Rookies Kyle Bekker and Kekuta Manneh were expected to make impacts for Toronto and Vancouver respectively while U.K. imports Robbie Earnshaw and Nigel Reo-Coker hoped to make their MLS debuts.
Concerns surrounded Jay DeMerit’s health, as the Whitecaps captain was thought to still be nursing an Achilles injury but the assurance was that he would be ready for the match.
Meanwhile Ryan Nelsen was hoping for a winning debut in his first match as a coach. It was going to be a tough test for the former EPL star however, as some absences, notably Stefan Frei, Julio Cesar and Luis Silva, meant Toronto would be without some key players.
The Opening Forty-Five
The two sides appeared to have different mindsets at the outset of the game, as Toronto FC attempted to release Reggie Lambe and Robbie Earnshaw with balls over the top, while Vancouver seemed content to play a more patient game, knocking the ball around.
Toronto’s tactics soon dealt Vancouver a major blow however. Jay DeMerit, who’s health was already questioned due to an Achilles injury, came down awkwardly after a headed clearance. He appeared unable to put any pressure on his left foot and was forced to be subbed out, with Brad Rusin making an early debut. Starting DeMerit will raise some questions, but luckily for Vancouver, Rusin showed to be a more than capable replacement for the Whitecaps’ captain.
As the first half progressed, possession between the two teams evened out, with most of the action happening between Toronto FC fullback Richard Eckersley and Kekuta Manneh. In particular, Lambe gave Alain Rochat a lot of trouble, leading to a couple of free kicks, but neither Earnshaw nor Bekker could capitalize.
At the other end, Vancouver executed a number of good passing sequences, as Rochat and Kenny Miller linked up a couple of times to threaten Toronto’s defense. The duo of Danny Califf and Darren O’Dea held fast though and were just as patient as the ‘Caps offense, in order to cut out chances.
In fact, the defensive performances of both teams insured that neither team had a clear cut scoring chance, ensuring that score remained 0-0 heading into half time.
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Not the most entertaining game to watch, but the boys got it done. Gershon Koffie... your an absolute boss #WhitecapsFC #believeinblue
- @JGill818 |
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The Second Half
A promising debut by Manneh gave way to the debut of big offseason signing Nigel Reo-Coker. The introduction of the midfielder appeared to inspire the Whitecaps further, as they combined for a nice string of passes on a number of occasions. However Toronto keeper Joe Bendik held fast, highlighting a nice string of saves by tipping a Rochat free kick wide of the post.
Ultimately, Vancouver would not be denied. A nice one-two between Y-P Lee and Miller gave Lee a lane into the box and his pass to Daigo was expertly laid off for Koffie who easily slotted home Vancouver’s first goal of the season.
Reo-Coker’s influence continued to show as he combined extremely well with Lee and Koffie, resulting in a couple more chances for Vancouver after Koffie’s goal. His skill showed on a counterattack that nearly led to another Whitecaps goal, as he set up Mattocks inside the box, however the second-year forward’s shot was blocked by Eckersley who did well to get back and defend.
Toronto had some trouble finding a reply, however Hogan Ephraim proved to be a more influential player for Toronto after hardly seeing the ball in the first half. Unfortunately for the Reds, Earnshaw, was clearly showing signs of fatigue after a lively first half. Toronto would earn a couple of well positioned free kicks, but some good time wasting by Mattocks, Koffie and Erik Hurtado saw the game out for Vancouver.
The Final Word: Koffie strike the difference as neither side finds first gear.
It was a rather non-descript debut for both teams as neither Vancouver nor Toronto showed any killer instinct in front of goal. Regardless, if you’re Martin Rennie or Ryan Nelsen, there are some positives to take away.
The keys to success for Toronto are many, but maybe most importantly is that they now seem to have a steady centre back pairing in Califf and O’Dea, something they arguably haven’t had in their seven years of existence. If they can stay consistent in using that pair through the season, fans of Toronto FC should be optimistic for a more defensively sound team. Also encouraging has to be the play of fullbacks Richard Eckersley and Ashtone Morgan, who handled speed on the wings very well. Morgan’s ability to get stuck in on Erik Hurtado and keep the speedy winger from getting around him was particularly impressive.
Meanwhile fill-in keeper Joe Bendik showed he will be a capable replacement for Stefan Frei while he’s injured. Though he wasn’t thoroughly tested, he provided Toronto with a solid, mistake-free performance.
Up front is where the concern remains however. Robbie Earnshaw looked good in the first half, but his lack of conditioning was apparent as the game progressed. Reggie Lambe was impressive in attacking Alain Rochat and, if he can put out performances like that regularly, Toronto will have a bonafide threat on the wing.
Moving on, the draftees from both teams were rather impressive. Kyle Bekker was strong, playing the whole game and he delivered some well-placed free kicks for Toronto to get onto. Bekker appeared to be playing as more of an advanced playmaker with Luis Silva injured, but it will be interesting to see him playing a more central role, as he passed the ball quite well. Fellow Canadian Emery Welshman was introduced late in the game and didn’t get much opportunity to have an impact unfortunately.
For the Whitecaps fans, you have to be impressed by what Kekuta Manneh and Erik Hurtado brought to the game. Both had made a couple of mistakes, typical passing errors, but Manneh’s combination of speed and skill and Hurtado’s mix of speed and strength will cause fits for full backs and did for Eckersley and Ashtone Morgan. Both Toronto fullbacks actually handled them quite well, but as the two rookies develop, it’s easy to tell that they’ll be forces to reckon with on the wings. Hurtado’s ability to close the game out in the final stages, especially in holding up play in the corner, was impressive.
Probably the biggest surprise for Whitecaps’ fans will be the improvement in Kenny Miller. Often criticized for a lack of pace last season, Miller made a number of threatening runs and was impressive in defense as well. His effort in matching Ashtone Morgan’s pace all the way to the corner flag to cut out a chance for Toronto was outstanding and even received a warm round applause from the stadium.
Miller’s final touch remained frustrating, however, as he wasted some good build-up with poorly timed crosses. As he learns to adjust to the amount of speed Vancouver has introduced, his influence will be felt more often.
Speaking of influence, Nigel Reo-Coker proved to be the deciding factor for a squad that in his words, “was playing well, but needed to step up another one or two gears.” Though not directly involved with Koffie’s winner, Reo-Coker brought a more attack-minded approach to the Whitecap,s whereas for most of the game Vancouver would opt to pass back rather than forward. It will be interesting to see just how much Reo-Coker can affect a game, playing a full 90 minutes.
Whitecaps Line-up
Cannon
Lee
DeMerit (8’ Rusin)
O’Brien, Lee
Koffie
Davidson
Manneh (45’ Reo-Coker)
Kobayashi (76’ Hurtado)
Miller
Mattocks
Toronto FC Line-up
Bendik
Eckersley
Califf
O’Dea
A. Morgan
Lambe
Dunfield (76’ T. Morgan)
Hall
Ephraim
Bekker
Earnshaw (84’ Welshman)