Party crashing Whitecaps give Timbers a rough opening to honeymoon

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The Vancouver Whitecaps took on rivals Portland Timbers in Providence Park on an early Sunday kickoff. Portland were looking to vanquish nightmares from last season as the ‘Caps cut down the Timbers in a horrific 5-0 massacre. The TA was in full swing, with a class tifo as always.

(credit to aftncanada on X)

Jesper Sorensen went for a 4-3-3 on his MLS managerial debut. This was similar as to what we saw at the end of last season, with Vanni Sartini lining up a 4-3-2-1 for the wild card and all three games against LAFC.

In the early minutes, Vancouver were causing a bit of a splash on the Timbers, yet were kept at bay. In the 11th minute, a lobbed ball from Andres Cubas led to Ryan Gauld sending Brian White on a through ball with an amazing flick, leaving only Kamal Miller to chase after White. Miller would foul Brian on the edge of the box, White would get up and Miller would foul again, this time in the box. Victor Rivas would give a red card on the basis of a DOGSO challenge, and resulted in a free kick for Vancouver.

The momentum swung heavily in Vancouver’s favour, with the Caps sending downpours of attacks on the wet pitch. Vancouver was very press resistant, and vice versa, pressured and pressed the Timbers multiple times leading to dangerous giveaways. The breakthrough would come in the 24th minute when Jayden Nelson would slide the ball to Ryan Gauld near the penalty spot where Gauld tapped it first time past Crépeau and into the net.

Things would only get worse for the Timbers as they lacked any real attacking guile. The Whitecaps would double their lead in the 32 minute with a banger from Pedro Vite from outside the box. Jayden Nelson and Pedro combined for a 1-2 where Vite gave a pass to Nelson, Nelson gave a quick pass back to Vite who had now made the run towards the corner of the box, who took a touch and hit it as it sailed past Maxime in a ruthless strike.

Halftime arrived and Portland needed something quick. Felipe Mora had already come off in the 37th minute for Eric Miller, and just before the second half, David Ayala would come off for debutante David da Costa, as the Timbers hoped he could be a suitable replacement for Evander. Da Costa shined in the early minutes of the second half, starting up an attack that led to Portland’s first shot on target all game.

Unfortunately, the hope was short lived as when taking a corner in the 53rd minute, Pedro Vite made a defensive handball on the edge of Vancouvers box, and in a controversial decision, play went on as Vancouver launched a counter attack, Nelson zoomed past his marker, and slid in Sam Adekugbe for the tap in to make it 3-0. Listen, I know many Timbers fans are rightfully upset about this and as a Whitecaps fan, one who is very deluded (every year I think we will actually win the MLS Cup with full confidence) even I can admit that should’ve been called back. Yet anyway, the goal stood as jeers and boos rained form around Providence. It was now basically a 12v10 and Portland lost all hope.

Vancouver made it 4-0 soon after in the 61st minute due to Jayden Nelson once again splitting open up the Timbers defence, making two defenders look stupid as he slotted a low driven effort past a bumbling Crépeau.

Portland would get one back in the 73rd minute through Antony’s tap in, but it was just a consultation at this point. The Timbers would try a little more, but were unsuccessful in getting any more chances.

So that’s how it ended. 4-1. Haunting memories from the wildcard seeped back in after another embarrassing loss. At least it wasn’t five, right?