Whitecaps defeat Cavalry FC in first leg of Canadian Championship quarterfinals

The Vancouver Whitecaps beat Cavalry FC 4-1 Wednesday night at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C.

Cavalry FC held their own in the first half of their match against the Whitecaps Wednesday night, but Vancouver pulled away in the second half to win 4-1 in a game played at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby, B.C.

The victory in the first leg of the Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal gives Vancouver a decided edge, with the two clubs set to meet again at ATCO Field in Spruce Meadows on July 13.

The Whitecaps got second-half goals from Thomas Muller, Brian White and Rayan Elloumi to break a 1-1 first half tie.

Vancouver got off to a quick start in the second minute, when the Whitecap defender Veselinovic blasted one in that deflected in off Cavalry FC defender Adam Pearlman, redirecting it past goalkeeper Nathan Ingham to put the hosts up a goal.

Right before the break, Cavalry FC tied it with a goal from Daan Klomp, who beat Whtecap goalkeeper Isaac Boehmer.

Muller was substituted into the game and converted a rebound to put the Whitecaps up 2-1.

Three minutes later, White headed one past Ingham to give Vancouver an insurance marker and then Elloumi, just back from playing for Tunisia at the World Cup, made it 4-1.

Game time Monday night at Spruce Meadows is 6:30 p.m.