VANCOUVER, B.C - Vancouver Whitecaps FC had a grip on a first round MLS western conference playoff bye, and the opportunity skipped over their boots. Yordy Reyna's first half goal could have assured Vancouver's advancement through to the conference semi-finals. In front of 22,120 fans, San Jose had other ideas and nicked out a 1-1 draw thanks to Valeri Qazaishvili's second half tally.
Vancouver was the better side, but they took their eye off the ball for one moment, and that's all the Earthquakes needed.
"I thought we were in total control," said Coach Carl Robinson. "I thought that a little mistake or if we switched off it might cost us, and it certainly did. We know they have good players. They had balls in certain areas, but they didn’t really hurt us, but one little bit of luck for them. Obviously it went through Timmy (Tim Parker)’s legs and we switched off, and they equalized in the game which we should have put to bed. So we’ve got to accept it. We’re disappointed, because it was an opportunity for us to win at home again, but we’ll take the point and move on."
Vancouver remain atop the MLS western conference with a 15-11-7 record, and 52 points. The Caps can still clinch a first round playoff bye, with a win or a draw against Portland Timbers FC at Providence Park on Sunday. MLS 'Decision Day' could also see Vancouver fall to second, or third place in heading into the MLS playoffs.
Whitecaps FC keeper, Stefan Marinovic earned his first MLS start at home. The New Zealand international made 4 saves, and spoke about the post-match feeling in the room.
"Yeah, definitely, the feeling in the change room after the game, it's a huge disappointment. We had a chance today, to put the conference to rest, and clinch first place. I think that we felt like we let ourselves down today. (We) didn't take our chances, and conceded a soft goal. Honestly, we felt like during the game that they didn't really work, or cause us any trouble, so it's a shame," Marinovic said.
Vancouver will have to go into a park that few teams have managed to pull out a win this season. Timbers FC have a 10-2-4 record at home, and they will be ready to knock Vancouver down to second or third spot. Marinovic wants that all important win.
"No matter what, the boys will be going out in Portland to win," said a confident Marinovic. "I personally don't care if it's away, and I don't think the team cares if it's away. It's going to be about a win. We want to definitely secure that top of the table place, and not leave it to any of the other teams to decide our fate for us. We want to do it ourselves."
Captain, Kendall Waston is ready to lead Vancouver into what will be a playoff like atmosphere in Portland. Vancouver has found difficulty playing on the road with a 6-8-2 record, but they did come away with a 1-0 win against Kansas City on September 30.
"It's nice playing in that atmosphere," said Waston of Portland. "Everybody wants to play like that. It's going to be a great battle, tough. It's one final over there. Now we're thinking positive, we're still in the first spot. That is what matters."
The Opening 45
It was a tentative start to the match as neither side wanted to give away too much defensively. Vancouver looked to catch the Earthquakes in transition with quick pace and speed on the flanks with Cristian Techera, and Brek Shea. San Jose was content to control possession, and build their way up the pitch into the Caps box.
Vancouver had a fantastic opportunity to score the opening goal in the 26' minute. Brek Shea found himself inside the Earthquakes box with an entire net to shoot at. San Jose keeper, Andrew Tarbell came across his net and made a point-blank save.
Whitecaps FC kept coming and they found the net in the 29' minute. Techera made a great run through the midfield, and found a streaking Jake Nerwinski. The rookie full-back sent the ball across goal to a wide open, Yordy Reyna. The Peruvian international converted on an open net for his 6th MLS goal of the season.
The Caps took some time to settle into the match, but once they did, Vancouver showed their ability. They created chances, and Reyna put Vancouver out in front. San Jose may have held a 54% - 46% possession advantage, but they lacked finish in the final third.
The Second Half
The Whitecaps appeared to be home and cool as they clung to a 1-0 lead and a possible bye through to the MLS western conference semi-finals. All Whitecaps FC needed to do was kill the clock, maintain possession, and limit San Jose's chances.
San Jose Coach, Chris Leitch was focused as the Quakes were determined not to see their playoff dreams come to a crashing halt. The gaffer kept all of his substitutions on the bench and put his faith in his starting eleven, and they soon rewarded him.
Skipper, Chris Wondolowski played a terrific ball through Tim Parker's legs to send attacking midfielder, Valeri Qazaishvili in behind the Whitecaps FC back-four. The Georgian international lifted the ball over top of a falling Stefan Marinovic in the 77'.
Vancouver didn't have the required to bite to fend off the San Jose Earthquakes for a full ninety minutes. An insurance goal would have done the job, but San Jose stayed compact, focused, and did not buckle on the road. Whitecaps FC have another opportunity to secure first place in the west, but it will have to be in hostile territory against Portland.
Man of the Match
Yordy Reyna
After returning from World Cup Qualifying duty with Peru, Yordy Reyna didn't skip a beat. The magician created, distributed, and scored. Reyna has proven that he can be a difference maker in MLS. The Caps are a stronger team with Reyna on the pitch, and he showed exactly what he can do when given time and space. Reyna essential to the Caps offence, and with the MLS playoffs on the horizon, he's peaking at the right time.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Stefan Marinovic; Marcel de Jong; Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski; Aly Ghazal, Tony Tchani; Brek Shea, Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera, 71 (Alphonso Davies); Fredy Montero, 85 (Erik Hurtado). 4-2-3-1.
Atlanta United FC Starting XI: Andrew Tarbell; Shea Salinas, Florian Jungwirth, Victor Bernardez, Kofi Sarkodie; Darwin Ceren, Anibal Godoy; Valeri Qazaishvili, 88 (Tommy Thompson), Chris Wondolowski(C), Jahmir Hyka; Danny Hoesen. 4-2-3-1
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