MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

'Caps move back into a tie for the final playoff spot

Published on September 7, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-6L-13D) were held to a scoreless draw with Eastern Conference leading D.C. United (14W-8L-5D) Saturday night at BC Place.

The 'Caps held their own against the Supporters' Shield contenders, who have conceded the fewest goals in the Eastern Conference, but had to settle for a point in a game that saw goalkeeper 42664aa4b815bd204d88ba484 David Ousted claim his eighth clean sheet of the season, which is tied for the league lead.

The result increases Vancouver's point total to 34 on the season, moving them into a tie with fifth-place Portland Timbers for the fifth and final playoff position in the Western Conference. Both teams have eight matches remaining.

Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made two changes to his starting lineup, as well as a switch to a 4-4-2 diamond midfield formation, after last week's 3-0 loss to Portland.

Right back 338ec752a3fd58ddd045fe7f4 Ethen Sampson, who had four tackles before going down with a cramp in the 54th minute, replaced an injured 4903134a8a1151263a504108c Steven Beitashour (hip) to make his first-ever MLS appearance. 8d064d8f1e0d6b5b801d02506 Sebastian Fernandez also came in for c04e81344826e77ea3401d266 Kekuta Manneh and formed a strike partnership with 0094326a20de537ed7e78f871 Darren Mattocks. This was the first time the Uruguayan has started as a striker all season.

The changes seemed to have their desired effect, as the 'Caps got off to a positive start and dictated the tempo for most of the first half. Possession was almost dead even in the opening frame, but Vancouver looked the more dangerous side.

Whitecaps FC's best chance of the half came just after the half-hour mark, when centre back a7b2a1459f6b40e35c6736e3d Kendall Waston headed a 233fac8dd5a05dcf7535eb635 Pedro Morales free kick inches wide. Mattocks, who had four of Vancouver's nine first-half shots, also came close to putting the 'Caps ahead.

The Jamaican had a pair of half chances within the fist 15 minutes and another quality opportunity in first-half stoppage time, when 1ad5b537466c8f5dec971ad0f Mauro Rosales released him down the right. But standout D.C. United goalkeeper Bill Hamid was there to make one of his two first-half saves.

Ousted also made a pair of saves in the opening 45 minutes - both off tricky strikes from just outside the area. D.C. United's best chance actually came in the 39th minute, when Fabian Espindola chipped a nice ball from Luis Silva just over the goal from in tight.

Things tightened up a little more after the break, though Whitecaps FC did have an early opportunity. In the 50th minute, df7dccbdd97aad62bf67d309c Russell Teibert found abd6e4e42b0f968c91d49e81d Jordan Harvey at the near post but the fullback sent his diving header just wide.

There wasn't much space either way in the second half. The 'Caps saw a lot more of the ball, especially in the latter part of the interval, but couldn't penetrate a D.C. United back line that appeared content to drop deep in their own end.

A pair of second-half substitutes gave Vancouver a late spark, as Manneh and 29bb7a6fb95f75d21ca9c1d93 Mehdi Ballouchy pushed forward in the dying stages. In the 83rd minute, Manneh played a nice one-two with Ballouchy, who went to ground before he was able to get off a shot.

Moments later, Manneh broke into the left side of the box before sending his left-footed effort across the face of goal. It was one of Vancouver's 15 shots on the night, compared to D.C. United's nine, but it wasn't enough to get the 'Caps back in the win column.

Saturday was Vancouver's final match against an Eastern Conference opponent this season - they conclude with a 4W-0L-6D record.

The 'Caps are right back it on Wednesday, when they host San Jose Earthquakes in a midweek clash at BC Place. Longtime fan favourite Carl Valentine will be inducted into the Whitecaps FC Ring of Honour prior to the match. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT and tickets are still available at 095a569c44800f9dbb64dac96 whitecapsfc.com/tickets.

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from September 7, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central