Final
Le Toux, Vancouver spoil MLS debut for Montreal
Mar 11, 2012 - 1:46 AM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Vancouver Whitecaps FC learned last year that one result can be deceiving. But if Saturday's season-opening win is a sign of things to come, 2012 looks promising.Sebastian Le Toux and Camilo Sanvezzo scored as Vancouver downed the expansion Montreal Impact, 2-0, at BC Place to remain perfect in season openers in Major League Soccer through two seasons.
Whitecaps FC joined MLS as an expansion team last season and opened with a 4-2 over Toronto FC, but just five more wins followed over the final 33 matches.
Le Toux should help change the club's fortunes this season.
Acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Union, Le Toux showed why he'll add a new dimension to Vancouver's offense with his first goal as a Whitecap after just 4 minutes.
In addition to scoring 25 goals over the last two seasons, Le Toux also had 20 assists. Although Le Toux was not credited with an assist on the second goal, he played an important part in the build-up to Sanvezzo's 54th-minute strike.
Le Toux showed off his finishing abilities first, accepting a headed pass from Eric Hassli to bag the opener. He took the ball into the left side of the box, then slotted back to the right post past Impact goalie Donovan Ricketts.
Vancouver (1-0-0) added its second goal after halftime, this time with a great build-up down the right side. Le Toux played the ball in from the right wing, and Hassli dummied to let it roll through his legs to Davide Chiumiento.
Chiumiento, who led Vancouver with nine assists last season, slipped a pass to Sanvezzo in the area, and the Brazilian split a few defenders and slotted into the left side past Ricketts.
Vancouver had just five shutouts last season, but Joe Cannon posted five saves to open the year on a high note.
The Impact created a few half-chances despite the shutout, and had a decent debut for an expansion side on the road in their first-ever match.
Montreal (0-1-0) can just look back to last season and Vancouver to know that the season opener doesn't make or break an entire year. But coach Jesse Marsch also knows there is a lot of work to do.
- MONTREAL: 0
VANCOUVER FC: 2
Final
Mar 10 7:59 PM - MONTREAL: 0
VANCOUVER FC: 0
1st Half - 1'
Mar 10 6:08 PM
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