Vancouver Whitecaps 0 – 1 Philadelphia Union
Prelude to Battle
After failing to must much of anything against Los Angeles last week, a return to B.C. Place promised a return to form for Vancouver.
On the line, a chance to move up in the standings and of course, the team’s unbeaten record at home. Standing in the way, ex-Whitecap Sebastien Le Toux and the Philadelphia Union.
Despite the loss last week, the team’s previous form meant head coach Martin Rennie was comfortable not making any changes to the starting line-up. However Carlyle Mitchell and Erik Hurtado both made their way back onto the bench, in place of Greg Klazura and Tommy Heinemann.
A win for both teams would keep them competitive in their respective conferences, and so you could be sure that Saturday’s match would be an exciting one.
The First Forty-Five
Philadelphia began the match with fire, attacking the Whitecaps early, with Sheanon Williams providing the opportunities with his long throws. Vancouver dealt with them safely, but rather unconvincingly, as the Union continued to pressure.
Just eight minutes in, the match to a turn for the worse for Vancouver, as Jun Marques Davidson was sent off for a head-butt on Union striker Keon Daniel.
The incident happened after Daniel shoved Davidson to the ground before kicking the ball slightly into him. Irate, Davidson immediately got up and proceeded to ram into Daniel’s back with his head, right in front of Baldomero Toledo. The rash decision put Vancouver down to 10 men early, setting the tone for the rest of the afternoon.
Despite playing at a disadvantage the red card seemed to light a fire in Vancouver as they started to threaten Philadelphia’s goal more often. Kenny Miller had a good opportunity to put Vancouver ahead, but his run through the Union’s defense was for naught after he was unable to dig the ball out of his feet.
Meanwhile, Brad Knighton got the start in goal, following much speculation around the goalkeeper spot for Vancouver. At one point it appeared as though keeper in waiting David Ousted would make an appearance after Knighton knocked heads with Philly forward Jack McInerney, but Knighton stayed in the match.
It was an eventful half for the Whitecaps’ keeper as just minutes before Knighton nearly cost the team a goal with some lackadaisical decision-making. With the ball played back to him, Knighton weighed his passing options, a moment too long as Daniel deflected the ball to McInerney, however his shot was pushed away by Knighton.
Vancouver’s best chance of the half came after Russell Teibert was put through on the left wing, but his chipped attempt sailed agonizingly over the crossbar.
The two teams entered the half on equal terms, in what had to be seen as a good 45 minutes for Vancouver considering their situation.
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In the last 10 MLS matches Baldomero Toledo has given out 6 Red Cards. Count Dracula loves Red ... One Direction come to town and the #WhitecapsFC lose. Coincidence I think not.
– @VanCityVilla |
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The Second Half
Vancouver’s outlook didn’t get better after the break, after Kenny Miller was forced off with tightness in his hamstring.
Fortunately Kekuta Manneh was waiting in the wings, and nearly struck gold with his first touch, however his first-time effort went past Union keeper Zac MacMath and struck the post, staying out.
The bad news continued throughout the half, when in the 73rd minute Gershon Koffie was carded for a dive. The caution means Koffie will be unavailable for next week’s crucial Cascadia match-up against Portland.
Then it was Brad Rusin’s turn to be subbed off the pitch. Rusin, who had been a complete warrior throughout the match with some excellent defensive plays, had been limping after an aerial challenge. He eventually had to come off late in the game for Carlyle Mitchell with soreness to his hip.
It was late in the game when someone finally broke the deadlock; Philadelphia substitute Antoine Hoppenot latch onto a ball that snuck past Mitchell and he curled a shot past an oncoming Knighton to put the Union ahead 1-0.
Vancouver threw on Hurtado in an attempt to spur some offense, and nearly leveled after Camilo found himself in on goal with Manneh open 15 feet on his left. However the Brazilian opted for an attempt on goal, and his shot was easily dealt with by MacMath.
That would prove to be Vancouver’s final chance as they were unable to muster up anything in added time, ending their home unbeaten streak at 7-0-3.
The Final Word:
Questions surround roster and who can step up and claim their spot
After many fans were calling for Jun Marques Davidson to sit a spell on the bench, they’ll finally get their wish though not in the manner they wanted. We’d seen emotion for Davidson before, (see: against Toronto), but nothing quite like this.
“It’s very tough to play pretty much most of the 90 minutes with 10 men and I just want to apologize to all the fans and supporters who watched the game. It’s very disappointing,” he told reporters after the match.
“Obviously I wasn’t thinking at all and I just reacted differently…I don’t do that stuff, ever. And what I did was wrong.”
It was a poor decision, and one that will likely cost him playing time past his mandatory one-game suspension. What is interesting is how the midfield duties will be spread out next match with both Koffie and Davidson unavailable. The most obvious solution would be to put Matt Watson and Daigo Kobayashi in, but other options include player Johnny Leveron in a deep-lying midfielder role or finding a spot for Kekuta Manneh.
Red card aside, this is a match the Whitecaps could have easily won. Despite playing a man down, they still managed to generate a number of chances, but just couldn’t quite find that all-important goal. Three points tonight would have been great, especially heading into Portland next week; the Timbers are two points up on Vancouver with a game in hand.
The goalie speculation will continue to swirl around Vancouver’s net as well, after a solid, but unspectacular performance from Knighton. He had some shaky moments in possession of the ball and attacking crosses, and his goal kicks left something to be desired. The one factor working against David Ousted starting next week is the rivalry match. It is a bit tough to see Rennie throwing a new starter into such a crazy atmosphere.
Whoever does end up starting, whether it’s in the midfield or in goal, will need to prove that they can offer much more than what the ‘Caps have put forth in their last two matches. It’s only two losses in a row, but these turn of events could easily be the beginning of a longer streak without wins if Vancouver isn’t careful.
Vancouver Whitecaps Lineup
18.Brad Knighton
12.Young-Pyo Lee (19.Erik Hurtado 88')
3.Brad Rusin (24.Carlyle Mitchell 82')
16.Johnny Leveron
2.Jordan Harvey
13.Nigel Reo-Coker
27.Jun Marques Davidson
28.Gershon Koffie
31.Russell Teibert
7.Camilo Sanvezzo
9.Kenny Miller (23.Kekuta Manneh 47')
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