Report and Reaction: Pair of Deuces condemns Whitecaps to more playoff disappointment
“Look
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture
Or just let it slip?”
So said Eminem clearly in a premonition of what would play out in Vancouver Whitecaps two-legged semi-final against Seattle Sounders 15 years later. One shot was all the Whitecaps could muster over two playoff games against the Sounders. Abysmal some will say. It’s hard to disagree. But one thing we can all agree on, you’re not going to win if you do that.”
And they didn’t.
Vancouver went down to a 2-0 defeat in Seattle on Thursday evening. Two goals down both on the night and on aggregate, as Seattle simply outclassed an uninspired Vancouver side that got what they deserved – their season to end.
Clint Dempsey was the difference maker, as he has been so often in the past for the Sounders. A pair of second half goals killed the Whitecaps dead, and although they stayed in the match to the last couple of minutes, it was always hard to see them coming away with what they needed.
It started off promisingly, in the biggest will they, won’t they since Ross and Rachel, Yordy Reyna and Cristian Techera were good to start the second leg, after being on the bench for Sunday’s game with “knocks”. It always looked like a clear Robbo ruse, but he’ll probably never admit that!
Vancouver clearly had out their best and most attacking line-up. One still capable of defending en masse, but with enough offensive sparks to pounce on any slip or space left by Seattle.
The opening minutes were already more entertaining that Sunday’s borefest, but Will Bruin’s low 14th minute effort straight at Stefan Marinovic was the only threat to breaking the deadlock.
It was still all pretty cagey, with both teams aware of what one mistake could mean, but Seattle were moving forward well, sending a number of crosses into the box, which the Vancouver defence dealt with with ease.
Whitecaps’ hearts were in their mouth with ten minutes of the half remaining, when Nouhou went down in the box under a challenge from Jake Nerwinski. The ‘Caps right back was injured and had to be replaced by Jordan Harvey, but in the time treatment was administered, it allowed referee Baldomero Toledo to decide to go to VAR, which it felt was under pressure from the Seattle players and fans, but his original decision of no penalty stood.
It looked like a penalty, it has to be said, and the ‘Caps got some of the luck Carl Robinson had talked about his team needing. They got even more two minutes into stoppage time when the Sounders had the best chance of the game so far, but couldn’t take advantage of it.
Nicolas Lodeiro sent a long diagonal ball to Clint Dempsey at the back of the box and the US international’s shot flew inches past the left post, just eluding the diving Bruin on the way.
So 0-0 at half time. A scoreline that suited Vancouver, but if it was to stay the same at the end of the 90 minutes, with the away goal rule then rescinded, it would feel like advantage Seattle. It wasn’t to come to that.
The scene was set for what was sure to be a nervy second half for both teams and it showed in the early stages, with Vancouver not wanting to commit too much going forward.
Seattle were enjoying possession but not getting much of a look at goal, with a deflected 55th minute Lodeiro effort the best they had to show for it. The Sounders kept the pressure on from the subsequent corner, with the Whitecaps unable to get the ball forward.
That led to Will Bruin running towards goal and playing the ball inside to Harry Shipp, who slipped but played the ball forward to Dempsey, and the Sounders dangerman curled a beauty from the top of the box past Marinovic to make it 1-0 Seattle.
The complexion of the game changed, but albeit only slightly. Vancouver knew they now definitely needed to score, and the away goal rule meant that they were only one strike from being ahead in the tie for the first time. The same as it was as the start of the match. It’s just you didn’t fancy the ‘Caps to get it.
There was still no major rush or need for panic from the Whitecaps. There was a definite increase in urgency from Vancouver though, with the ‘Caps taking the game to the Sounders far more than in the previous game and a half.
While a Vancouver goal would see them in the driving seat, a second for Seattle and you knew it was going to be game over. Dempsey tried to get it in the 72nd minute, firing over after a nice one-two with Lodeiro.
Dempsey had another effort, this time from a free kick, dangerously curl over with six minutes remaining, but he wasn’t to be denied a second and brilliantly finished a Victor Rodriguez ball to the back post in the 88th minute to secure Seattle’s win and kill Vancouver stone dead.
After the excitement and spark generated by Vancouver’s 5-0 rout of San Jose, it felt that the Whitecaps season ended with a giant flop. Again. Poor form to close out the regular season and flat performances in both matches against Seattle leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.
To have just one shot on target over both legs against Seattle is inexcusable. This was a squad that offered so much, but failed to deliver. The question that remains now is “what’s next”?
FINAL SCORE: Seattle Sounders 2 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps [Seattle win 2-0 on aggregate]
ATT: 39,587
SEATTLE: Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Nouhou; Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Harry Shipp (Victor Rodriguez 67), Clint Dempsey, Joevin Jones (Gustav Svensson 60); Will Bruin (Lamar Neagle 90+1) [Subs Not Used: Tyler Miller, Tony Alfaro, Jordy Delem, Henry Wingo]
VANCOUVER: Stefan Marinovic; Jake Nerwinski (Jordan Harvey 36), Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Marcel De Jong (Brek Shea 80); Aly Ghazal, Nosa Igiebor, Christian Bolanos, Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera (Alphonso Davies 64); Fredy Montero [Subs Not Used: David Ousted, Tony Tchani, Nicolas Mezquida, Bernie Ibini]
*** Reaction from both teams to follow ***
Read Further on AFTN.ca
“Look
If you had
One shot
Or one opportunity
To seize everything you ever wanted
In one moment
Would you capture
Or just let it slip?”
So said Eminem clearly in a premonition of what would play out in Vancouver Whitecaps two-legged semi-final against Seattle Sounders 15 years later. One shot was all the Whitecaps could muster over two playoff games against the Sounders. Abysmal some will say. It’s hard to disagree. But one thing we can all agree on, you’re not going to win if you do that.”
And they didn’t.
Vancouver went down to a 2-0 defeat in Seattle on Thursday evening. Two goals down both on the night and on aggregate, as Seattle simply outclassed an uninspired Vancouver side that got what they deserved – their season to end.
Clint Dempsey was the difference maker, as he has been so often in the past for the Sounders. A pair of second half goals killed the Whitecaps dead, and although they stayed in the match to the last couple of minutes, it was always hard to see them coming away with what they needed.
It started off promisingly, in the biggest will they, won’t they since Ross and Rachel, Yordy Reyna and Cristian Techera were good to start the second leg, after being on the bench for Sunday’s game with “knocks”. It always looked like a clear Robbo ruse, but he’ll probably never admit that!
Vancouver clearly had out their best and most attacking line-up. One still capable of defending en masse, but with enough offensive sparks to pounce on any slip or space left by Seattle.
The opening minutes were already more entertaining that Sunday’s borefest, but Will Bruin’s low 14th minute effort straight at Stefan Marinovic was the only threat to breaking the deadlock.
It was still all pretty cagey, with both teams aware of what one mistake could mean, but Seattle were moving forward well, sending a number of crosses into the box, which the Vancouver defence dealt with with ease.
Whitecaps’ hearts were in their mouth with ten minutes of the half remaining, when Nouhou went down in the box under a challenge from Jake Nerwinski. The ‘Caps right back was injured and had to be replaced by Jordan Harvey, but in the time treatment was administered, it allowed referee Baldomero Toledo to decide to go to VAR, which it felt was under pressure from the Seattle players and fans, but his original decision of no penalty stood.
It looked like a penalty, it has to be said, and the ‘Caps got some of the luck Carl Robinson had talked about his team needing. They got even more two minutes into stoppage time when the Sounders had the best chance of the game so far, but couldn’t take advantage of it.
Nicolas Lodeiro sent a long diagonal ball to Clint Dempsey at the back of the box and the US international’s shot flew inches past the left post, just eluding the diving Bruin on the way.
So 0-0 at half time. A scoreline that suited Vancouver, but if it was to stay the same at the end of the 90 minutes, with the away goal rule then rescinded, it would feel like advantage Seattle. It wasn’t to come to that.
The scene was set for what was sure to be a nervy second half for both teams and it showed in the early stages, with Vancouver not wanting to commit too much going forward.
Seattle were enjoying possession but not getting much of a look at goal, with a deflected 55th minute Lodeiro effort the best they had to show for it. The Sounders kept the pressure on from the subsequent corner, with the Whitecaps unable to get the ball forward.
That led to Will Bruin running towards goal and playing the ball inside to Harry Shipp, who slipped but played the ball forward to Dempsey, and the Sounders dangerman curled a beauty from the top of the box past Marinovic to make it 1-0 Seattle.
The complexion of the game changed, but albeit only slightly. Vancouver knew they now definitely needed to score, and the away goal rule meant that they were only one strike from being ahead in the tie for the first time. The same as it was as the start of the match. It’s just you didn’t fancy the ‘Caps to get it.
There was still no major rush or need for panic from the Whitecaps. There was a definite increase in urgency from Vancouver though, with the ‘Caps taking the game to the Sounders far more than in the previous game and a half.
While a Vancouver goal would see them in the driving seat, a second for Seattle and you knew it was going to be game over. Dempsey tried to get it in the 72nd minute, firing over after a nice one-two with Lodeiro.
Dempsey had another effort, this time from a free kick, dangerously curl over with six minutes remaining, but he wasn’t to be denied a second and brilliantly finished a Victor Rodriguez ball to the back post in the 88th minute to secure Seattle’s win and kill Vancouver stone dead.
After the excitement and spark generated by Vancouver’s 5-0 rout of San Jose, it felt that the Whitecaps season ended with a giant flop. Again. Poor form to close out the regular season and flat performances in both matches against Seattle leave you with a sour taste in your mouth.
To have just one shot on target over both legs against Seattle is inexcusable. This was a squad that offered so much, but failed to deliver. The question that remains now is “what’s next”?
FINAL SCORE: Seattle Sounders 2 – 0 Vancouver Whitecaps [Seattle win 2-0 on aggregate]
ATT: 39,587
SEATTLE: Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, Nouhou; Cristian Roldan, Nicolas Lodeiro, Harry Shipp (Victor Rodriguez 67), Clint Dempsey, Joevin Jones (Gustav Svensson 60); Will Bruin (Lamar Neagle 90+1) [Subs Not Used: Tyler Miller, Tony Alfaro, Jordy Delem, Henry Wingo]
VANCOUVER: Stefan Marinovic; Jake Nerwinski (Jordan Harvey 36), Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Marcel De Jong (Brek Shea 80); Aly Ghazal, Nosa Igiebor, Christian Bolanos, Yordy Reyna, Cristian Techera (Alphonso Davies 64); Fredy Montero [Subs Not Used: David Ousted, Tony Tchani, Nicolas Mezquida, Bernie Ibini]
*** Reaction from both teams to follow ***
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