San Jose Earthquakes goalkeeper David Bingham dives to make a save against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half of an MLS soccer match in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 12, 2016.
Advertisement
Forward Simon Dawkins scored in the second half as the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Vancouver Whitecaps 2-1 Friday night for their first-ever Major League Soccer victory in Vancouver.
Amarikwa’s 14th-minute header opened the scoring on Friday night at BC Place before Dawkins doubled the advantage on the hour with a well-struck left-footed effort. This match was big for San Jose as it not only gave them their first road win, San Jose also jumped Vancouver in the Western Conference standings as San Jose now sits in seventh place.
Nicolas Mezquida grabbed a late consolation for Vancouver in stoppage time as their bid to grab salavage a point in front of an expectant home crowd fell short.
It wouldn’t be until 60′ that Simon Dawkins would see the Earthquakes pull ahead 2-0.
Vancouver, meanwhile, have 30 points from their 25 MLS games this term. Taking a pass from Alberto Quintero in the Whitecaps box, he beat Vancouver defender Tim Parker and put a shot just inside the far post from six yards out.
“It’s good, obviously, to get the goal, but the most important thing is the win, considering the position that we are in – and (against) Vancouver”, said Dawkins, who now has three goals on the season. “We give ourselves a little bit of a mountain to climb with the early goal”.
“I thought we played well, broke well and created some good chances”.
Amarikwa headed Anibal Godoy’s corner on target, with the officials ruling the ball had crossed the line, despite appeals from Vancouver players, after Fatai Alashe’s header rattled the crossbar moments earlier. It’s probably going to take 45 to 48 points I believe.
The Quakes are now 1-6-1 all-time in Vancouver.
San Jose’s defense did well in the first half also.
Another problem the Whitecaps face is their home record of 5-3-5 is the worst of any of the teams in playoff contention.
“It’s not become the fortress we’d like”. “We need to change that”. Only one team played with the required passion from the start and that was the visitors, a fact disputed by Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson, who did admit that his side’s performance wasn’t up to the required levels.
“The results will come”.
Advertisement
Robinson hinted he may be doing some lineup shuffling.
