VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps helped close out Buck Shaw Stadium against the San Jose Earthquakes with a scoreless 0-0 draw in front of 10,525 spectators. Carl Robinson's side had a brilliant opportunity to go three points clear of the Portland Timbers for the fifth and final MLS Western Conference playoff spot. However, the Vancouver offense was not in top form as they underwhelmed and only managed one shot on target.
The Whitecaps and Timbers will go into the final MLS weekend neck and neck with Vancouver a point ahead of Portland in the fight to make the playoffs. Next Saturday, Vancouver will host the Colorado Rapids, and Portland will travel to Frisco, Texas to play FC Dallas.
The Whitecaps gaffer couldn't be more thrilled about his team being in control as the final match day will determine who makes the playoffs and who comes up just short.
“I'm happy with the point, because we’re in control now of what we do, which is what I said five, six games ago: If we handle our business, we’ll get to where we want to get to. Going into the last game of the season knowing we need to get a result, I'm pleased.”
Carl Robinson made one change to his team that upset the Seattle Sounders last week at CenturyLink Field. The suspended Kendall Waston was replaced by Johnny Leveron. The Honduran centre-back started for the first time since August 23 against the Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Whitecaps bench received an added boost thanks to the international return of Darren Mattocks and the recently recovered Gershon Koffie. The central-midfielder had missed the last two months of action with an injured foot. Vancouver went with a 4-2-3-1 formation with Santa Clara, native Erik Hurtado as the lone Whitecaps striker.
The Opening 45
Vancouver had a trio of corners in the early stages of the match, but without the towering presence of Kendall Waston, Pedro Morales was unable to connect with any his teammates inside the Earthquakes box. Jon Busch did come up with a timely clearance as the Whitecaps skipper almost sent one of his corner attempts underneath the San Jose crossbar in the 12' minute.
The Whitecaps got a scare in the 26', when former Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder, Atiba Harris collided with David Ousted. The Danish keeper was in the air trying to clear away a San Jose corner. Ousted came down and his head hit the pitch hard. Paolo Tornaghi warmed up on the sidelines, but the Italian keeper who has yet to play any league minutes for Vancouver was not needed as Ousted was alright to continue.
After a Victor Bernardez committed a foul on Mauro Rosales in the 32', Vancouver was awarded a free kick from 30 yards out. Pedro Morales was not able to clear the San Jose wall, and his harmless shot went well wide of Jon Busch and the Earthquakes net. Moments later Atiba Harris was called for a foul on Morales. Erik Hurtado not known for his free kick quality, promptly stepped up and fired his free kick into the San Jose wall from 20 yards out.
Vancouver had four opening half corners, but other than those opportunities and a pair of questionable free kicks, they did not create enough scoring chances in the opening forty-five. At the other end of the pitch San Jose were kept quiet on offense. Going into the interval Vancouver had a 57% to 43% possession advantage, but the match remained 0-0.
After the match Erik Hurtado talked about the situation at hand as Vancouver will controls it's own destiny heading into the final weekend of the season. A Vancouver win will send the Whitecaps back to the playoffs no matter what Portland does.
“That’s all we want is to be in control. It’s a massive point for us and I'm proud of the guys to hold it out and get the point. Obviously, we’re trying to get the win, but a point gets us above that red line. We’re in control and we’re ready for that game on Saturday.”
The Second Half
Chris Wondolowski had a great chance to score before halftime, and he had another wonderful chance to open the scoring early in the second half. The 31 year-old had a free header off a San Jose corner in the 56' minute. Wondolowski rose above his defender and headed the ball over the Vancouver net. The Whitecaps caught a break as Wondolowski should have connected to put the Earthquakes in the lead.
Gershon Koffie, and Darren Mattocks entered the match in the 61' and 64' for Matias Laba, and Erik Hurtado. San Jose was beginning to look stronger on offense and the pair of substitutions Carl Robinson made looked to help Vancouver regain composure in the midfield and add pace at the top with Mattocks.
Still awaiting the opening goal of the match, Vancouver made it's third and final substitution in the 71'. Sebastian Fernandez who missed last weeks match in Seattle due to suspension, came on for a tired Pedro Morales. The three Whitecaps subs sparked the team as they looked lively and full of energy.
Kekuta Manneh came down the left flank and out muscled San Jose defender Pablo Pintos. The ball sent down the flank from Darren Mattocks was precise and accurate. Manneh cut in and made his way towards the San Jose net only to have his shot directly turned away by the chest of an on rushing Jon Busch. The Earthquakes keeper was happy to hold a potential playoff bound Vancouver team to a scoreless a draw in the final match at Buck Shaw Stadium.
“The boys played fantastic in front of me tonight. I really didn’t have much to see from a shot perspective, which is a testament to them. We all knew that after a disappointing season we wanted to end our run at Buck Shaw with a victory against a playoff calibre team. Although we didn’t get that goal, our work ethic was unbelievable tonight and it’s fitting we end our time here with another strong defensive showing.”
Vancouver failed to capitalize on a wonderful chance to pick up three crucial points against the MLS Western Conference bottom feeders. The second half substitutions Carl Robinson made certainly helped, but overall the visiting team did not look as dangerous as it recently has going forward. San Jose played the role of spoiler and they did just enough to earn a draw and limit the Whitecaps to no goals and one point. Vancouver will have to do much better at BC Place next weekend.
Man of the Match
David Ousted
Once again David Ousted proved his worth for the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Caps keeper could have easily come out of the game in the first half after an aerial collision with Atiba Harris. Ousted's strength, and endurance continue to grow as the season gets closer to the end. He has started every Vancouver MLS match this season and he is a big reason why Vancouver remains in the hunt to make the playoffs. Ousted had three important saves against the Earthquakes and picked up his MLS league leading 12th clean sheet of the season. The Whitecaps would be lost without David Ousted and a playoff berth would most likely be well out of reach.
“It’s always important to keep clean sheets and to put up good numbers. I'm happy with where I am. I said at the beginning of the season that I felt ready for it. I was in good shape, I worked hard in the offseason and I wanted to prove myself, and I think I did.”
Honourable mention
Andy O'Brien had a stellar showing in central defense paired alongside Johnny Leveron in the absence of Kendall Waston. The experienced Irish international was all over the pitch on the defensive side of the ball. O'Brien is among the MLS leaders in balls cleared and he added to that against San Jose. His man-marking was terrific, his command was excellent and he led the back-line for Vancouver. Despite being the eldest player on the Whitecaps roster, the 35 year-old was full of energy, and even contributed a few diving clearances.
Vancouver Whitecaps Line-up
David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien, Johnny Leveron, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Russell Teibert; Mauro Rosales, Pedro Morales(C), Kekuta Manneh; Erik Hurtado. (4-2-3-1)
San Jose Earthquakes Starting XI
Jon Busch, Pablo Pintos, Victor Bernardez, Jason Hernandez, Jordan Stewart; Sam Cronin; Atiba Harris, Khari Stephenson, Yannick Djalo, Shea Salinas; Chris Wondolowski(C). (4-1-4-1)
Notes: Steven Beitashour played 90 minutes in his return match to San Jose.
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