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Vancouver Whitecaps – Recap and Takeaways vs. San Jose Earthquakes

By Gareth Wolff

Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anibal Godoy (30) on his knees surrounded by teammates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half at Avaya Stadium. The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Anibal Godoy (30) on his knees surrounded by teammates after scoring a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half at Avaya Stadium. The San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Referee Drew Fischer issues a red card to Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted (1) after a play against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Referee Drew Fischer issues a red card to Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted (1) after a play against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Takeaways

  1. San Jose still dominant at home: the Earthquakes are two for two at home to start the season, and are looking like a much improved side compared to the team that missed the playoffs last year. Godoy and Lima have the been the standout performers so far. The challenge will be replicating this form in away matches. Last year, the Quakes won only once away.
  2. Mistakes key for Whitecaps: The turning point of the match was marked by a series of errors by the Caps. A miscommunication from Waston and Dean allowed Wondolowski to run through on goal. Ousted mistimed his rush out of the area and ended up earning himself a red card. These are the kinds of defensive blunders that cost Vancouver a playoff spot last year, and it’s concerning to see them happening again. Even the coach’s reaction to the sending off was a mistake. Without Mezquida, the Caps had nothing going forward. Robinson admitted in the post-game conference that he would have taken back the Mezquida sub if he could.
  3. Vancouver have eye on Tigres: In case it wasn’t obvious with the five changes, winning this match was not the priority for Robinson. Vancouver face Tigres in Monterrey on Tuesday, in the CCL semifinal first leg. Alphonso Davies and Brek Shea will likely start on Tuesday, given they were left out of the squad entirely yesterday. Bolaños and Montero both got a brief runout, likely to build fitness for Tuesday. Nevertheless, Robinson will be disappointed to lose this match after his team’s excellent start.

Next Week

San Jose finally have to leave home comforts behind. The Earthquakes travel to Kansas City to face Sporting KC. Meanwhile the Whitecaps, sans Ousted, will entertain Toronto FC at BC Place in a rematch of last year’s Canadian Championship final. But before that, there’s the small matter of a trip to Monterrey and a CONCACAF Champions League semifinal.

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