|
Posted by
Har Journalist,
April 6, 2014 |
|
Twitter
@HarJournalist
|
|
Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device |
|
|
|
|
|
|
VANCOUVER, B.C - The Whitecaps kicked off April looking to extend their MLS four-match unbeaten streak. Standing in their way were the Colorado Rapids, led by new coach Pablo Mastroeni. The visitors went 1-1-1 in March while the Vancouver Whitecaps went 2-0-2 in March. Carl Robinson's side were looking to unleash their potent attack on Mastroeni and his team but a shocking red card paved the way for a 2-1 Colorado Rapids win in front of 21,000 spectators at BC Place Stadium.
Darren Mattocks scored his first goal of the season in the second half but it was unknown Jose Mari who stole all three points for Colorado with two quick goals two minutes apart after Matias Laba was harshly sent off moments earlier.
Colorado entered the match with a perfect penalty conversion rate of 5 for 5. Vicente Sanchez scored all four of his goals from the spot. Deshorn Brown also scored a penalty for Colorado. The Rapids came into this match after a back and forth encounter with Sporting Kansas City that had Colorado falling 3-2 after a stoppage time marker from Dominic Dwyer. Centre-back Marvell Wynne was forced to sit out this match against Vancouver thanks to a pair of yellows he picked up vs Kansas City.
Also left out of this match were leading goal scorer Vicente Sanchez and Edson Buddle. Mastroeni rested his aging players against the unforgiving turf of BC Place Stadium. Without Sanchez in the lineup, Deshorn Brown would be the only player in a Colorado kit to face Vancouver having scored earlier this season. Gabriel Torres joined Brown in a 4-4-2 diamond formation as the Rapids most dangerous scoring threats.
Carl Robinson's starting lineup was unchanged from last week’s 2-1 victory over the Houston Dynamo. The only change Robinson made to his team sheet was Sam Adekugbe in for Bryce Alderson, who is day to day with an Achilles injury. Robinson also decided to stick with his 4-4-2 diamond formation that was successful against Houston.
The Opening 45
Darren Mattocks and the supporters thought he had found the net in the 14'. Mattocks rushed towards the goal to pounce on a rebound from a Pedro Morales shot. Rapids keeper Clint Irwin could not control the ball, but unfortunately for Matttocks he was a little too quick slotting the ball home, as his goal was called back on an offside. If the speedy striker had waited just a tick longer he may still have been able to score and keep the flag down.
Colorado had a brilliant chance to catch the Whitecaps napping in the 29' on the counter-attack. Gabriel Torres played a terrific ball over the top of a trio of Whitecaps defenders. Jay DeMerit, Andy O'Brien, and Steven Beitashour were caught flat-footed as dangerous Deshorn Brown stepped on his gas pedal and burst past them. Brown was inches from scoring as his effort rolled past the far left post. The Caps were fortunate to catch a lucky break.
Not to be out done by his fellow Jamaican, Darren Mattocks had another opportunity to strike for Vancouver. Mattocks raced into the Rapids box and fired a sharp attempt on target. Irwin came racing out of his net to turn the shot away with his right arm. The Rapids wanted another offside whistle but not wanting to take any chances, Irwin saved the day but cutting down Darren's shooting angle in the 35'.
The most active player on the pitch for the Rapids was Deshorn Brown and he had six total attempts on goal but he could not score a first half goal. The Manchester, Jamaica native talked about his team's performance and his scoring chance.
"It was a pretty tough one for us to come out here and execute the game plan we have, but we came out and executed and it gave us a victory,” Brown said. “It was a chance that I should have put away but it's just one of those days when stuff's not going your way. It didn't happen but I didn't lose focus and kept playing the game."
Both rivals played a back and forth opening forty-five with exciting action at both ends of the pitch. Neither team was able to find a positive finish to put them ahead. Colorado led the possession battle 57-43 while Vancouver had a three to one advantage in shots on target.
The Second Half
The Rapids signed Austrian right-back Thomas Piemayr earlier this week and he made his MLS debut against the Whitecaps. The 24-year-old received a warm welcome from Matias Laba, who was late with his tackle in the 54th minute. The Argentinian defensive midfielder earned himself a yellow card that would later play a pivotal role in the outcome of this match.
Hoping to make a change that would result in some more offense for their respective clubs, both managers made an early second half substitution. Sebastian Fernandez made his way on for Gershon Koffie in the 57th minute and Pablo Mastroeni decided to bring on Nick LaBrocca for Kamani Hill, who had picked up a yellow in the first half.
It would be Vancouver who reaped the benefits of hard work and smart tactical play as they opened the scoring in the 67'. Kenny Miller played a marvellous chip towards an oncoming Darren Mattocks. The 23-year-old left Thomas Piemayr in the dust as he closed in on Irwin. The keeper was able to get a piece of Darren's shot but it still found a home in the net. The crowd chanted Darren Mattocks name as he celebrated his goal and got the monkey off his back.
Pablo Mastroeni made a surprise move by substituting Deshorn Brown for Charles Eloundou after Darren Mattocks had scored. The Caps almost went up 2-0 when Mattocks, Morales, and Miller broke in 3 v 1. Miller was calling for the ball and Mattocks looked to answer as he fed the ball over. The middle man, Morales, received the ball and took his chance. Irwin just got enough to send his shot wide. Vancouver missed a glorious opportunity to perhaps put Colorado to bed and that poor finish was another factor in the momentum switching over to the Rapids.
Matias Laba was sent off in the 77' after thinking he had been fouled. In a bizarre scene, Laba picked the ball up thinking he was about to get a free kick. In astonishment Laba was shown a yellow card by referee Ioannis Stavridis for handling the ball. He was not fouled and in turn was sent off for picking up the ball. Carl Robinson was not pleased with the officiating and had these choice words when asked about the red card to Laba.
"I could sit here and say I haven’t seen it, but I have seen it,” Robinson said. “It’s obviously a foul, and he sent him off for a decision I think he got wrong in my opinion, and obviously it cost us the game."
Sensing an opportunity to even up the match, Colorado seized their chances and quickly tied the game 1-1 in the 79'. Midfielder Jose Mari scored a blistering kick from well out that found the back of the net past Ousted. The Danish keeper had no chance as Mari's shot was perfect as it found the inside left post.
The Whitecaps did not adjust properly after Laba was sent off and it soon cost them again. It would be Jose Mari once again with a well-timed shot from distance. The Spanish defensive specialist had all sorts of time and space to score from 25-yards out at the top of the Caps box. David Ousted could not get to the ball and Colorado was up 2-1 in the 81'.
Nathan Sturgis left the ball sitting on a platter as he setup Mari in perfect position for his strike. The Whitecaps defense was playing back and Mari made no mistake. In a cruel twist of fate it was Matias Laba's position in front of the back four that was left unguarded which allowed Mari all sorts of time to find the winning goal.
Whitecaps skipper Jay DeMerit endorsed Jose Mari for MLS player of the week honours for his two finishes when he talked to the media following a disappointing loss.
"You have to give credit to their two finishes,” DeMerit said. “Same guy, same two finishes. If he doesn’t win Player of the Week this week, I don’t know who will. It’s going to take a mighty performance from somebody else to do that. You have to give credit where credit is due. Those were two great finishes from 20 and 25 yards out, both of them."
Vancouver brought on Erik Hurtado for Steven Beitashour in stoppage time as they pushed forward for a late goal. The Rapids defended well and stifled the Whitecaps in the final moments of the match to earn a 2-1 victory.
The home side failed to convert on many occasions and Matias Laba's sending off seemed to quickly unravel Vancouver. Credit to Colorado for taking the chances they created as they handed Vancouver its first loss of the season.
Man of the Match
Darren Mattocks
Darren Mattocks has silenced his critics with his positive team first attitude during the first month of the season. He has hustled, worked hard, and bought into Carl Robinson's tactics. He has stopped sulking and shown everybody that he is on board with a team first concept. Mattocks finally had his good fortune change on the pitch when he scored the opening goal of the match in the second half. He was able to use his speed to get past Piemayr and his finish sealed his first goal of the season. Mattocks continues to be a bright spot early this season.
Honourable mention
He took his time getting involved in this match but Jose Mari made a difference when it counted. The former Real Zaragoza product showed off an array of shooting skills with his brace in the second half. Mari played in La Liga during 2012-2013, and you can see why Colorado thinks so highly of him. His teammates looked for him and he was able to make a mark on MLS in only his third career match. An excited Jose Mari talked about how hard Colorado played from the first moment on the pitch.
"All the players did a great effort from the first minute to the last,” Mari said. “Everybody worked really hard and more than anything I want to dedicate those two goals to my family, to my girlfriend and all the fans in Colorado."
Notes: Vancouver will travel to California to take on Bruce Arena's LA Galaxy on Saturday, April 12.
Vancouver Whitecaps Line-up: David Ousted, Steven Beitashour, Jay DeMerit(C), Andy O'Brien, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie, Matias Laba, Russell Teibert, Pedro Morales; Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller. (4-4-2)
|