Whitecaps Win First Preseason Match 2-1 Against Real Salt Lake

It was a big win for coach Teitur Thordarson

I was fearful with the Whitecaps about to play their first match. Yesterday I kept on wondering, "What if they were to lose this match?", that eventually became, "What if a losing streak started?!". I was shuffling around, thinking of happy things in an attempt to remain hopeful.

Yet among all my negative thoughts, the Whitecaps managed to play an exciting 135 minute match (broken up into three 45 minute segments) in which they won 2-1. While Joe Cannon, Jay DeMerit, and John Thorrington didn't play due to injury problems, 25 Whitecaps players played in the friendly.

While I was worried about the forwards, and whether they'd provide enough goals, they proved me wrong just 17 minutes into the game. Swiss international Alain Rochat played Russell Teibert through towards goal, and the youngster scored the Whitecaps's first goal as an MLS team. After the goal, the Whitecaps kept the pressure on Real Salt Lake, forcing Real's keeper, Tim Melia, to make some great saves.

Russell Teibert, one assist and one goal

The first 45 minutes ended, and Real Salt Lake got a chance to reorganize before playing the second set of 45 minutes. The Whitecaps conceded just four minutes into the second half, with Real Salt Lake's Alvarez taking advantage of a slightly distracted defence to equalize.

But it didn't take long for the Caps to find the winning goal. Teibert swung in a corner, and Terry Dunfield finished from close range for the winning goal. The rest of the match was a tough battle, with Real Salt Lake fighting hard to try and equalize. Yet the Whitecaps remained solid and held on to their first victory as an MLS franchise.

A goal and an assist for the young Teibert, the team played together as a group, and the preseason continues with an added boost after this first win. The Whitecaps's next friendly will be against Columbus Crew next Tuesday. If you're interested in the full preseason schedule, you can check it out here.

What do you think about this win? It's a great result, and it proves to me that the Whitecaps should have a strong first season. Remember to share your comments below!