Blas Perez scores twice as Vancouver Whitecaps down Chicago Fire 2-1

VANCOUVER – Blas Perez used to be loathed by fans of the Vancouver Whitecaps.

On Wednesday night, those same supporters were chanting the striker’s name after an incredible performance for his new club.

Perez scored his second goal of the night, and second of the season, on a superb bicycle kick in the 89th minute to lead Vancouver to a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Chicago Fire.

The 35-year-old flung his body at a looping, deflected ball in the opposition penalty area and lashed a ferocious strike past goalkeeper Matt Lampson to send B.C. Place Stadium into a frenzy.

Perez had an immediate expression of disbelief, admitting afterwards he thought it might be called off for dangerous play because his boot nearly clipped a Chicago defender, before getting mobbed by elated teammates.

“He’s an exceptional, experienced professional — and he’s still going,” said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson, who acquired Perez this winter after four seasons with rivals FC Dallas that included a number of heated clashes with Vancouver (5-5-2).

“Every time we played against him, he caused us problems,” added Robinson. “That’s why I wanted to bring him to the club. I did my research on him with his character.”

Perez, who opened the scoring in the first half, was an early substitute following an ugly incident involving Masato Kudo in the 11th minute. The Japanese forward was chasing down a ball when he collided with an on-rushing Lampson, taking a shoulder to the face before his head slammed on the turf.

“Any time you see a colleague, a friend, a brother of yours on the field hurt obviously it’s a little surprising and it’s not nice,” Perez said through a Spanish interpreter. “You’ve got to be ready when you’re on the bench. You’ve just got to be ready to come on and do your job.”

With blood dripping from his mouth, Kudo stayed down for several minutes, but was able to get to his feet before being carted off the field. The Whitecaps, who said Kudo suffered a concussion and also bit his lip and tongue, announced at halftime that the 26-year-old was alert, but going to hospital for further evaluation.

“I don’t think it’s looking very good. Obviously it’s a head injury,” said Robinson. “I think it’s a jaw problem. I’m going got go see him.”

Kennedy Igboananike had the goal for Chicago (1-3-4), which sits at the bottom of Major League Soccer with just seven points.

With the Fire trailing 1-0, Igboananike cut inside Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey and beat goalkeeper David Ousted at the near post in the 62nd minute for his team-leading fourth of the season.

Chicago, playing for the first time since April 30 and suiting up for an MLS-low eighth game of the season, was clearly the fresher of the two sides and continued to carry the play in the second half.

After a couple of opportunities at either end, Igboananike danced into the Vancouver penalty area in the 81st minute, but his shot hit the post and stayed out before Perez’s heroics.

“A little bit sloppy at certain times,” Robinson said of his team’s effort on the heels of Saturday’s impressive 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers. “Defensively I thought we were a little bit open and their game plan was to catch us on the counter.

“A very well-rested team can hurt you and cause problems.”

Perez opened the scoring in the 36th minute on a well-worked move. Pedro Morales sprayed a diagonal pass down the right side to Christian Bolanos, who crossed into the Chicago box where the ball glanced off a defender, off Perez’s shin and past Lampson.

“Mixed emotions today,” said Robinson. “Performance, I thought we were OK, average. Delighted for Blas. Top, top professional. Two super goals.

“Obviously a big blow losing Masato … mixed emotions.”

Notes: Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston was shown a yellow card in the 82nd minute and will be suspended for Saturday’s game at Toronto FC. … Harvey made his 134th MLS appearance for the Whitecaps to break the previous mark held by former Vancouver midfielder Gershon Koffie.

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