Watch: World's most embarrassing dive occurs during Whitecaps match (VIDEO)

TSN

Well, that was embarrassing.

The dive, not the match.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC and New York City FC played the most entertaining match of the season on Wednesday at BC Place.

It had everything. Goals, saves, passion, controversy… and one of the most embarrassing dives you’ve ever seen.

That’s Yangel Herrera of New York City FC getting bumped by Whitecaps striker Fredy Montero.

As if flopping wasn’t embarrassing enough, he went down clutching his face as well.

You would call it an Oscar-worthy performance if the acting wasn’t so poor.

Somehow, some way, Montero received a yellow card for this while Herrera – who already had a yellow card – received nothing. He ought to be suspended for trying to cheat New York’s way to victory.

Anyways, back to the match.

If you could get past the dive, it was thoroughly entertaining.

A sellout crowd of 22,120 was on hand on a Wednesday night to see a star-studded NYC FC side that features Andrea Pirlo and David Villa.

But it was the Whitecaps who got on the board first.

Fredy Montero scored in the third minute, before Maxime Chanot levelled the match in the 34th minute. Then, minutes later, some theatrics led to getting a lead for the visitors.

Yes, that’s Thomas McNamara acting like he was clocked by Whitecaps captain Kendall Waston. In reality, he probably felt the wind on his face.

Unfortunately for Vancouver, it led to David Villa scoring on a penalty, giving New York City a 2-1 lead at half time.

It was frustrating for the Whitecaps, who began to lose their cool.

“I said to the players, ‘I want to keep eleven men on the field, reset, refocus, and just get back to basics,’” Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson said. And that’s exactly what they did.

In the second half, the Whitecaps woke up, putting together an offensive barrage that wound up winning them the game.

Managing to keep their emotions in check, they got an important goal from left back Jordan Harvey in the 54th minute.

Then Yordy Reyna, owner of the best hair in Vancouver, made his home debut.

Best hair in Vancouver? #VWFC pic.twitter.com/6w98r6M2Ea

— Rob Williams (@RobTheHockeyGuy) July 6, 2017

The second-half substitute scored the winner in the 88th minute, after some great work on the build up from midfielder Cristian Techera and rookie right back Jake Nerwinski.

Reyna thundered a header home, then ripped off his shirt, as BC Place was sent into a frenzy.

The win was a huge one for Vancouver, who are back into a playoff spot in the Western Conference with a 7W-7L-3D record.

MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Fredy Montero
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Attendance: 22,120

Scoring Summary
3′ – VAN – Fredy Montero (Brek Shea)
34′ – NYC – Maxime Chanot (RJ Allen, Andrea Pirlo)
40′ – NYC – David Villa (penalty kick)
54′ – VAN – Jordan Harvey (Christian Bolaños)
88′ – VAN – Yordy Reyna (Jake Nerwinski, Cristian Techera)

Statistics
Possession: Vancouver 39.2% – New York City 60.8%
Shots: Vancouver 10 – New York City 20
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 6 – New York City 5
Saves: Vancouver 3 – New York City 3
Fouls: Vancouver 12 – New York City 12
Offsides: Vancouver 1 – New York City 0
Corners: Vancouver 5 – New York City 10

Cautions
17′ – NYC – Yangel Herrera
23′ – VAN – Brek Shea
39′ – VAN – Kendall Waston
43′ – VAN – Fredy Montero
56′ – NYC – Jack Harrison
68′ – NYC – Alexander Ring
75′ – VAN – Tony Tchani
88′ – VAN – Yordy Reyna

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 26.Tim Parker, 2.Jordan Harvey; 8.Andrew Jacobson (23.Bernie Ibini 84′), 16.Tony Tchani; 13.Cristian Techera, 7.Christian Bolaños, 20.Brek Shea (29.Yordy Reyna 65′); 12.Fredy Montero (19.Erik Hurtado 90’+1′)

Substitutes not used
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 11.Nicolás Mezquida, 22.Christian Dean, 77.Mauro Rosales

New York City FC
25.Eirik Johansen; 27.RJ Allen (5.Mikey Lopez 65′), 4.Maxime Chanot, 6.Alexander Callens, 2.Ben Sweat; 8.Alexander Ring, 21.Andrea Pirlo (10.Maximiliano Moralez 75′), 30.Yangel Herrera (13.Frederic Brillant 53′); 11.Jack Harrison, 7.David Villa ©, 15.Thomas McNamara

Substitutes not used
24.Andre Rawls, 3.Ethan White, 14.Kwame Awuah, 17.Jonathan Lewis

See also