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Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
March 29, 2015 |
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@HarJournalist
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The first Cascadian clash of the season between the Whitecaps and Timbers went to Vancouver as Robert Earnshaw delivered a timely stoppage time goal at the death to secure a 2-1 victory for the Whitecaps. The BC Place crowd of 22,500 spectators had grown anxious after Fanendo Adi cancelled out Nicolas Mezquida's first half free kick goal. Carl Robinson had a Welsh ace up his sleeve and Earnshaw scored on his only opportunity of the match after entering the pitch in the 87' minute.
Earnshaw never gets tired of scoring goals and he has made a great habit of doing just that. He scored on his Chicago Fire debut, his home debut with Toronto FC and now on his Whitecaps debut. Robert Earnshaw scores when he wants and that's quite a bit. He was delighted to contribute for his new team.
"It was amazing. Even with the length of time I’ve been playing football, that feeling when the ball hits the net, oh my god, it’s the best. It’s the best. Within those two and a half seconds, in my mind it was like three minutes because I have to know what to do, when to do it and react to what he was doing. I had a few options. I had time. The best option was what happened. I didn’t know what to do. I was so emotional. I was so happy, I kind of lost myself a little bit. That’s a credit to everybody here."
This was the Whitecaps first win over the Portland Timbers at home in six previous matches. Vancouver improve with a 3-0-1 record while the Timbers suffered their first loss of the season and are now 0-3-1.
Carl Robinson was not pleased with his teams overall play and thought that the better team lost the match. Vancouver was able depend on a brilliant display of keeping from David Ousted. A great connection between Morales and Earnshaw was enough for the gaffer's men to earn all three points.
"The game is won and lost in midfield. Every game of football is. Today we came out on top with a moment of magic. A sliding pass from Pedro and Earnie chips over the goalkeeper. I will take the points.”
A banged up Portland side was without key players that included, Will Johnson, Diego Valeri, Ben Zemanski, and the recently concussed Jack Jewsbury. Vancouver were dealing with their own injuries and suspensions as both managers had to come up with challenging lineups. Caleb Porter felt his team dominated the match and were unlucky not to win. In the end he gave Vancouver credit for the win.
"I didn’t think it was fair based on how well we played, but again you have to credit Vancouver. They've been getting results and finding a way to win games like this by defending and countering. We knew what type of game we were going to be in and you have credit them for finding a way to get three points."
The Opening 45
Early into the MLS season the Whitecaps are one of the most yellow carded teams. Vancouver came into this match leading the way with most fouls committed at 59. It didn't take long for the Whitecaps to pick up a foul and a yellow card. Gershon Koffie seems to enjoy playing dangerously as a yellow card was awarded to him on 12' minutes.
Octavio Rivero looked like he had drawn a yellow card against his opponent. However, referee Allen Chapman decided only to award a free kick at the top left corner of the Timbers box. Nicolas Mezquida and not Pedro Morales stepped up to take the free kick.
The Uruguayan attacking midfielder delivered a brilliant cracker of a blast over the Portland wall and curling inside the far post. Norwegian goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey dove to his right, but was unable to make the save. Just 15' minutes into the match and Carl Robinson and his boys had an early 1-0 advantage over the visitors.
Jamaican defender Alvas Powell earned himself a chorus of boos from the Vancouver faithful after a push to the back of Sam Adekugbe. The Canadian international was doubtful to play in this match due to the severe bruised ribs he suffered last weekend in a collision with Orlando City SC keeper Donovan Ricketts. Adekugbe went over top of the BC Place advertisement boards and Powell was issued a yellow card. Following the match Carl Robinson praised Adekugbe and the teams medical staff for getting him fit.
"We’re lucky we’ve got one of the best medical teams in the league. It was touch and go for Sam today. He trained yesterday a little bit and managed to declare himself fit. I thought he did okay today. Like all the players he did okay. I’ve got no worries because I’ve got two fantastic left backs."
The physical play between both sides ramped up after Mezquida's goal and Adekugbe's tumble. It appeared that Portland was intent to target the full-backs sore ribs. Allen Chapman did well to keep emotions at bay during the opening half. Portland went into halftime down 1-0 despite have a 63% - 37% advantage in possession.
The Second Half
Portland continued to dominate possession in the early stages of the second half. The Timbers were unable to generate any dangerous scoring opportunities against David Ousted.
Vancouver was able to use a fast break counter attack against Portland that created a terrific chance to double the lead in the 57' minute. Pedro Morales worked a give and go with Erik Hurtado. The Oregon native, found the Caps skipper at the top of the Timbers box. Morales delivered a huge strike from 25 yards out that skimmed over the Timbers crossbar.
Portland kept coming with crosses, through balls, and shots on target. David Ousted was up for the task as he made save after save. A 70' minute fury from the Timbers saw George Fochive setup Darlington Nagbe for a brilliant strike. The Liberian born midfielder forced Ousted into making a diving save.
Gershon Koffie made way for 18 year-old rookie Deybi Flores in the 72' minute. The Honduran midfielder made his MLS debut as the Whitecaps tried to hold down a 1-0 advantage over Portland. The visitors brought on Dairon Asprilla, and Gaston Fernandez in the 65' and 75' minute as they looked to score the equalizer in enemy territory.
You could sense that another goal was coming and that if that happened it would only come from one side. Portland found the back of the net in the 82' minute thanks to some clever ball movement and speedy attacking from Nagbe, Wallace and Adi.
The 24 year-old Nagbe raced up the field and found Rodney Wallace on the left side. Wallace was able to send a cross past Steven Beitashour and into the Vancouver box. After the ball bounced around, an alert and unmarked Fanendo Adi buried the ball past Ousted to even the score 1-1.
Robert Earnshaw entered the match for Erik Hurtado in the 87' minute. The Welsh striker was hoping to get one opportunity to break the deadlock with the final minutes of the match ticking away.
David Ousted was standing on his head as he turned Fanendo Adi away from in close with the palm of his hand. Portland could have easily nicked a second goal after Adi had tied the match moments earlier.
The late heroics played out again for the Whitecaps as Pedro Morales and Robert Earnshaw connected for the match winning goal in stoppage time. In the 90 +1, Morales slipped a ball through Timbers centre-backs Nat Borchers and Liam Ridgewell. Neither player reacted in time to prevent the pass.
Portland was not playing a tight back-line and Earnshaw slipped through to receive the Morales pass. The veteran sniper, calmly chipped the ball over a falling Kwarasey to score the 2-1 and deciding tally.
The Vancouver crowd erupted, and Earnshaw did a trademark back flip as he danced over to the corner flag. Once again the Whitecaps left it late, but not late enough because they left the pitch with a victory.
Man of the Match
David Ousted
David Ousted came up big with key saves in the second half as Portland dominated and created much more offense than Vancouver. The Danish keeper finished the match with 4 saves and was by far the most important man on the pitch. Ousted has established himself as the top keeper in Major League Soccer. He helped the Whitecaps steal all three points at home when they were out played. Ousted was the only reason why the Timbers did not score early and often.
"I'm happy with my performance today. I gave us a chance to win it and that’s why I'm in there. I'm delighted to see Earnie get that goal. It shows what a composed player he is and he’s a great addition to our team."
Honourable mention
Robert Earnshaw was signed by Vancouver on Wednesday and he rewarded Carl Robinson, his teammates, and the Caps organization with a huge winning goal. A player of Earnshaw's calibre only needs one chance to change the outcome of a match. Earnshaw did just that. If Octavio Rivero and Robert Earnshaw both end up on terrific form, Vancouver could have a deadly striker duo.
"That was an amazing atmosphere to play in. I’ve played in a lot of different countries, with the national team and in the Premier League, what a great atmosphere. Credit to the fans. Thank you because I was looking around and they’re singing, I thought this was really, really nice. What a great atmosphere to play in as a player to see that and to feel that energy from the fans. It goes a long way."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Kendall Waston, Pa-Modou Kah, Sam Adekugbe; Matias Laba, Gershon Koffie (Deybi Flores 72); Erik Hurtado (Robert Earnshaw 87), Pedro Morales(C), Nicoals Mezquida (Kianz Froese 57); Octavio Rivero. (4-2-3-1)
Portland Timbers FC Starting XI: Adam Kwarasey, Alvas Powell, Nat Borchers, Liam Ridgewell(C), Jorge Villafaña; Darlington Nagbe, Diego Chara, George Fochive (Gaston Fernandez 75), Rodney Wallace; Maximilliano Urruti (Dairon Asprilla 65), Fanendo Adi. (4-4-2)
Notes: The Whitecaps will host the Los Angeles Galaxy at BC Place on Saturday, April 4. The Timbers will host MLS league leading FC Dallas on Saturday, April 4 at Providence Park.
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