The Vancouver Whitecaps’ search for their first win continues Saturday when fellow Canadian foes CF Montreal visit following a bye week.
Vancouver (0-2-3, 3 points) has drawn each of its last three matches. The most recent came in dramatic fashion, when substitute Simon Becher scored in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time to salvage a 1-1 draw at Minnesota United.
While Minnesota was frustrated by the length of stoppage time, Vancouver was clearly the better side in the second half.
It’s been a recurring theme for manager Vanni Sartini’s squad, which is winless despite analytical numbers that show their chances created so far are better than their chances conceded.
“It’s kind of a (double-edged sword),” Sartini said this week, “in the sense that I’m very happy because it means that we are playing well. But at the same time, it’s also, ‘OK, so what can we do more to get this win?'”
The simplest answer would be more goals from Vancouver’s strikers. Neither Brian White nor Sergio Cordova has scored so far this season. Cordova scored nine goals a season ago with Salt Lake while White had 12 for Vancouver in 2021.
Montreal (1-3-0, 3 points) had a week off following their dramatic first win of the year, 3-2 over the defending Eastern Conference champion Philadelphia Union on March 18.
Romell Quioto scored twice, including the decider — also in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time.
In between, Chinonso Offor leveled the game in the 90th minute with a goal that was originally overturned via video review, then allowed again following a look at another camera angle that clearly showed the play was onside.
Montreal has conceded seven total goals and at least one in all four of its matches under new manager Hernan Losada. But the recent return of center back Joel Waterman should help. He missed the first two games to injury but has played the full 90 minutes in the last two and this week signed a contract extension.
“I’m really excited to be signing a new deal with the club who believed in me from the beginning,” the 27-year-old Waterman said in a statement. “I have enjoyed the last three years here and will continue to do so.”
–Field Level Media
