Vancouver Whitecaps: Three Key Takeaways vs. LA Galaxy

Three Takeaways

1) Dominant performance from Techera

Matías Laba got the man of the match award for his two goals, but Cristian Techera put in one of his best performances in a Whitecaps jersey. Officially deployed on the left wing in place of the departed Manneh and the suspended Shea, the Bug seemed to cover most of the field.

He scored the first goal and played a part in the second and third. He also had a couple of good opportunities to score more. If Techera can fully recapture his 2015 form, Manneh may not be missed at all.

2) The Montero-Bolaños connection

Christian Bolaños continues to show his importance to this team. In the absence of other options, he played behind Montero in the #10 role, rather than in his preferred position on the wing. Despite not being as accustomed to playing centrally, Bolaños struck up a good understanding with Montero in the second half.

3) Laba and central midfield

The Whitecaps’ central midfield has been frequently criticized this year for being a black hole where possession dies. This match saw a much better performance, particularly once Tchani came on.

Robinson billed Tchani as a box-to-box midfielder that could bring the ball forward, but that wasn’t how it played out on Saturday. Instead, it turned into the Matías Laba Show. Tchani freed up Laba to maraud forward at will and get into the box, with two goals the end result.

Increased forward movement from the central midfield combined with much more fluid passing among the front four of Techera, Davies, Bolaños, and Montero meant that the Whitecaps actually looked dangerous going forward in the second half. That being said, better decision-making from Diop would have made it a very different game.

Next: Whitecaps and Columbus Exchange Manneh and Tchani

Can the Whitecaps pull off ‘Mission Impossible’ on Wednesday? Leave us your thoughts in the comment box below.