Vancouver Whitecaps defeated Seattle Sounders 3-0 before its home fans at BC Place, maintained top spot in Western Conference, and also regained top spot overall in MLS standings, the Supporters' Shield. The team also extended its unbeaten streak in the league to 11, affirming the strong form it has been showing this campaign.
The match also pulled a record home gate this term at the stadium: a record 24,276 supporters saw the Whitecaps dominance of Cascadia rivalry and three points.
They began reasonably well, but Vancouver was sharper
The two sides began on level terms, with an initiative gradually developing with the Whitecaps. Seattle countered with an early threat on a volley from Cristian Roldán, one not even making it as wide as the sideline. The Whitecaps replied with a series of swift forays, probing into the other end's territory. Ocampo, Sabbi, and Ríos all created quality chances within those initial 15 minutes, with Sounders' rearguard working tirelessly to preserve the deadlock.
Vancouver gained ascendency with the passing minutes. In minute 40, following a sequence of pressure moments in the final one-third, Ocampo was given the ball on the flank. He sent a low cross into the box, where it was deflected off JC Ngando, and Jeevan Badwal was there to seal.
Red cards don't provide Sounders with an answer
Seattle Sounders were struggling to get into it, and things only went from bad to worse after half-time. Nouhou was sent off six minutes into the second half for pulling back Mathías Laborda, who had raced past him and was making a break for goal. Direct red was the right call. The numerical disadvantage made a difference, and the Whitecaps began controlling possession more.
A second Sounders' player was red-carded in minute 55. Jon Bell was culpable of a foul on Emmanuel Sabbi for a tackle in a situation that could have created a clear opportunity for a goal. Two players down, the visiting side was more vulnerable than ever.
Whitecaps continue on and advance through
The 70th minute saw the second goal. Ríos had an outside chance with a chance to shoot, a strong one, with no possibility for Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei as the ball burst into the side netting.
In spite of the one-man and numerical disadvantage, the Whitecaps kept going forward. Ocampo was just short on making it 3-0 with an acrobatic volley inside the box from a cross from Laborda, forcing Frei into a struggle to make a difficult save. Later on, Ralph Priso delivered a one-time effort from outside the box, with it hitting just below the crossbar, requiring a diving effort from Frei.
The Whitecaps persisted in a push in the last ten minutes with Ocampo and Sabbi. Sabbi earned a penalty in the 87th. Ocampo took it and easily rolled it past the keeper, in the wrong direction, and it was 3-0. And it was what allowed the Whitecaps to maintain their pursuit at the top of the table without conceding and earn a deserved three points.