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After a suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat to Atlanta United on the road two weeks ago and managing a bore 1-1 draw against the LA Galaxy at home last week, Vancouver returned to its winning ways on the road.
Facing one of the most in-form teams in the league, the Whitecaps went down by a goal early on but managed to fight their way back into the match for a 2-1 result over the Columbus Crew.
How did they do it? The Whitecaps once again sat deep absorbing all the pressure from the Columbus Crew, who had 66 percent ball possession throughout the match. Once the Caps got possession, they quickly broke forward converting two of their three shots on goal.
Brek Shea loves to score on the road
Converting a rebound with a fantastic finish Brek Shea spearheaded Vancouver’s comeback. Being handed his first start of the season by head coach Carl Robinson Shea made the most out of his opportunity.
The comeback initiator 🔥Congrats Brek! #BUDMOTM #VWFC pic.twitter.com/sglLbuPHcC
— Vancouver Whitecaps FC (@WhitecapsFC) March 31, 2018
The attacking midfielder, in fact, is the perfect road warrior for the Whitecaps. Quick and versatile Shea is the target man for long-balls played out of the back. Although a bit one-dimensional his speed makes him perfect for Vancouver’s counter tactics on the road, and it is, therefore no surprise that the former US national team player has scored four out of his six goals for the Whitecaps on the road.
Alphonso Davies is the difference maker once again
With the score 1-1 and Columbus pressing Robinson brought on the 17-year-old Alphonso Davies in the 67th minute. The teenager appeared to make an immediate impact when he scored an unbelievable goal in the 70th minute after a solo effort that saw him slaloming through the entire Columbus defence. The goal was then ruled off after the referee reviewed the play determining that Davies had played the ball with his hand.
But Davies was not distraught with the decision at all, and eight minutes later he won a ball deep in Columbus’ half, then set up Felipe, who crossed the ball into the box where Kei Kamara scored the game-winner for the Whitecaps. Davies then contributed on both ends of the pitch winning key battles in the defensive zone while also keeping the Crew’s defenders on their toes with threatening runs in the attacking end.