Whitecaps thrash Loons

Vancouver Whitecaps 6-0 Minnesota United

VANCOUVER, BC–The Whitecaps were humbled on Thursday night in Concacaf Champions Cup play against Seattle Sounders. On Sunday, they took out their frustrations against Minnesota United in a 6-0 thrashing at BC Place.The Whitecaps maintain their 100% record in league play and it’s also their best ever start in the MLS era.

It all started just eight minutes in when Jeevan Badwal was clattered in the box by Kyle Duncan. Sebastian Berhalter converted the spot kick to put Vancouver ahead. Five minutes later, the lead was doubled as Emmanuel Sabbi flicked on a pass to Brian White who scored from close range.

The misery would continue for the Loons in the 23rd minute when a Berhalter free kick deflected off a defender and off Manuel Laborda before going in to make it 3-0 to the hosts. The Whitecaps could arguable have scored more in the first half and ultimately did two minutes before halftime as Berhalter found an unmarked Emmanuel Sabbi to make it 4-0.

Minnesota would get little respite from the Vancouver onslaught as they would be going to the penalty spot once again in the 54th minute after DJ Taylor fouled AZ in the box. White would take this spot kick and score his 100th career goal as a Whitecap, the first in the MLS ear to do so. Cheik Sabaly would get number six in the 74th minute off a feed from Laborda.

James Rodriguez did make is Minnesota United debut in the 64th minute of this match and managed a pair of shots. Yohei Takaoka made four saves to preserve a clean sheet for the Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps will go to Spokane on Wednesday to try a reverse a 3-0 deficit in the first leg of the Concacaf Champions Cup against the Sounders. Kickoff is at 8pm PT (FuboTV, FS2, ONESoccer, TUDN). League play resumes on Saturday at BC Place against San Jose Earthquakes (7:30pm PT, Apple TV).

Photos by Gerrit te Hennepe