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Posted by
Har Journalist,
April 19, 2014 |
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps hosted the LA Galaxy in the second of a mini two match series at BC Place Stadium on Saturday afternoon. LA got the better of Vancouver in Carson, California last weekend with a 1-0 win. Carl Robinson's side were looking to return serve with a win of their own in front of a sold out crowd of 21,000 supporters, however a draw was in the cards after both teams exchanged a cluster of goals in the second half.
Stefan Ishizaki opened the scoring in the first half before, Darren Mattocks scored on an empty net to tie the match in the 67'. Robbie Keane looked to have scored the winning goal after a double substitution by the LA Galaxy, however Kekuta 'Scooter' Manneh scored in the 86' tie even the match 2-2. LA felt like they squandered three precious away points and Bruce Arena was not happy with the way his team gave the lead away twice in the second forty-five.
"I'm disappointed in the end I would have liked to have had three-points today,” Arena told RedNation. “Obviously we didn't do a good job protecting the lead."
LA Galaxy central-defender, Omar Gonzalez has been a key standout on the back-end for his team this season. He is also a candidate to play in the 2014 World Cup this summer. The Dallas, Texas native was upset by the end result after a gruelling match but he also gave credit to the Whitecaps for keeping at it and finding a way to draw level.
"I thought that we should have left here with three-points,” Gonzalez added. “I think we were better most of the night. We had some good spells of controlling the ball and keeping possession. I think we could have been a little bit better to keep the lead both times. You have to give it to Vancouver for continuing to fight at home and earning the point."
The Whitecaps Welsh gaffer made a pair of changes to his starting lineup that lost at the StubHub Center. Kenny Miller returned to his familiar striker position paired with Darren Mattocks and Matias Laba also returned. Laba missed the Whitecaps previous match due to being suspended. Kekuta Manneh, and Sebastian Fernandez both started the match away to LA but found themselves on the bench to start this match. Robinson also switched up his formation and decided to go back to a 4-4-2 diamond.
Bruce Arena also went with a 4-4-2 diamond with Brazilian player Juninho at the bottom and Swedish international Stefan Ishizaki at the top. Todd Dunivant was absent from the LA lineup for the second match in a row with an abdominal injury. Still looking for his all-time leading 135 MLS goal, Landon Donovan was partnered with Robbie Keane as the Galaxy striker duo. Donovan has yet to score this season as he hangs onto hope that Jurgen Klinsmann will name him to the United States World Cup team. The Galaxy had compiled a 2-1-1 record coming into this match.
The Opening 45
It didn't take long for tensions to build up as Andy O'Brien earned himself a yellow card from Canadian referee Silviu Petrescu just 41' seconds into the match for a foul on Robbie Keane. On the subsequent free kick, David Ousted was able to easily stop a bouncing shot that made its way past the wall.
The Galaxy controlled the opening 20 minutes of the match and looked more like a well-oiled machine destined to score first. The speed, rhythm and organization that LA showed put them in a gear ahead of the Whitecaps players on the pitch. Vancouver did just enough to keep LA at bay in the early going before they could find their own legs and get going.
Miller and Mattocks almost connected in the 22' as the Scotsman looked to set up the opening goal of the match. Miller sent in a short cross that Darren Mattocks failed to get his head on. The ball was inches away from connecting with the Jamaican striker. The Whitecaps picked up their pace and started to control more of the play in the first half and that created a beautiful chance to score in the 30'.
Pedro Morales worked his magic and bicycle kicked the ball into the LA box. His attempted pass was cleared away but Morales had another chance to set up his teammates and Jaime Penedo had to come up with a big save. Morales had his cross deflect and ricochet off of Kenny Miller's arm directly into the hands of the Galaxy keeper. Penedo was in the right place at the right time as luck found his side.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 39' after some poor defensive play from the Vancouver Whitecaps. Pedro Morales gave the ball away and the Caps were in full scramble mode after that. Dan Gargan crossed the ball from the midfield to Baggio Husidic. The Bosnian-American midfielder found an unmarked Stefan Ishizaki alone in the Caps box. The former Swedish Allsvenskan league standout easily headed home the ball as Jay DeMerit wasn't sure where to go. Ishizaki talked about scoring his second career MLS goal.
"I felt like the cross was a little bit too long, but when I saw Baggio was going to get it, I just came drifting from a deeper position and he just picked me out,” Ishizaki explained. “I had a lot of time to think about what I was going to do and I just trying to hit it with as good pace as I could into the right corner, and luckily it went in."
Going into the half the LA Galaxy had a 1-0 lead and a 58-42 advantage in possession. LA also had three shots on target to the Whitecaps two.
The Second Half
Not wanting to wait long before making his own impression on the match, Carl Robinson made a double substitution before the second forty-five kicked off. Andy O'Brien and his yellow card were replaced by Honduran centre-back Johnny Leveron. Kekuta Manneh also entered the game for Russell Teibert, who was ineffective during the first half.
Erik Hurtado was the final sub to come on for the Whitecaps and he did so in the 65' for Pedro Morales. Hurtado quickly showed his touch by setting up Darren Mattocks from the right flank only to see the eventual shot go wide of the net. Hurtado seemed to spark the Whitecaps because moments later they scored.
A mix up at the backend between LA Galaxy keeper Jaime Penedo and Leonardo caused quite the malfunction for Bruce Arena's men and the Whitecaps made them pay in the 67'. Darren Mattocks stepped on his gas pedal and quickly got to the ball to convert into a wide open and unguarded net for his second goal of the season. Vancouver's confidence was restored after a disruptive and costly ball handling display by Panamanian keeper Jaime Penedo.
Sensing that the momentum had switched in favour of the Whitecaps, Bruce Arena made his own double substitution on the 72' and that proved to be a smart move as his tactics eventually paid off with the winning goal. Stefan Ishizaki and Baggio Husidic made way for Gyasi Zardes, and Canadian international Rob Friend as Vancouver was starting to carry the play after Mattocks equalized.
It took only five-minutes for LA to take the lead after Arena made his double switch. Omar Gonzalez sent in a ball into to the Whitecaps box and Rob Friend controlled and knocked down the ball towards Irishman Robbie Keane. Jordan Harvey and Johnny Leveron were a tad late reacting to Keane at the side of the Whitecaps net and before they got to him he scored. Keane netted his 4th goal of the season and David Ousted could simply not get over in time to make a save.
Just when you thought the LA Galaxy were all cool, calm, and ready to nurse at 2-1 lead to secure all three points the plot changed in the 86' thanks to super sub Kekuta Manneh. The Gambian game-breaker found himself alone at the top of the LA Galaxy box with time and space. He turned and fired an absolute cracker from distance past a shell-shocked Jamie Penedo. There was nothing the Galaxy keeper could do as Manneh scored a sublime rocket for his second marker of the season.
Three-minutes of stoppage time certainly produced a cheer of excitement from the fans, but nothing could be done to break the 2-2 score. Both teams put on a show in the second half and provided an entertaining final forty-five minutes of action. The match was fit to be a draw after both sides stepped up their offense.
Landon Donovan was unable to score his landmark 135 all-time leading MLS goal, but despite that he wasn't overly bothered by his own performance when he spoke to the media. Donovan was complimentary to the Whitecaps new gaffer when describing the work and changes he has made with his team.
"I think there a very good team,” Donovan said. “We haven't seen a lot of teams yet, but they certainly look like they're going to be one of the better teams in the league this year. They've got a number of good attacking players, a number of good leaders, and they look like a very solid team. I think Carl's done a great job with them and I think they'll be around in the end."
Man of the Match
Darren Mattocks
Darren Mattocks had a goal and assist and was the best Whitecaps player on the pitch. He pounced on the miss-play between Penedo and Leonardo to score the opening goal for the Whitecaps and he was instrumental in the home teams attack. Mattocks was able to play a full 90' minutes and his play didn't waver during the match. He was enthused by subs Erik Hurtado, and Kekuta Manneh when they entered the match and assisted on Manneh's goal, which earned the Whitecaps a valuable point. Mattocks leads the team in assists and he has shown that he can set up his teammates and contribute offensively when given opportunities.
Honourable mention
Robbie Keane was buzzing all around the Whitecaps net for the second straight match. He doesn't need a lot of opportunities to convert a goal and that's exactly what he showed when he scored his second half and 4th goal of the season. Keane had just enough time to convert Rob Friend's flick before the Caps defenders got to him. Keane was more of a threat to score than his fellow striker Landon Donovan was. Despite finding the back of the net Robbie Keane was in an unpleasant mood when he talked to the press after the match
"It feels like a loss to be honest with you, that's how I look at it," Keane said after the game.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien, Jay DeMerit(C), Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie, Matias Laba, Russell Teibert, Pedro Morales; Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller. (4-4-2 Diamond)
Notes: The Vancouver Whitecaps will hit the road next season when they travel to Utah to face Real Salt Lake on Saturday, April 26.
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