April 2, 2023 – Major League Soccer (MLS) – Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC won 5-0 at BC Place for the second time this season, defeating Canadian rivals CF Montréal on Saturday night.
DOWNLOAD: Post-match interviews
Just 24 days ago, the ‘Caps also earned an emphatic 5-0 home victory at BC Place, defeating Real C.D. España by the same scoreline in their first match of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League. The Blue & White will now look to carry that momentum into the next round of the Champions League when they host defending MLS Cup champions LAFC in the first leg of the quarterfinals back at BC Place this coming Wednesday, April 5.
TICKETS: Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals vs. LAFC this Wednesday, April 5
The first big chance of the opening half came when midfielder Julian Gressel’s direct free kick attempt struck the post in the 19th minute of the match.
In the 23rd minute striker Simon Becher, who was making his first MLS start, broke in behind centre back Rudy Camacho, forcing him to pull him down at the top of the box, which resulted in a red card.
As the ‘Caps continued the half up by a man, Javain Brown would win the ball back in Montreal’s half. His through pass sent Simon Becher on a counter attack, and a quick play inside the box would then connect to Brian White, as the forward opened the scoring in the 38th minute.
The home side continued piling on opportunities, tying a team record with 20 shots in a half. In the 43rd minute, midfielder Ali Ahmed, who was also making his first MLS start, darted into the box and hit a quick pass to Becher inside the box. His sneaky, low shot then doubled his squad’s lead in the 43rd minute of the match. The tally made him the first ‘Caps player in the MLS era to score in each of his first four competitive appearances, counting his goal at Real C.D. España in the Concacaf Champions League.
Moments later, a White effort following a counter was saved by Montreal’s Jonathan Sirois, but Gressel was there to convert the rebound right before the halftime interval to make it 3-0.
As the second half started, White battled for the ball in Montreal’s box before it would find its way to Ahmed, who would then find the back of the net for his first MLS goal in the 48th minute of the match.
It would be a record-breaking night for Becher. In the 59th minute, he would grab a brace with a deft deflection to make it 5-0 in the 59th minute. His fourth MLS goal made him the…
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