Whitecaps Crowned Kings of Cascadia with 4-1 win over Timbers

The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated the Portland Timbers 4-1 in the final game of the MLS regular season. The Timbers were eliminated from the MLS playoffs as the Whitecaps won the Cascadia Cup.

It was Fan Appreciation Day at BC Place on Sunday, and Vancouver Whitecaps fans will have appreciated the show they got. After a season of a few highs and a lot of lows, everything finally clicked for the Whitecaps offensively as they demolished the Portland Timbers 4-1 and took home their sixth Cascadia Cup.

Vancouver entered the game needing a three-goal win to lift the Cascadia Cup. The fan-created trophy rewards the season’s best performer in games between Whitecaps, Timbers, and the Seattle Sounders. A chance to exact revenge on Portland for last season’s MLS playoff elimination provided an extra incentive. All week long, coach Carl Robinson and the Vancouver players promised they would be up for it. They started the match as if they meant to keep that promise.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

First Half

The first 45 minutes were the Giles Barnes Show. Robinson lined his team up in a 4-4-2 that was practically a 4-2-4 at times. Barnes, Mezquida, Hurtado, and Bolaños, all players that like to run at defenders with the ball at their feed, made up a very mobile front four. Barnes opened the scoring the 13th minute, lashing a Fraser Aird cross into the top right corner of the net for his first goal in a Whitecaps jersey:

The Whitecaps rode their luck as Lucas Melano missed an incredible chance to tap the ball into an empty net after Fanendo Adi hit the post:

Then Barnes doubled the lead for the Whitecaps after winning the ball back from Alvas Powell, dribbling into the penalty area, and stroking the ball into the far corner past Jake Gleeson:

The first half also saw some typical derby-day shenanigans as Kendall Waston and Adi repeatedly tussled. Both players picked up yellow cards on separate occasions in the first half.

Second Half

It took less than ten minutes for the Whitecaps to double their lead. First, captain Pedro Morales put a spectacular strike into the top corner. Morales has endured a troubled season, culminating in a red card against Seattle two games ago and a clash with goalkeeper David Ousted last week after the goalkeeper questioned his commitment. You could tell how much this goal mean to Morales, who picked up a yellow card for ripping off his jersey during an overly exuberant celebration. A minute later, Mezquida stayed on his feet under pressure in the penalty area and slotted past Gleeson for the insurance goal.

The Whitecaps needed that insurance. Diego Valeri scored from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute to pull it back to 4-1, and the Whitecaps ended up hanging on for the last 20 minutes. Andrew Jacobson came on to shore up the midfield. Blas Pérez came on to throw his weight around and irritate the Timbers defense. Brett Levis was the final substitution, making his MLS debut.

Finally Alan Kelly blew the whistle, closing the curtain on both teams’ seasons. The Cascadia Cup win was a much-needed positive note to end the season for the Whitecaps. Obvious squad deficiencies will need to be addressed before the CONCACAF Champions League date with the New York Red Bulls in February. But for now, Whitecaps fans were able to enjoy one final sunny evening at BC Place in 2016.

Match Details

Final Score: Vancouver Whitecaps 4-1 Portland Timbers

Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ousted; Fraser Aird, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Pedro Morales, Matías Laba, Cristian Bolaños (Blas Pérez 87′), Giles Barnes (Brett Levis 84′); Nicolás Mezquida (Andrew Jacobson 74′), Erik Hurtado. Coach: Carl Robinson.

Portland Timbers: Jake Gleeson; Alvas Powell, Steven Taylor, Jermaine Taylor (Gbenga Arokoyo 67′), Vytautas Adriuskevicius; Jack Jewsbury, Darlington Nagbe, Lucas Melano (Jack Barmby 46′), Diego Valeri, Darren Mattocks (Jack McInerney 82′); Fanendo Adi. Coach: Caleb Porter.

Bookings: Waston 26′, Morales 54′ (VAN); Adi 37′ (POR)

Goals: 1-0 Barnes 13′, 2-0 Barnes 32′, 3-0 Morales 54′, 4-0 Mezquida 55′, 4-1 Valeri 72′ (PK)

Referee: Alan Kelly