On a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Centennial Stadium in Victoria, Vancouver Whitecaps FC were in fine form as they earned a 6-0 victory over the University of Victoria Vikes as they continue their preseason preparations. Pedro Morales, Octavio Rivero, and Marco Bustos paced the attack with a goal and an assist each.
Head coach Carl Robinson started a strong lineup, with only three weeks until Whitecaps FC kick off their 2015 MLS season against Toronto FC at BC Place. William Hill, widely considered to be the world’s best football betting website, does not have the Whitecaps favored to win the MLS Cup or even reach the postseason. It could be a challenging season in Vancouver.
The backline consisted of Steven Beitashour, Kendall Waston, Diego Rodriguez, and Sam Adekugbe. The midfield saw Matias Laba and Russell Teibert in the holding positions, with Morales as attacking mid, Erik Hurtado on right wing, and Bustos on left wing. Newcomer Rivero started at striker.
Morales opened the scoring in the third minute. After Adekugbe was taken down on the left flank, the Chilean stepped up and slipped the ensuing free kick inside the near post.
Four minutes later it was 2-0. Beitashour crossed from the right touchline and the UVic clearance fell to an unmarked Teibert who calmy place the ball into the bottom corner.
It was another Canadian who scored on 19 minutes. A great ball from Rivero found Bustos in the box, who then skillfully juggled over the head of the defender and smashed the ball into the net for a 3-0 lead.
Rivero then scored his own on 28 minutes. Morales sent in the Uruguayan on a partial break before Rivero’s shot was stopped by UVic goalkeeper Noah Pawlowski, but an unfortunate bounce for the Vikes saw the ball drop and spin into the top corner to make it 4-0.
At halftime, Ethen Sampson subbed on for Beitashour while Kianz Froese came on for Hurtado
It was a centre back who got the first goal of the second half. Centre back Rodriguez was up field as Bustos crossed the ball in, lunging and redirecting it into the net.
On 65 minutes a series of subs came on for Whitecaps FC. Jackson Farmer came in at right back, with Tim Parker and Christian Dean on at centre back. Residency grads Ben McKendry and Mitch Piraux played holding mid, with trialist Robert Earnshaw stepping in at centre back and Canadian Caleb Clarke at striker.
It was two Residency grads who combined on the final goal. Clarke received the ball on the left flank and whipped in a great cross. Froese then rose high in the air to send a powerful header into the back of the net, putting the final touch on a 6-0 win.
The ‘Caps now return to Vancouver for a few days of training before heading to Portland, Oregon for the Simple Invitational tournament. All matches from the Simple Invitational will be streamed at whitecapsfc.com.
