In their third straight game it looked as though the Whitecaps were going to perfect on their three game home stand but a late equalizer by an under manned New York side had the game end in a 1-1 draw in front of over 20,000 supporters. It took until the seventy fifth minute for the Caps to open the scoring as Martin Bonjour scored his first of the season. However, minutes later Heath Pearce was able to level the score when he converted a cross off a short corner.
It took until the eight for the first true chance at a score as Joel Lindpere sent in a freekick which was directed on net right to Cannon who was able to catch it before it crossed the line. The Whitecaps had their chance on a free kick minutes later when the ball came to Bonjour at the edge of the box and the defender attempted to loop the ball over the keeper with a bicycle kick going over the bar.
After the Caps intercepted a ball in their box, they were able to create a chance on the counter attack where Chiumiento found himself at the top of the box. Unfortunately his curling attempt missed the opposite corner of the goal by a few feet.
Just before the half hour mark after some great buildup by the Caps, Koffie was setup by a pass by Chiumiento but the midfielder was unable to hit the target on his attempt on goal. A turnover in the final third caused by the Whitecaps led to the best chance for either team as Camilo was alone in the box with the only the keeper to beat but it looked as though the rustiness showed as his attempt failed to hit the target.
With five minutes left in the half Dax McCarty came close to converting a Dane Richards cross but the free header was sent back across and cleared by Rochat. Just before the half Camilo had another chance as he was sent in by Lee with this time the Brazilian misjudging his positioning as he attempted his shot too late in his run allowing the ball over the end line.
It took more than ten minutes after the break for the first chance on goal as Thorrington was able to find Le Toux with a long ball as the striker was able to stay onside. He was unable to control the ball but did square the ball to Camilo, at the penalty spot, who completely misfired his shot wide of the net.
Another heavy touch by Le Toux negated a great long ball sent in for him as he received the ball outside the box but sloppily pushed the ball over the end line. With twenty minutes to go second half sub Eric Hassli got his first chance on the ball as he across the defender and attempted his shot at the near post going wide by a couple of feet.
Moments later the Red Bulls got their first chance of the half as Richards was able to split DeMerit and Bonjour but a charging Cannon was able to make a diving stop clearing the ball at the same time.
The Whitecaps struck first with fifteen minutes to go in the match as Koffie sent in a cross into the box which after getting knocked around the box found its way to defender Martin Bonjour. The defender, after taking a couple of touches, fired a perfect dipping shot over Meara’s and into the far top corner of the net.
The Red Bulls attempted to get back in the game immediately as Conner Lade headed a cross on net which went directly to Cannon. After some sustained pressure the Red Bulls were able to equalize in the 86th minute when Heath Pearce connected on a cross from Lindpere, heading the ball past a helpless Cannon.
It was a game the Whitecaps had everything going for them as the Red Bulls had one less day of rest and were missing several of their key components including their two designated players and head coach. However, they were unable to breakdown the Red Bulls backline enough and when they did could not test the young keeper in goal for New York. In fact it wasn’t until the 75th minute when the Caps registered their first attempt on target when Bonjour scored his goal.
Martin Rennie felt there were two things that the Caps could learn from this game. “How we break down a team that sits a little deeper and to be clinical when we have chances and the second thing would be when we’re ahead in a game with a short time to go, making sure we see the game out.”
The Whitecaps were able to extend their unbeaten streak at home to six games in MLS and eight games overall as they now head on a long five game road trip. They will first travel to California on Saturday when they face the other glory team in MLS, the LA Galaxy, on Saturday at the Home Depot Center.
(image courtesy of Getty Images)
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