MLS – Fans Were Seeing Red While Watching the White and Blue

There’s no shortage of excitement when the Vancouver Whitecaps play at home as fans found out on Wednesday night when the Whitecaps hosted the New England Revolution.

The Caps held onto a 1-0 even after going down to nine men, played their hearts out but unfortunately the Revolution were able to score in injury time to tie the game 1-1.

“It’s not something you want to have, we played so hard, we battled even when we were down, but really in the end a soccer game isn’t 90 minutes, it’s 91-92 or even 94 and you have to play hard until the final whistle,” said Caps defender Alain Rochat who was by far one of the best Whitecaps players on Wednesday.

A very chippy game between the two teams saw referee Baldomero Toledo hand out a total of six yellow cards and three red cards, two of which went to the Vancouver Whitecaps.

“You can’t let the referee decide the outcome of the game, and we can’t blame him for what happened, but hopefully the league will take a look at some of the judgements that were made and go from there”, said Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit who didn’t play because of a sore groin.

Even though Eric Hassli served his one game suspension he remained on the bench to start the game while Camilo and Atiba Harris started up front.

Unfortunately for the Caps they lost both central midfielders Terry Dunfield to injury and Gershon Koffie to a red card meaning he will no be able to travel with the team to Houston to take on the Dynamo on Sunday.

While down a man in the second half striker Camilo was hauled down in the penalty area for a penalty shot.

Eric Hassli stepped up easily put the ball into the back of the net however while already on a yellow card Hassli took his jersey off and threw it into the crowd which led to his second yellow meaning a red card putting the Whitecaps down to nine men virtually the entire second half.

“I didn’t know if I had another jersey on underneath I would get a card,” said Hassli through a translator.

“I am very sorry to my teammates, I am very sorry to my coaches and the fans, all I was trying to do was get the fans involved to help the team because we were down a man, I never intended to put my team in a position like I did and again I want to apologize,” added Hassli through his French translator.

Vancouver still managed to hold on for “dear life” as Jay DeMerit put it before giving up a goal in the 92nd minute to let the New England Revolution tie the game 1-1.

“I don’t know how to feel right now.” Said head coach Teitur Thordason.

“A part of me is so happy with the way the guys were able to hold on when we had nine guys, it showed our character and how we are together as a team, but on the other hand I am a little disappointed in some aspects of the game including Eric’s red card.”

Vancouver will now be without Gershon Koffie, Eric Hassli and possibly Terry Dunfield for Sunday’s game in Houston.

Unfortunately for the Caps they may be without striker Eric Hassli for more than one game as it’s his second red card in as many games and may receive disciplinary action from the league.

Vancouver returns to action on Sunday when they take on the Houston Dynamo in Houston.

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