The Portland Timbers travelled north of the border to open the Week 11 MLS slate on Friday night, hoping for their fourth-straight victory. Instead, they encountered a stubborn and belligerent Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Whitecaps scored early, Fredy Montero smashing a left-footed shot into the roof of the net, and then proceeded to hang on as Portland pushed for the equaliser. It was not always pretty, but it was enough to lift Marc dos Santos’ side above the Timbers and into the playoff positions.
Here are three things we learned from the Whitecaps’ victory.