Philadelphia Union 4, Vancouver Whitecaps FC 0 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

Dave Zeitlin

Vancouver Whitecaps FC went into the World Cup break unbeaten in their last six, but the Philadelphia Union made sure to end that streak in decisive fashion.

Borek Dockal recorded his first MLS brace, Ilsinho and Fafa Picault added penalty-kick goals and the Union rolled to a 4-0 rout of Vancouver on Saturday at Talen Energy Stadium.

Dockal scored goals in the first and second half, before Vancouver’s Jose Aja was whistled for a penalty and shown a 72nd-minute red card for taking down second-half sub Cory Burke in the box.

Ilsinho hit the ensuing PK and Picault tacked on his deep in stoppage time after Yordy Reyna was shown his second yellow card and ejected. The Union, who snapped a two-game losing skid in league play, outshot Vancouver by a 25-2 margin.

At halftime, Union icon Sebastien Le Toux was inducted as the first member into the club’s ring of honor, the fans in attendance roaring in delight as video montages were shown to commemorate the Frenchman who retired earlier this year.

Goals

24' — PHI — Borek Dockal | WATCH
71' — PHI — Borek Dockal | WATCH
74' — PHI — Ilsinho | WATCH
90'+5' — PHI — Fafa Picault | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: The win was an impressive one for the Union, who got a complete team effort to, at least for the time being, move above the playoff line in the East. In the big picture, a dud for the Whitecaps on the other side of the continent might not be the worst thing, although looking at the final boxscore might make them shudder.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Dockal’s first goal proved to be the winner but his second one best showcased his skills as he sliced through defenders at the edge of the box in the 71st minute to essentially put the game to bed.
Here's a look at that second Dockal #DOOP 🙌 pic.twitter.com/isAqKb7Zvq
— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) June 23, 2018
MAN OF THE MATCH: Even aside from his two goals, Dockal was easily the best player on the field, commanding the right side and making some good passes across the box in the first half. The Czech DP, whose wife is expecting their second child this week, helped make up for the absence of the suspended Haris Medunjanin in the midfield and continues to play very well after a slow start to the season.