{"id":225434,"date":"2025-09-14T05:52:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-14T05:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/225434\/"},"modified":"2025-09-14T05:52:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-14T05:52:10","slug":"vancouver-whitecaps-7-0-philadelphia-union-the-philly-soccer-page","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/225434\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Whitecaps 7 \u2013 0 Philadelphia Union \u2013 The Philly Soccer Page"},"content":{"rendered":"

Photo courtesy Philadelphia Union Communications<\/p>\n

An upcoming US Open Cup clash meant that the Supporters Shield leaders fielded a much changed lineup away to the Vancouver Whitecaps, with disastrous results. Vancouver entered the game sitting third in the West and in the hunt for a playoff spot. After tonight\u2019s performance, they are definitely well on their way. Andrew Rick started in goal, with a very changed defensive line in front of him. Makhanya missed the game through suspension. Nathan Harriel started in the center with Glesnes, with Westfield taking left back and Bedoya platooning at right back, as he had done successfully against Chicago.<\/p>\n

First half<\/b><\/p>\n

The Whitecaps came out strong from the start, fast\u2013and physical, collecting two yellow cards in the first 15 minutes. The Union looked tentative and struggled to put together passes or to get behind the Vancouver defense. Ali Ahmed for the Whitecaps, had no such problems getting behind the defense, where he repeatedly torched Bedoya down the right, creating spaces in the middle as Glesnes moved wide to assist.<\/p>\n

The first goal for Vancouver came in the 18th minute off a well worked corner from Berhalter that found the head of Laborda and the back of the net. Six minutes later, a cross from Ahmed found Sabbi for the \u2018Caps second goal of the night. By the half, more than half of Vancouver\u2019s attacks would come down the Union\u2019s right side. A cross into the box in 30th minute found Jose Bueno\u2019s arm in an unnatural position, resulting in a penalty kick. Thomas Mueller, 36 years old today, converted to make it 3-0.<\/p>\n

Then, in the 40th minute, a beautiful searching ball from Glesnes found an onrushing Bedoya who crossed to a streaking Mikael Uhre, who slotted it into the net first time\u2013only for the goal to be chalked off by VAR for a hair\u2019s breadth of offside, leaving the visitors goalless. In the 40th minute, Bedoya left a leg out that brought down Ahmed, as he tried to corral him, resulting in a second penalty kick. Mueller converted.<\/p>\n

The half ended with a triple substitution in stoppage time, before the half\u2013Wagner, Baribo and Jean Jacques.<\/p>\n

Second half<\/b><\/p>\n

The second half started much stronger for the Union, with some incisive passing and buildup that led to some early good looks at goal. It looked like the Union might be starting to grow into the game. Until the 61st minute. The threat Mueller carried drew defenders toward the middle, this time leaving Sabbi open on the left to curl in a high, hard shot for Vancouver\u2019s fifth goal and Sabbi\u2019s second on the night. In the 80th minute, it was 6-0, when the 17 year old Rayan Elloumi, with only one previous appearance, headed on a flick from Mueller. In the 88th minute, Thomas Mueller got his hat trick, making it 7-0.<\/p>\n

In the end, it was a disastrous, confused Union performance. The Whitecaps capitalized. Union passing and buildup, except for a few passages early in the second half, were very poor. Marking was poor. Where the Union was predictable, heavy-legged and out of ideas, Vancouver pressed, was dynamic. Let\u2019s hope the memory of this game will enliven the Union for the Tuesday matchup against Nashville in the Open Cup semi-finals.<\/p>\n

Defender Kai Wagner earned his 200th MLS appearance with the Philadelphia Union, and homegrown defender Neil Pierre made his MLS debut.<\/p>\n

\u00a0Three points:<\/b><\/p>\n