Five minutes into the match, it would not be remiss to think that the Whitecaps were the away team, as they sat back, while Toronto, the actual away team, were the ones doing all the pressing. Vancouver was fortunate not to concede an early goal, as Toronto's running was breaking them apart.
It was all Toronto. The Reds had clear leads in terms of possession, corners, shots, both total and on target, crosses, passes, overall, in the opponents half, and the final third. The Whitecaps did have an answer, but it's not the kind of answer that is likely to lead to long term success.
Like a student that skips classes all semester long, and the crams the night before the final exam, the Whitecaps came up with a truly novel game plan: just score every time you put the ball on target.
It's not what Cristiano Ronaldo does, it's not what Alphonso Davies does, it's not even what Lionel Messi does, but against Toronto, it was what the Whitecaps did.
Lucas Cavallini scores his first goal for Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
In the 17th minute, totally against the run of play, Michael Baldisimo switched the ball over to the left wing, which Ali Adnan beautifully crossed back for Lucas Cavallini to just knock it in without any problems whatsoever. It was a great goal, but totally against the run of play.
Quentin Westberg, the Toronto goalkeeper, should have gone for it, as Cavallini was only 6 or 7 yards out when he made contact with it.
Thomas Hasal, got the nod in goal again, as Maxime Crépeau is still recovering from a fractured left thumb, and Bryan Meredith is approaching his 9th week of mourning for the passing of his mother, Beth. We wish all the best to him and his family.
Hasal made a good reaction save in the 24th minute from a close in shot by Pablo Piatti. A minute later, Jonathan Osorio levelled the score at one apiece.
It had to come the way Toronto were moving the ball around and with the amount of space the Whitecaps were giving them at the edge of the box.
A cross from Alejandro Pozuelo and Osorio knocked it in. A simple goal taken that showed how the Whitecaps midfield weren't filling in the spaces to stop that sort of thing happening.
Whitecaps FC manager Marc dos Santos had a lot ton his mind as the players headed to the dressing room with the score tied 1-1.
In the 40th minute, the Whitecaps got a chance from about 20 yards out after a foul on Cavallini, but with the ensuing free kick, the ball sailed harmlessly over the top.
At halftime, Whitecaps manager Marc dos Santos brought on Jake Nerwinski for Érik Godoy, which would allow up to four more substitutions, spread across three or less events. Halftime substitutions are exempt from the three event rule in effect right now.
Humorously, this exemption would go on to confuse the Public Address announcer in 74th minute, as he stated that the 'Caps had made their third and final substitution.
In the second half, the gap between the Whitecaps back line and forwards was acres wide, making it easy for Toronto to pick up any loose or headed balls into the area. All the 'Caps could do was chase them.
In the 56th minute, Vancouver got another free kick that was about 20 yards out from Toronto's goal. Ali Adnan and David Milinkovic both stood over it, with Toronto's wall doing its job, only for Baldisimo to hit in from 30 yards out, scoring his first goal in just his second outing as a professional. He would go on to celebrate with a flick-flack and a backwards somersault.
Michael Baldisimo’s acrobatics were just as good as shot.
In the 63rd minute, Toronto made a change, with Jozy Altitodre came on for Liam Fraser. Hasal made a great save a minute later as Altidore and Pozuelowas were making Vancouver's back line turn in circles.
In the 69th minute, Ryan Raposo came on for Vancouver's David Milinkovic. A minute later, Toronto brought on Nick DeLeon for Ayo Akinola.
And a minute after that, the 'Caps conceded a clumsy goal when they let Pozuelowas get in to make it two apiece. As the cross came over from Piatti, Vancouver's defence didn't go for it, Hasal didn't go for it, and Pozuelowas got a free header.
Andy Rose wasn't marking him, Jake Nerwinski was on his back, but didn't do much to stop him. It's crazy to let a player get a free header from that position, least of all a player of Pozuelowas' quality.
In the 74th minute, Tosaint Ricketts came on for Theo Bair, with the P.A. announcer erroneously noting that it was the 'Caps third and final substitution.
Cavallini drew a foul in the 76th minute after selling it to refree Silviu Petrescu. He'd been yapping in the ear of Petrescu all night, and got the call he wanted when it counted.
Ali Adnan took the left footed strike from 35 yards out; Andy Rose kept it in play, cutting it across the middle, and Jake Nerwinski scored from the left hand post. It was sloppy defending by Toronto, but the Whitecaps didn't care. They were up 3-2. And once again, it went against the run of play.
Needing an equaliser, in the 81st minute, Toronto would make a double substitution, bringing on Chris Mavinga and Tsubasa Endoh for Laurant Ciman and Justin Morrow.
Jake Nerwinski with the match winner.
Hasal went down and stayed down in the 83rd minute after DeLeon went into him. It appeared to be his right shoulder. Isaac Boehmer, Vancouver's 4th choice goalkeeper, almost had to come on for the last five minutes plus stoppage time, but Hasal managed to carry on.
And as the clock ticked into stoppage time, Marc dos Santos ate some time by bringing on Cristian Dájome and Ranko Veselinovic for Lucas Cavallini and Michael Baldisimo, meaning the Whitecaps had brought five players on in four separate increments.