By Aaron Campbell, (Twitter:@AaCamp81)
Whitecaps Beat Reporter
32′ GOAL All eyes were on Rivero as he looked to break from halfway. Ethan White’s crunching tackle spits the ball to Techera who spoons a pass to the onrushing Morales to lift over the keeper.
Starters:
Ousted 8.0
A MLS save of the year candidate in the 27th minute off Andrew Wenger brought the crowd to its feet and seemed to light a fire under the Whitecaps player on the pitch. This was his 6th clean sheet in his 11th game this season. Putting him on pace for 18 this season, which would shatter his MLS record he got last season.
Parker 7.0
With Steven Beitashour injured and Ethan Sampson struggling with MLS competition this season, MLS rookie Parker got the call from Carl Robinson and stepped up and filled in nicely. Didn’t do too much and made sure he wasn’t caught out of position on the pitch. Hopefully he is given a chance to build on this outing against FC Edmonton on Wednesday.
Waston 8.0
Another game for the big Tico and another game where he dominated the inside of the box over and over again. Gave up no space to the Union forwards and won every battle in the air. Had to be restrained late in the game after a Union player said something to him but Kah was there to pull him away and let him calm down.
Kah 7.0
First game in a long time where Kah didn’t make that one mistake that he seemed to make game in and game out. Lets hope he can build on this outing and not be the defensive liability moving forward.
Harvey 7.0
With Robinson wanting to start Sam Adekugbe on Wednesday in the Amway Canadian Championship, Jordan Harvey got the start in the game. Even though he hasn’t played much this season Harvey is always solid on the pitch. It shows the great depth that Robinson has on this squad and it makes the team not drop a beat at all no matter who gets the start.
Laba 7.5
Looked refreshed on the pitch and he should be with having last weekend off versus Portland due to a silly red card. Shut down the middle of the pitch and didn’t let the Union players start there attack up the middle. He pushed them up the wings where they could only cross the ball in and Ousted is dominate on all crosses into his box.
Teibert 6.0
He wasn’t bad on the pitch but he was probably the worst out of all his teammates. Felt he could of showed a lot more on the times he jumped up into the offensive flow of the game. When you are partnering with Laba you have to know if you make a mistake on a run he has you covered. You can’t hesitate on your runs and it seemed to me that Teibert did.
Roslaes 6.0
Only lasted 12 minutes on the pitch after pulling a niggle with a quad pull. Of his 12 minutes wasn’t able to get into the flow of the game.
Morales 8.0
A great game and bounce back from last game for the Whitecaps captain. Was able to score a great goal by making a perfect run staying onside from a Techera pass. With all his easy misses this season it was nice to see him hit the back of the net when he should have. Had a great assist with a running on pass to Mattocks who was able to find the goal.
Manneh 6.0
Struggled a bit like Teibert did but overall wasn’t horrible on the pitch. Made very few runs down the wing that generated anything offensively. With Mattocks heating up and Techera waiting in the wing Manneh needs to be better to keep his starting spot on the pitch.
Rivero 7.5
A great shoulder barge on the goal to knock the Union player down to get the ball and score the easiest goal he has had since joining the Whitecaps. It was his first goal in 4 games and his 6th of the season. Other then that he showed his great hold up play and was active all over the field.
Subs:
78′ RED Richie Marquez received a late sending off. His late challenge on Techera was deemed over the top.
Techera 7.5
Came in for Rosales in the 12th minute and was able to get into the game and put his stamp on it. Made a great pass to Morales to set up his goal earning his first assist in MLS. Was able to earn a red card on Marquez to give the Whitecaps the space needed on the pitch to make sure they would walk away with the three points from this game.
Mattocks 7.5
Was able to grab his 3rd goal of the season with a Messi like run at the defender. Should great poise and moves to turn the defender around and was able to slot the ball into the far left corner of the net. Could of had a goal a few minutes earlier but just missed the goal on the cheeky chip.
Earnshaw 6.0
Was a late sub but was able to get a run that should let him start Wednesday versus FC Edmonton.
