Becher sparks Vancouver to 5-0 victory over Montreal
Vancouver Whitecaps' Javain Brown tumbles to the ground after colliding with CF Montreal's Sean Rea during the second half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credit: AP/DARRYL DYCK
VANCOUVER, B.C. — Simon Becher scored two goals and added an assist to power the Vancouver Whitecaps to a 5-0 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday night.
Becher got the start against Montreal after becoming the first Whitecap to sub in and score in his first two appearances in the previous two matches.
Brian White opened the scoring with a goal in the 38th minute on assists from Becher and Javain Brown.
Becher used passes from Ali Ahmed and Luis Martins to score in the 43rd minute and Julian Gressel found the net unassisted two minutes later to give the Whitecaps (1-2-3) a 3-0 lead at halftime.
Vancouver took a four-goal lead just three minutes into the second half on an unassisted score by Ahmed. Becher found the net for a second time — in the 59th minute — with assists from Brown and Pedro Vite to cap the scoring.
The Whitecaps outshot Montreal 29-3 and had a 9-0 advantage in shots on goal.
Yohei Takaoka did not have to make a save in earning the clean sheet for Vancouver. Jonathan Sirois saved four shots for Montreal (1-4-0).
CF Montreal's Mathieu Choiniere, front right, puts a shot wide of the goal as Vancouver Whitecaps' Ali Ahmed (22) defends during the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, April 1, 2023, in Vancouver, British Columbia. Credit: AP/DARRYL DYCK
Vancouver had played three straight 1-1 draws before routing Montreal. The LA Galaxy (2009) and Colorado Rapids (2015) are the only teams to tie 1-1 four straight times.
Montreal, which was idle last week, stays on the road to play the New England Revolution on Saturday. Vancouver remains home to host the Portland Timbers on Saturday.
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