreal side. For the majority of the first half, Vancouver limited a pressing Montreal attack and was able to out possess and outduel the Impact while creating some chances of their own. Thomas Hasal had himself a day with a total of three saves by the fulltime whistle.

Things took a turn in a hurry after a red card to Montreal’s Rudy Camacho in the 37th minute after striking at Fredy Montero’s knee within the penalty area. Montero stepped up and slotted home a crucial penalty, sending Clément Diop the wrong way and putting Vancouver up 1-0 in the 41st minute. Taking advantage of their extra man, Vancouver put together a string of nifty passes in the 44th minute to allow Cristian Dájome to gather the ball on the edge of the box and send it sailing into the back of the net off the fingers of an outstretched Diop to extend the ‘Caps lead to 2-0 at the half.

While the Impact would respond with a Romell Quioto point-blank goal in front of Hasal in the 70th minute, Whitecaps FC stood tall for the remainder of the second half. As the half rolled on, the ‘Caps sealed their victory with a clever exchange between Leonard Owusu and Montero play, resulting in a Montero strike off the post and into the back of the net, putting Vancouver up 3-1 in the 78th minute. Vancouver’s solid victory was confirmed by their 89% passing accuracy, 13 total shots and plethora of chances created.

The ‘Caps now head out on the road beginning with a visit to Real Salt Lake on Saturday, September 19. Kickoff at Rio Tinto Stadium is at 6:30 p.m. PT live on TSN and TSN Radio 1040.

MATCH DETAILS

VWFC Man of the Match: Fredy Montero
Referee: Drew Fischer

Scoring Summary
41’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (penalty kick)
44’ – VAN – Cristian Dájome (David Milinković, Fredy Montero)
70’ – MTL – Rommell Quioto (Saphir Taider, Victory Wanyama)
78’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (Leonard Owusu)

Statistics
Possession: VAN 52% – MTL 48%
Shots: VAN 13 – MTL 13
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – MTL 4
Saves: VAN 3 – MTL 2
Fouls: VAN 8 – MTL 13
Offsides: VAN 3 – MTL 2
Corners: VAN 3 – MTL 3

Cautions
31’ – VAN – Ranko Veselinović
45’+1′ – MTL – Samuel Piette

Ejection 
37’ – MTL – Rudy Camacho

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
51.Thomas Hasal; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Ranko Veselinović, 13.Derek Cornelius, 3.Cristián Gutiérrez; 19.Janio Bikel (55.Michael Baldisimo HT), 31.Russell Teibert ©; 14.Theo Bair (17.Leonard Owusu 62′), 7.David Milinković (53.Ali Adnan 73′), 11.Cristian Dájome (29.Yordy Reyna 89′); 12.Fredy Montero (87.Tosaint Ricketts 89′)

Substitutes not used
1.Bryan Meredith, 15.Andy Rose, 22.Érik Godoy, 27.Ryan Raposo

Montreal Impact
23.Clément Diop; 15.Zachary Brault-Guillard, 4.Rudy Camacho, 5.Luis Binks, 22.Jukka Raitala ©; 2.Victor Wanyama, 28.Shamit Shome (7.Rod Fanni 43′); 6.Samuel Piette (9.Bojan 78′), 8.Saphir Taider, 18.Orji Okwonkwo (21.Lassi Lappalainen 79′); 30.Rommell Quioto

Substitutes not used
1.Evan Bush, 14.Amar Sejdic, 16.Joel Waterman, 24.Karifa Yao, 26.Jorge Corrales, 27.Clément Bayiha