The Whitecaps clearly had their sights set towards the weekend match as they put out a reserve team to face TFC and lost 1-0 at BMO Field. There were a total of eight changes made to the line-up that played and lost to Sporting Kansas City last weekend. The lone goal was scored by Nick Soolsma who converted a penalty kick after he was fouled by defender Greg Janicki.
The only players that were carry overs in the starting eleven included rookies Michael Boxall, Jeb Brovsky, and veteran Shea Salinas. The line-up included three teenagers (Salgado, Teibert, and Koffie) as well as four players (Nolly, Wagner, Knight, and Janicki) who were Whitecaps for the full 2010 season in Division 2.
While the Whitecaps carried the majority of possession in the first half, there was no purpose to their possession. They continually attempted to work the ball around the middle of the field until they put a long ball through to a wide player down the sideline. Unfortunately there was little connection for these plays and more often than not the ball would roll over the touchline.
TFC had the best chance in the first half when Yourassowsky missed the net from just inside the box and fired the ball wide. It wasn’t until with less than ten minutes to go that the Caps got to Frei as Janicki pressured the goalkeeper into fumbling the ball off a corner. In the closing minutes Teibert, the Caps best player on the pitch, was close to giving the visiting side the lead as his shot just missed the net.
The second half began with Eric Hassli being subbed on into his striker role as the Caps looked to push for the first goal. Against the run of play Soolsma was able to claim a penalty kick as he was fouled by Greg Janicki at the edge of the box. The Dutch winger converted the penalty on his second try as the first was waived off due to encroachment.
Falling behind TFC for the first time this year, the Whitecaps pushed for the draw bringing on Camilo and Nizar Khalfan as second half subs. Unfortunately for Vancouver the majority of their chances were pushed wide of the net or the final pass was misplayed. The game ended with a whimper as the Caps were unable to apply any real pressure late as the final whistle blew for another loss.
While the Whitecaps carried the majority of possession, especially in the first half, and attempted more passes it was the same story for the team as they were unable to convert their chances in the final third. With all the possession TFC decided to hang back and wait for an opportunity for a counter attack which came when the Caps turned the ball over.
Another road loss for the Whitecaps means the club will remain at the bottom of the MLS Table as well as ninth in the Western Conference. With so many players rested it also puts a large amount pressure on the entire team to come out Saturday and win the Voyageur’s Cup. This would become a disastrous season if the expansion side were unable to make the playoffs and win the Canadian Championship after the grand declarations that were made at the beginning of the season.
Image courtesy of Abelimages/Getty Images
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