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Robinson's 'Caps thump Red Bulls

Mar 9, 2014 - 3:48 AM Vancouver, BC (SportsNetwork.com) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC enjoyed a smashing start to life under new head coach Carl Robinson by getting a 4-1 win over Red Bull New York at BC Place on Saturday.

Robinson assumed control of the first team duties in December and was able to watch a dominant performance in his head coaching debut as a brace from Kenny Miller, a cracker from Sebastian Fernandez and a late strike from Pedro Morales lifted the 'Caps to victory over the reigning Supporters' Shield winners.

Vancouver peppered the Red Bulls net with multiple long-range shots in the opening period only to be denied each time by Luis Robles.

But the home side managed to take the lead in the 34th minute after Richard Eckersley handled the ball in the box. Miller converted the ensuing penalty attempt to make the former Toronto FC defender pay.

The 'Caps ultimately cashed in on a strike from distance when Fernandez doubled the advantage four minutes into the second half.

The Uruguayan made Whitecaps supporters forget about Camilo Sanvezzo's salty departure from the club as the new owner of the No. 7 shirt collected a square pass from Darren Mattocks before uncorking a shot past Robles and into the upper corner.

Miller tacked on a third with 13 minutes to play, latching on to a ball played over the top by Morales and chipping a shot over the on-rushing Robles to complete his two-goal performance in exquisite fashion.

Morales put an exclamation point at the end of the result by adding a fourth in the 89th minute when he fired home a first-time shot off of a square ball from Nigel Reo-Coker.

The only sour note in the match came in stoppage time when a slight gaffe from David Ousted denied the 'Caps a clean sheet. The Vancouver goalkeeper failed to command his box on a cross from Lloyd Sam, which allowed Bradley Wright- Phillips to ghost in and send a glancing a header into the back of the net.