Whitecaps 4, Earthquakes 1: Berhalter brace powers Vancouver to victory

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VANCOUVER — Sebastian Berhalter scored twice and added an assist as his Vancouver Whitecaps cruised to a 4-1 victory over the visiting San Jose Earthquakes on Sunday.

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The American midfielder sent a shot soaring into the San Jose net from distance in the 74th minute, then repeated the feat in the second minute of stoppage time.

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Rayan Elloumi and Thomas Muller also scored for the ‘Caps (17-6-9), who extended their unbeaten streak to 10 games (6-0-4) across all competitions.

San Jose’s lone goal came from substitute Beau Leroux in the 89th minute.

The Whitecaps controlled 57.3 per cent of possession throughout the game and outshot the Earthquakes 18-8, with a 10-4 edge in on-target chances.

The victory moved the Whitecaps back into second place in the Western Conference with two games left on the regular-season schedule. The Earthquakes (10-15-8) remain two points below the playoff bar with one game to go.

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The visitors had a good chance early in the game off a corner kick in the sixth minute.

Cristian Espinoza swung the ball in and Josef Martinez headed a shot on net, but Vancouver centre back Ralph Priso was on the goal-line to block the attempt.

Muller came within inches in the 12th minute, blasting a shot at the San Jose net from distance. Goalkeeper Daniel de Sousa Britto dove and got a touch on the ball, sending it off the post.

A first-half foul proved costly for the Earthquakes.

Benji Kikanovic hauled down Vancouver midfielder Ali Ahmed just outside the penalty area in the 38th minute, drawing a yellow card.

The ‘Caps made use of the ensuing free kick, with Berhalter swinging it into traffic and Elloumi firing it in past de Soussa Britto to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

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Vancouver took the one-goal cushion into the break after controlling 54.5 per cent of possession across the first half and outshooting San Jose 8-1 with a 3-1 edge in on-target chances.

Muller doubled the advantage in the 57th minute, collecting a pass from Ahmed at the top of the penalty area and launching a right-footed rocket that sailed into the back of the San Jose net to make it 2-0.

The German soccer legend now has six goals since signing with Vancouver in mid August.

Berhalter made it 3-0 in the 74th minute, firing a shot up and over the hands of the diving de Soussa Britto from above the penalty area.

Leroux, who came in for Ronaldo Vieira in the 79th minute, blasted a shot in over Vancouver ‘keeper Yohei Takaoka shortly after entering the game to finally get his side on the scoresheet.

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The goal was reviewed for a possible offside, but stood after a check by the video officials.

Vancouver replied in the second minute of injury time when Berhalter sent yet another long shot flying into the back of the San Jose net to seal the score at 4-1.

NOTES: Whitecaps captain Ryan Gauld came on for Ahmed in the 78th minute, marking his first MLS action since suffering a knee injury on March 8. … A crowd of 25,292 took in the game at B. C. Place. … Vancouver has scored 90 goals across all competitions this season.

UP NEXT

Whitecaps: Visit Orlando City SC on Saturday for their last road game of the regular season.

Earthquakes: Close out the regular season at home on Oct. 18 against Austin FC.

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