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Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
September 20 2014 |
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@HarJournalist
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VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers played a critical match in a playoff like atmosphere at Providence Park on Saturday afternoon. Vancouver came into the match with a 1-point lead over the Timbers for the 5th and final MLS Western Conference playoff spot. Both teams had been struggling lock down and secure the final playoff spot with sub par and mediocre play of late. Carl Robinson's side were not able to match Portland's enthusiasm, energy, and fast paced counter attacks. The Whitecaps defense was caught out of position on too many occasions and fell 3-0 to the Timbers.
Diego Valeri opened the scoring in the first half with a wonderful volley, and Fanendo Adi scored a brace in the second half to seal all three points for Portland in front of 20,814 happy Timbers supporters. The Timbers earned their second three-nil victory over the Whitecaps this season and leap frogged the Caps into an MLS playoff spot.
Carl Robinson made four changes to his side that fell 2-1 away to FC Dallas last weekend. Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien, Pedro Morales and Erik Hurtado all earned themselves a start against Portland. With his poor form earning himself a lot of criticism from Whitecaps fans and media, Darren Mattocks found himself on the substitutes bench to start the match. Vancouver switched up tactics against Caleb Porter's side and decided to go with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Erik Hurtado as the lone striker. Portland also played in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Fanendo Adi as their lone striker.
The Opening 45
Beaverton, Oregon native, Erik Hurtado was full of energy playing in front of family and friends. The 23 year-old had a great chance to score an early goal for Vancouver as he beat the offside trap to find himself all alone with Donovan Ricketts. Unfortunately for Hurtado, his first touch to control the ball was poor and Portland were able to get back before he could slot the ball past an oncoming Ricketts. Vancouver was awarded an early corner, but could not convert with Kendall Waston all tied up inside the Timbers box.
Whitecaps defensive midfielder, Matias Laba picked up a yellow card on 12' minutes as Portland looked to break out on the counter attack against Vancouver. Laba clipped the heals of Diego Valeri for his 7th MLS yellow card of the season. The Whitecaps aggressive play did not pan out in the opening forty-five as they picked up another needless yellow card. Kendall Waston was issued a yellow, his third of the season for a lazy tackle on Alvas Powell. The Jamaican defender cleanly nicked the ball of Waston, and the Whitecaps defender dangerously fouled Powell.
The back and forth track meet between both teams added a lively quick pace that delighted the fans at Providence Park. On 28' the home side gave their fans something to cheer about with an absolutely smashing volley from Diego Valeri. Jorge Villafana delivered a perfect pass to an on coming and unmarked Diego Valeri. With nobody tracking the Argentine's run he sent a fantastic volley past David Ousted into the top corner of the visitors net. The Danish keeper could do nothing as Valeri's shot was unstoppable. The crowd roared and Vancouver had to mount another valiant road effort in a difficult environment.
Vancouver's offense became dormant whenever they got close to the Timbers net. Donovan Ricketts had a relatively easy first half as the Whitecaps looked lost in the final third phase of the match without a dominant striker. The Portland defense was alert and any ball the Whitecaps did send into the area was quickly cleared away. Portland capitalized on Diego Valeri's volley and went into the interval with a 1-0 lead and a possession advantage of 58% - 42%.
The Second Half
Portland maintained their strong possession advantage over Vancouver as the Whitecaps needlessly gave away possession. When the Timbers looked to move forward the Whitecaps committed foul after foul, and gave up numerous free kicks. A Will Johnson free kick in the 59' resulted in a dangerous attempt on target from Darlington Nagbe. The Whitecaps defensive coverage had huge gaps and Portland looked more likely to score than Vancouver did.
Looking to jump-start his beleaguered offense, Carl Robinson brought on speedy Kekuta Manneh for Mauro Rosales on 65' minutes. Manneh had been bothered by a minor groin niggle in recent weeks, but had trained well leading into this key match against Portland.
The Whitecaps Gambian substitute did little to change the tide for the Whitecaps, in fact the flood gates soon opened in favour of Portland thanks to Fanendo Adi and a slow reacting Whitecaps defensive front.
Adi scored his first of his two goals in the 66' when Matias Laba was stripped of the ball by Diego Valeri. The Timbers pushed forward and Valeri fed the ball to Adi who was in a foot race with Andy O'Brien. The Irish defender was never going to beat Adi in a race and he ran past O'Brien and slotted the ball between the legs of David Ousted as he came out to try to save the day.
The scoring didn't stop for Portland as Adi scored his 8th goal of the season on another counter rush by the Timbers. Both Andy O'Brien, and Kendall Waston were caught up the field and could not get back to defend. Darlington Nagbe found Fanendo Adi before Steven Beitashour could slide tackle the Nigerian striker out of a dangerous scoring position. Adi converted and David Ousted was once again hung out to dry by his slow reacting defense.
Portland were by far the better team on the pitch. They created chances, caused the Whitecaps all sorts of trouble, and scored three terrific goals. Vancouver fell apart after the Diego Valeri goal and after that their confidence fell right out the window. Carl Robinson's side melted in the Portland sun, and the Timbers had no trouble knocking them over and running away with three points. Vancouver has a lot of work to do if they think they're going to overtake Portland.
Man of the Match
Fanendo Adi
Fanendo Adi was quick to catch the Vancouver Whitecaps asleep and he made them pay with a pair of goals only minutes apart in the second half. Vancouver seemingly forgot to play defense and Adi was buried both of the chances he was involved with. The Timbers needed someone to step up and perform in this huge Cascadian derby match and Fanendo Adi was the real deal and the difference maker against the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Honourable mention
Diego Valeri is quickly becoming known as a prominent players in MLS. The Portland Timbers know what he can provide and how he contributes to their success, and he did just that against the Whitecaps. Valeri's volley broke the match open, and seemed to knock the sails out of the Vancouver starting eleven. Valeri also played playmaker on Adi's first goal of the match. He sprung Adi and finished the match with a well deserved 1 goal and 1 assist.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI
David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien, Kendall Waston, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Russell Teibert; Mauro Rosales, Pedro Morales(C), Sebastian Fernandez; Erik Hurtado. (4-2-3-1).
Portland Timbers Starting XI
Donovan Ricketts; Alvas Powell, Pa Modou Kah, Liam Ridgewell, Jorge Villafaña; Diego Chara, Will Johnson(C); Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, Rodney Wallace; Fanendo Adi. (4-2-3-1).
Notes: Jordan Harvey made his 100th appearance with the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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