VANCOUVER, B.C - If at first the weather doesn't cooperate, try, try again. FC Edmonton hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps on a lovely sunny evening at Clarke Stadium in the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship semi-final series in front of 3,803 supporters. The Vancouver Whitecaps scored early, and then late to advance to the Voyageurs Cup Final with a 2-1 win and a 3-2 total aggregate victory over FC Edmonton. Vancouver will now play the Montreal Impact on August 12 and August 26.
The Eddies and Whitecaps both converted a penalty. Pedro Morales opened the scoring in the 9' minute after Cristian Techera was spilled in the box, and Tomi Ameobi continued his scoring pace with a successful penalty to tie the match in stoppage time. The match appeared to be headed to extra time, until... Matias Laba pounced on a ball inside the FC Edmonton box to score the match, and aggregate winning goal. Carl Robinson was gracious as he gave credit and praise to tenacious FC Edmonton squad.
"It was a very difficult game. I stressed to the guys after Wednesday’s game, last Wednesday’s game, that it is not an easy game against Edmonton. They got something to prove. They fight, they scrap and they run. And they've done that again today. They want to show us, an MLS team, what they’re all about. And they did that. I've got to give Edmonton a lot of credit today. They fought till the very end. I wasn't happy that we conceded in the 92nd minute. I disagreed with the seven minutes of extra time, but I'm glad that he actually showed seven minutes of extra time because we were able to get the win."
The Eddies and Manager Colin Miller gave Vancouver all that they could and almost sent the match into the unknown excitement of extra time. Following the match, Miller shared his thoughts on the outcome.
"Heartbreaking. Easily the better team in the second half. I was very proud of my players. I have to say, I lost my temper a wee bit at half time. I said, ‘If we’re going to get beat playing the same way we did in the first half, we may as well go ahead and give the Whitecaps the tie,’ because we weren't at the races. We didn't tackle, we didn't complete, there seemed to have no energy. The guys once again answered the bell. I honestly didn't think we even deserved to draw. I thought we were far superior in the second half. The Whitecaps just kicked the ball out the park. They must have done it eight to 10 times because we were on the front foot for once. I thought we missed some really good chances. It’s just a shock in the second goal to give away at that period of time. I need to see it again, but in live play I just in total disbelief it went through a whole rock of players. I think it went through Matt’s legs. Overall, the effort of the players and the crowd tonight were fantastic."
The Opening 45
The Whitecaps heavy and talented lineup wasted no time trying to get into the FC Edmonton area in search for an all important away goal. Vancouver had 5 corners in the first five minutes of action. Cristian Techera was buzzing around the FC Edmonton box. His corners did not connect with his teammates, but the sustained pressure was a good start for Vancouver.
Nicolas Mezquida sent a ball towards the path of Techera and he quickly darted into the FC Edmonton box. The five-foot and two-inch Techera was brought down by Eddies goalkeeper Matt VanOekel. Referee Silviu Petrescu pointed to the spot and awarded Vancouver a penalty. VanOekel was issued a yellow card, and was lucky not to have been sent off for his sliding tackle.
Skipper Pedro Morales converted the PK by sending the ball into the left side of the net. VanOekel guessed wrong and dove to his right. The Whitecaps had scored their all important away goal and it took only 9' minutes to complete that task. FC Edmonton looked to be caught off guard in the opening minutes of the match. Vancouver's quick transition game had the Eddies on their heels as the visitors pinned the home side back.
Lance Laing looked to setup Tomi Ameobi in the 12' minute. The 27 year-old sent a terrific cross into the Vancouver box. Ameobi was a late getting to the ball as his timing let him down. Whitecaps keeper Paolo Tornaghi was able to dive and eventually pounce on the loose ball that Ameobi failed to connect with.
Vancouver carried the majority of possession in the first forty-five and had a tremendous opportunity to double their advantage in the 38' minute. Cristian Techera was able to draw a free kick just outside the penalty spot.Tomas Granitto was given a yellow card for fouling Techera. The Whitecaps lined up to take the free kick. It appeared that Morales was going to take the free kick, however Techera's trickery was on display. He emerged to take the free kick from nowhere and then missed with his wide attempt.
Carl Robinson and the Whitecaps went into the break with a 1-0 lead and a 2-1 aggregate advantage. Each team had 1 shot on target in the fist half with Vancouver holding a 6-3 differential on corners.
The Second Half
FC Edmonton needed a goal to stay alive in the hunt for the Voyageurs Cup and Colin Miller decided to make a substitution before the second half. Daryl Fordyce entered the match for Tomas Granitto as the Eddies looked to get something, anything going offensively. Lance Laing setup new substitute Daryl Fordyce in the 58' with another fantastic cross. Laing sent a beautiful delivery to the far back post. Tim Parker was covering the Belfast, Northern Ireland native, but Fordyce was able to slip in behind him. Fordyce had his effort on goal go wide as he was able to connect, but not send his shot towards the Vancouver net.
Cristian Techera was just as lively in the second half as he was in the first. "The Bug" darted into the FC Edmonton box and sent another curling
shot just wide of the frame. Techera was on point and causing all sorts of
trouble for the Eddies.
Ethen Sampson earned himself an unintentional brace in the 71' minute. The Caps right-back was on the wrong end of a flying tackle from Lance Laing. The Mitchell's Plain, South Africa native, had his head make contact with Laing's leg. Sampson was down on the pitch and bleeding from his head. Steven Beitashour replaced Sampson and to make matters worse, Sampson also picked up a yellow card. Looking to shut-down the Eddies for the remainder of the match. Carl Robinson brought on defensive stalwart Matias Laba in the 78' minute. Cristian Techera made his way to the sidelines after cramping up.
With youngster Hanson Boakai on the pitch the The Eddies brought everything going forward. Striker Frank Jonke made his way onto the pitch for full-back Allan Zebie in the 88' minute. Colin Miller's side could not find the equalizer until a momentary error from Whitecaps centre-back Kendall Waston. The towering Vancouver defender tackled Jonke and a life line and penalty was given to FC Edmonton. Tomi Ameobi stepped up and made no mistake from the spot. The Eddies had squared the match 1-1 in the 92' minute. With the Vancouver Whitecaps looking to regroup FC Edmonton kept coming and mounted more pressure.
Deep into stoppage time Vancouver was awarded a free kick on the left flank. Pedro Morales sent a curling cross into the Eddies box. The ball bounced around in the area before centre-back Tim Parker was able to poke the ball towards Matias Laba. The scramble continued and Laba was able to send the ball through the legs of Matt VanOekel and into the FC Edmonton net in the 97' minute.
The Whitecaps failed to take care of FC Edmonton during normal time, but once again were rescued thanks to some lucky stoppage time heroics from Matias Laba. Vancouver left it late and they still managed to advance. Vancouver will playing the Montreal Impact in a two leg series in August.
Man of the Match
Vancouver Whitecaps
Cristian Techera was by far the best player on the pitch for both sides. The man known as "The Bug" played his best match in a Whitecaps kit. Techera was able to draw the Whitecaps penalty which resulted in a crucial early goal that changed the match. Techera also created several scoring opportunities for himself and also was able to break through the Eddies back-line. Cristian Techera raised his game and helped Vancouver battle a tough FC Edmonton team.
FC Edmonton
Lance Laing dominated Ethen Sampson on the left side of the pitch. Sampson was given all sorts of trouble from the Eddies midfielder. Laing did well to setup his FC Edmonton teammates in both halves. Laing proved himself to be a great playmaker. If the Eddies had any amount of finishing, FC Edmonton could have given Vancouver more trouble than they did. Lance Laing made things happen, and he was the best player on the pitch for the home side.
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Paolo Tornaghi; Ethen Sampson (Steven Beitashour 72), Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Christian Dean; Gershon Koffie, Russell Teibert; Nicolas Mezquida (Kekuta Manneh 66), Pedro Morales(C), Cristian Techera (Matias Laba 79); Darren Mattocks. (4-2-3-1)
FC Edmonton Starting XI: Matt VanOekel; Eddie Edward, Albert Watson, Mallan Roberts, Allan Zebie (Frank Jonke 88); Cristian Raudales, Tomas Granitto (Daryl Fordyce 46); Sainey Nyassi (Hanson Boakai 75), Ritchie Jones, Lance Laing; Tomi Ameobi. (4-2-3-1)
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