Positive Night For Impact As Whitecaps Rediscover Goal Touch

The Vancouver Whitecaps side looks much better out west than they did recently over in the East.

Three insipid, sterile outings in Toronto and Montreal since MLS’ latest resumption were put behind them as they blasted three past Toronto FC, who appear now to be wobbling after a steam-rolling start to the series involving Canadian clubs.

Lucas Cavallini picked a great time to notch his first Whitecaps goal somewhat against the run of play on 17 minutes.

Toronto dominated, enjoyed 66% possession and Hasal was clearly the busier of the ‘keepers, but at the conclusion was beaten only twice, Quentin Westberg three times.

Three times Vancouver took the lead and twice they were pegged back, the second TFC equalizer showing that Piatti and Pozuelo actually can get their timing right as they combined to level matters.

But when Caps substitute Jake Nerwinski latched onto Andy Rose’s pull-back he slotted decisively past a Toronto defence intent on illustrating the true meaning of ‘static’.

This time the home side did hold on for victory, despite Toronto’s late onslaught.

This means a victory for the Impact on Wednesday over their old rivals can set up a second successive Canadian Championship final, provided the Impact can garner at least a point from their last two fixtures in the series against Vancouver at BC Place.

It would also see Impact climb to within two points of Toronto with two games less played in the Eastern Conference standings. What a difference a week makes, after Thierry Henry (not unreasonably) identified Toronto, 18 regular season games unbeaten, as the team to beat in the East.

Of course Impact fans should not get too far ahead of themselves just yet. There’s a lot of football to be played before the desired scenario becomes reality, but last night’s result certainly sets up a huge meeting of the rivals. It should not be forgotten either that Montreal’s road form is rarely stellar, so the games out west will be far from easy either.