Masato Kudo

ANALYSIS
While a rocket of a shot by Kudo from close range in the 35th minute of Saturday's fixture was somehow blocked by Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik, a second attempt with a mere two minutes remaining in the first half - a well-timed header off a penalty kick by Pedro Morales - found its mark and lifted the Whitecaps to a 2-1 lead headed into halftime. The goal, the forward's first since a May 7 win at Portland and second of his young MLS career, now finds Kudo tied with six others as the club's No. 3 in overall scoring. Fantasy owners too will want to note that the Japanese native has combined for a total of four shots - all on goal - since returning from a broken jaw in a July 13 win over Real Salt Lake.