Whitecaps pepper Penedo, find two goals, move into top spot in the West, all in a days work
Photos by John May
Captions by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Vancouver continually attempted to spray long balls over the top of the Galaxy defense. Omar Gonzalez was having none of it in the first half.
11′ A sweeping move started with Rivero and ended with Morales turning on a dime and shooting straight into the arms of Penedo.
41′ Kah inexplicably choked up possession at halfway, fortunately Russell Teibert was on his toes to slow the Gyasi Zardes’ progress.
Adekugbe did a good job of keeping Ishizaki quiet. Despite getting nut-megged in the fist half by the Swede, the youngster used his pace to win the ball back.
56′ Kekuta Manneh racked up 7 shots in this one. Finally his goal came when Morales put him one-on-one with Meyer. Fresh back from suspension he struck a well placed shot under the keeper.
A nice touch from Manneh as he sparks the celebrations for soon-to-be dad Jordan Harvey.
Robbie Keane cut a frustrated figure throughout. The endless energy of Russell Teibert made it difficult for the Irishman to find any room in the final third.
66′ Octavio Rivero bangs home his 4th goal of the season from close range. Nico Mezquida setting up his fellow Uruguayan with an excellent cutback that Penedo had to push into his path.
73′ Man of the Match Mezquida shows off a couple of party tricks before unleashing a vicious strike at goal. Mezquida’s license to roam allowed him to flourish alongside Morales and Rivero.
81′ Substitute Darren Mattocks once again proved he is superb at running in a straight line as he took the ball from halfway and ran it over the end line, forgetting a shot has to come at some point.
Jaime Penedo hasn’t been a regular starter so far this year but dealt well with the barrage in the closing stages that could have seen the ‘Caps run away four or five goal winners.
