MLS MATCHDAY #6
D.C. UNITED 4 VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 0
SATURDAY, APRIL 9, 2016,
RFK STADIUM, WASHINGTON, D.C.
MATCH REPORTS & ANALYSIS
Report and Reaction: Unstoppable United turn woeful Whitecaps into DC comics – AFTN
Vancouver Whitecaps headed into DC minus the injured Pedro Morales, Christian Bolanos, Octavio Rivero and Nicolas Mezquida, along with the suspended Matias Laba. That wasn’t just a weakening of the team, it was a ravaging of it. Five big impact, senior players missing, but a chance for some formation tinkering and for the fringe players and young guys to step up and try and stake a claim to a starting spot.
D.C. United 4, Whitecaps 0: It was bad, but could have been much worse – Ottawa Citizen
Pick your biggest concern after Saturday’s beatdown in D.C. The Whitecaps still haven’t scored a goal from open play this season, and, more tellingly, didn’t create much at RFK Stadium. They were also exposed defensively in a 4-0 loss that dropped their record to 2-2-2 on the season.
Whitecaps manhandled by D.C. United, suffer 1st loss in 4 starts – CBC
Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio each scored twice to help D.C. United beat Vancouver 4-0 Saturday and snap a six-game winless streak dating to last season.
An Ugly Loss: Whitecaps Fall 4-0 to DC United – Eighty-Six Forever
If you didn’t watch the Vancouver Whitecaps match on Saturday afternoon, believe me when I say you didn’t miss much. The Whitecaps were absolutely manhandled in a 4-0 road loss, the much vaunted depth that was touted in the off-season looking laughable now as the team was unable to replace key players that were lost to injury.
A game to forget: Shorthanded ‘Caps fall 4-0 to D.C. United at RFK Stadium – Whitecaps FC
It was an afternoon to forget for Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio each scored twice to carry D.C. United (1W-2L-3D) to a 4-0 win over the shorthanded ‘Caps (2W-3L-1D) on Saturday at RFK Stadium.
D.C. United ends winless streak with convincing victory over Vancouver – Washington Post
Six weeks had passed without victory — in either international competition or the regular season. So with dusk settling on a winterish Saturday at RFK Stadium and goals flowing at an absurd rate — by its standards, anyway — D.C. United was well within its right to rejoice.
D.C. United enjoys rare offensive outburst in blowout win – Goal
Before Saturday night, it had been nine games in a row across all competitions that D.C. United had failed to score more than one goal in a game.
D.C. United put it all together in win over the Vancouver Whitecaps – Black & Red United
Needing a victory to right the course, United outplayed Vancouver for 90 minutes, with Fabian Espindola and Alvaro Saborio both supplying two goals.
DC United 4, Vancouver Whitecaps 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap – MLS
D.C. United came into the game with probably a little ego bruise, still searching for their first win of the 2016 MLS season. Thankfully for them, forward Fabian Espindola veritably rocketed onto the pitch, streaking up and down without fatigue until he managed one, then another goal.
MATCH PREVIEWS
Preview: ‘Caps head coast-to-coast to face winless D.C. United Saturday at RFK – Whitecaps FC
Another week, another test of depth for Carl Robinson’s side. Two weeks ago, the ‘Caps grinded out a 1-0 win over Houston Dynamo without their starting centre backs. Last week, they lost three players in the first half due to injury and a red card and still managed to hold LA Galaxy to a scoreless draw. Now, they’re off to D.C. without their two-headed midfield monster.
DC United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps | MLS Match Preview – MLS
An intriguing interconference matchup is ahead when D.C. United return home to meet Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Saturday afternoon at RFK Stadium. United are still looking for their first victory in league play this season, pulled back into a 1-1 draw at the San Jose Earthquakes last weekend in northern California. Whitecaps FC have put together a three-game undefeated run after a slow start of their own, reaching a goalless draw with the LA Galaxy last Saturday evening at BC Place.
Preview | United vs. Vancouver Whitecaps – DC United
United, who are 2-2-2 against the Whitecaps overall, are undefeated in their last two matches against the Canadian outfit, the most recent result being a 2-1 win in Vancouver last April, thanks to goals from Bobby Boswell and Chris Rolfe. The Black-and-Red will hope to extend their streak when the two teams face off on Saturday, while also aiming to pick up their first three points of the 2016 campaign.
Match Preview: DC United v Vancouver Whitecaps – Does this have 0-0 written all over it? – AFTN
They’re unbeaten in three, with back to back clean sheets. Can Vancouver Whitecaps continue their good run of form against a struggling, and winless, DC United side? How big an impact will missing DP’s Matias Laba and Pedro Morales have on the match and the ‘Caps line-up? And does this game have 0-0 written all over it?
Whitecaps’ resiliency to be tested on road vs. D.C. – Sportsnet
The Whitecaps, of course, have taken a few losses in the early weeks of the Major League Soccer season. They started the year 0-2, but since then they’ve looked sharper and seem to have found their defensive form.
Match Preview: Whitecaps @ D.C. United – Eighty-Six Forever
The Vancouver Whitecaps are playing away to an Eastern Conference foe for the first time this season, as D.C. United plays host for the teams’ one and only meeting this season. Despite being undefeated in three games, the Whitecaps are looking to leave town with their third win of the season, against a United squad still looking for their first win.
Whitecaps FC-D.C. United Preview – Yahoo Sports
D.C. United extended one of the longest winless starts in franchise history last weekend when it allowed a late goal.
D.C. United v Vancouver Whitecaps FC Preview – Prost Amerika
The Vancouver Whitecaps look to continue their recent success as they hit the road for a match against DC United at RFK stadium in the US capital. In their last three games they have a pair of wins over Seattle and Houston and a draw against the Los Angeles Galaxy. In their last five matches between the two teams, Vancouver has two wins, a loss and a couple of draws against DC United, taking 8 of a possible 10 points.
Match Day: Whitecaps FC travel to D.C. in search of second road win – Van City Buzz
After scraping out a draw against the LA Galaxy last Saturday at BC Place, the Vancouver Whitecaps made the transcontinental trip to Washington where they will look for their second win on the road against D.C. United.
Keys to Victory: 5 things D.C. United needs to do to beat the Vancouver Whitecaps – Black & Red United
For D.C. United, it’s an interesting moment to be playing the Vancouver Whitecaps. They’re missing two key starters, and they aren’t scoring goals from open play. However, United has very recently played a short-handed team that shares some broad similarities with Vancouver, and that ended in a rout. The Black-and-Red badly need things to go better this time around. Here’s what they need to get right to make that happen.
Teibert fully fit, ready to go for Whitecaps after layoff – Sportsnet
For week after week, while the Vancouver Whitecaps trained together, took the field at BC Place together, and headed on the road together, Russell Teibert was on his own.
As refs dominate MLS chatter, Whitecaps won’t alter style ahead of D.C. clash – Metro
Jordan Harvey won’t be changing his style. The same goes for Tim Parker. As controversial refereeing decisions dominated the conversation in Major League Soccer this week, the defenders for the Vancouver Whitecaps — one a veteran of 11-plus professional seasons, the other a second-year player — said the last thing they plan to do is let up on the pitch.
Tally Hall brings goalkeeping experience to D.C. United, but for now, Travis Worra remains the starter – Washington Post
Upon agreeing to a contract with D.C. United last week, MLS veteran goalkeeper Tally Hall joked with Coach Ben Olsen. “I bet you never thought you’d have to sign five goalkeepers.” Olsen shook his head.
Veterans and young talent prevalent in both United and Caps lineups – DC United
D.C. United will have to contend with Vancouver’s in-form defense when they host the Whitecaps at RFK Saturday night. Following a flurry of goals allowed in the first couple weeks of the season, the ‘Caps have conceded just once in the past three matches, and appear to be returning to the defensive level that carried them to a playoff finish in 2015.
Where there’s smoke, D.C. United supporters feel they are under fire – Four Four Two
D.C. United’s hardcore fans are simmering after one of their own received a year-long ban, a sudden spike in longstanding supporter-club tension.