Armstrong Scores as Whitecaps Knock Off Quakes

Vancouver Whitecaps 2-0 San Jose Earthquakes

VANCOUVER, BC–Stuart Armstrong scored his first goal as a member of the Whitecaps as they defeated bottom-side San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, at BC Place on Saturday. The win keeps Vancouver in fifth, two points behind Colorado and Real Salt Lake, but with a match in hand. The Quakes became the first team officially eliminated from playoff contention their 13th of their last 16 league matches.

Vancouver had several players returning from international duty, and it showed on this night. Vancouver pressed from the start and were rewarded in the 34th minute as Fafa Picault headed in a corner from Ryan Gauld. Picault nearly got a second in the 50th minute, but his header went off the bar. Daniel kept things close for the Quakes making nine saves on the evening. The Quakes would only get two shots on goal in contrast and a Ousseni Bouda goal disallowed for offside.

However, on a night where the Whitecaps outshot the Quakes 19-5, the second goal came in the 86th minute as Armstrong scored from 12 yards out.

The Whitecaps travel to Houston to play the Dynamo on Wednesday (5:30pm PT, Apple TV) while the Quakes begin to play out the string at Seattle on Wednesday (7:30pm PT, Apple TV).

For more of Gerrit te Hennepe’s photos from the evening at BC Place, please click on the link to his gallery.