Vancouver Whitecaps 0 – 2 Colorado Rapids
Prelude to Battle
As Nigel Reo-Coker so succinctly put it earlier in the week, ever game against a Western Conference opponent should be treated as a cup final. That was the situation facing Vancouver on Saturday as they visited the Colorado Rapids in a match up of two teams tied for second place.
No changes were made to the starting line up that defeated San Jose last week, however Darren Mattocks replaced Kekuta Manneh on the bench after returning from a knee injury.
With playoff positioning so tightly contested, earning three points on the road would be crucial to ensuring the Whitecaps would make the playoffs for a second straight year.
The First Forty-Five
Vancouver began the match fairly well, keeping the lion’s share of possession and limiting the number of Colorado’s chances.
It was the Rapids who came close early on however, but chances from forwards Hendry Thomas and Dillon Powers both went wide of the net.
The ‘Caps fought back and had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock after Camilo and Russell Teibert combined for a nice one-two, but Rapids keeper Clint Irwin was quick to pounce before Teibert could get a shot off.
Teibert was once again involved in the attack in the 36th minute, this time turning the provider as he played a perfect ball through to Kenny Miller. With only Irwin to beat, Miller struck a first-time shot, but his attempt was well saved.
The lack of finishing came back to haunt the Whitecaps nine minutes from half time. New Rapids signing Vicente Sanchez played a great cross to rookie Deshorn Brown at the back post, and he easily rose over YP Lee to head home his fifth goal of the season and give Colorado a 1-0 lead heading into the break.
The Second-Half
Colorado continued to look dangerous and press home-field advantage as it began to look Vancouver was faltering at the higher altitude.
New Designated Player Gabriel Torres nearly doubled the Rapid’s lead soon after the break as he was sent in alone on goal, but a poor first touch allowed David Ousted to come off his line and collect the ball, saving a sure chance.
With time running out, Martin Rennie brought Darren Mattocks on for his first match action in over a month, and the Jamaican international nearly had an immediate impact.
Showing some surprising strength he latched onto a ball that was flicked on by Camilo and managed to hold off Marvell Wynne, but Irwin was there once again to deny Mattocks’ shot attempt.
In the end it was Colorado’s substitute, Edson Buddle who put the game to bed. Just minutes after coming on, Buddle unleashed a shot from just inside the box that deflected off Johnny Leveron’s leg and into the net, leaving Ousted no chance.
The Final Word:
Inconsistent performance and opportunity lost for Vancouver.
After such a promising outing last week against San Jose, Saturday’s performance was much more reminiscent of the Whitecaps of old; a team that looked sluggish, failed to capitalize on opportunities, and lapses in defense.
While the attacking three looked threatening, clear chances were at a premium which compounded with the lack of finishing hurt the team all the more. Vancouver could likely have had more scoring chances, but often the ball died at the feet of Camilo who once again proved reluctant to share the ball. Such a tendency isn’t bad when a player is playing well, but Colorado’s defenders were handling Camilo with ease, closing him down quickly and not allowing him any space.
The lack of offensive flair could also be attributed to Daigo Kobayashi’s play. Brought in to provide some offensive creativity, the Japanese midfielder has now had a string of rather underwhelming performances. He’s been lacking in some of the most important areas for an attacking midfielder: he’s appeared slow at times, his passing has been sub-par and he’s given the ball away too much. With the transfer window now closed, the hope and expectation will be that this is merely a temporary dip in form for Kobayashi.
Vancouver Whitecaps Lineup
22.David Ousted
12.Young-Pyo Lee (29.Heinemann 82')
24.Carlyle Mitchell
16.Johnny Leveron
2.Jordan Harvey
13.Nigel Reo-Coker
28.Gershon Koffie
14.Daigo Kobayashi (8.Matt Watson 61')
31.Russell Teibert
7.Camilo Sanvezzo
9.Kenny Miller (11. Mattocks 61')
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