Whitecaps Win Again in Pre-Season, 2-0 Over Portland

The Vancouver Whitecaps topped the Portland Timbers 2-0 in Pre-Season action Wednesday night, evening their record to 1-1 at the Simple Invitational, and 4-1 overall in pre-season play.

The 'Caps went with a mixture of youth and experience in their starting 11; Paulo Tornaghi took a turn in net, while the backline featured Jordan Smith, Tim Parker, Pa-Modou Kah and Jordan Harvey. Rolling out a 4-2-3-1 formation, Kianz Froese joined Pedro Morales in mid, with Alphonso Davies, Marco Bustos and Kekuta Manneh above them. Finally, Blas Perez took the lone striker position up top.

It would be the veteran Perez opening the scoring in the 38th minute, as Pedro Morales took a corner that Jordan Harvey headed over to Perez at the back post. Perez, who the Whitecaps hope will provide production and leadership this season, made no mistake in striking home his first goal in a Whitecaps kit.

In the 73rd minute, the Whtiecaps would double their lead thanks to substitute Octavio Rivero, and a brilliant strike. Rivero took a quick pass from fellow substitute Cristian Techera as they charged up the pitch, cut to the middle, and unleashed a curling left shot that found the back of the net. It was a skillful goal from Rivero, and hopefully a sign of things to come in the regular season.

It was a lead the Whitecaps would never relinquish, as they head into their pre-season finale on a winning note. The 'Caps will take on Minnesota United of the NASL on Saturday at BC Place.