The busy Vancouver Whitecaps (W7-L7-D3, 24pts – 4th Western Conference) played their third match in eight days against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. Despite falling behind early, the Whitecaps scored three unanswered goals to beat Philly by a final score of 3-2.
Stayin’ Alive?
Major League Soccer recently took a two week break for the Copa América Centenario, which has been hosted in cities across the United States. The break came at somewhat of an inconvenient time for Vancouver, who were enjoying their best run of the season. The Whitecaps went into the break with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss in their previous five matches.
The Whitecaps were not idle during the first half of June, with 3 players away representing their countries at the Copa América and the rest of the team playing a pair of Voyageur’s Cup semifinal matches against the Ottawa Fury.
MLS resumed play last weekend, and the Caps looked less than convincing in the 2-1 loss to the New England Revolution. Add the 1-0 midweek Voyageur’s Cup first leg loss to Toronto FC into the mix, and concerns about the Whitecaps’ form and consistency were back at the forefront.
Vancouver fell behind early when Roland Alberg put the home side on the board in the 14th minute. The goal, and apparent handball by former Whitecap Sebastian Le Toux, appeared to motivate Vancouver, who scored their first goal of the match through defender Andrew Jacobson just five minutes later.
Engage superspeed mode ⚽️🏃💨#VWFC #PHIvVAN pic.twitter.com/gUvrGn2Dg7
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) June 25, 2016
Before it was over the ‘Caps added goals from Kekuta Manneh and Christian Bolaños. The Union managed pull within a goal late in second half injury time, but Vancouver manged to hang on for the win.
This was only the second come-from-behind win since September 2014 for the Whitecaps, and ended the Union’s 10-match undefeated streak at Talen Energy Stadium.
No Rivero, No Problem?
Rumours have been running rampant in recent days that Whitecaps striker Octavio Rivero is on the verge of signing a deal with Chilean club Colo Colo. While a transfer has not been announced by either the Whitecaps or Colo Colo, Rivero was not dressed for the match against the Union.
Octavio Rivero is currently with the team in Pennsylvania but will not dress for the match. We have no further comment at this time. #VWFC
— Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) June 25, 2016
With no Rivero, and Masato Kudo still out with a broken jaw, Carl Robinson opted to start the once again relevant Erik Hurtado. Hurtado, who was loaned to Norwegian club Mjøndalen IF last season, has been enjoying a personal renaissance with the Whitecaps in recent months.
Hurtado had another good match for the Whitecaps. Bolaños, who represented Costa Rica at the Copa América, had a quiet match, but delivered when it mattered. With less than 10 minutes left in the match Bolaños scored Vancouver’s third goal of the night and effectively put the match beyond the reach of the Union.
Gol de Christian Bolaños (@BOLACRIS7) en la MLS pic.twitter.com/vSoXUsSFNe
— TDMás (@tdmas_cr) June 26, 2016
A.J. A-OK
When the Vancouver Whitecaps made a trade with New York City FC for Andrew Jacobson earlier this season, the journeyman midfielder was somewhat of an unknown quantity for the majority of Whitecaps fans.
The signing was obviously a move to bolster the depth of Carl Robinson’s squad, but it has proved to be one of the Welshman’s best, and possibly most underrated signings to date.
Andrew "2016 Unsung Hero" Jacobson.
— Jay Duke (@jay_duke) June 25, 2016
Jacobson has made just 10 appearances for the team so far, but 30-year-old midfielder brings a wealth of 7 MLS seasons with him, and his dependability and calming influence to those around him have made him an important asset to the team.
Right place. Right time. Andrew Jacobson provides the equalizer for @WhitecapsFC. #PHIvVAN https://t.co/YlALsS80nc
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 25, 2016
In addition to another solid outing replacing the suspended Kendall Waston, Jacobson also proved he can score the occasional goal. The goal, which is only his 7th of his MLS career, came five minutes after the Union opened the scoring.
Jacobson was quickest to react after Philly ‘keeper Andre Blake mishandling of Bolaños’ corner kick. He escaped his marker, and nodded the ball past another defender at the back post to get the Caps on the board.
The goal will have added meaning for Jacobson, who played for the Union for one season back in 2010.
Final Thoughts
The win over the Union was very important for Robinson and his team. The ‘Caps stumbled in the 2-1 loss against the New England Revolution last weekend, but were still managed to hang onto 5th spot in the Western Conference.
The Whitecaps have now moved into 4th spot in the Western Conference. The result of the San Jose Earthquakes versus LA Galaxy match is important to Vancouver. A win by either team will see them move ahead of the ‘Caps in the standings.
There is little time for the Whitecaps to rest and celebrate the win over the Union. The team will now travel back to Vancouver, and will play Toronto FC in the Voyageur’s Cup finale on Wednesday night at BC Place.
Match Details
Man of the Match: David Ousted
Referee: Armando Villarreal
Attendance: 17,225
Scoring Summary
14’ – PHI – Roland Alberg (Sebastien Le Toux)
19’ – VAN – Andrew Jacobson
41’ – VAN – Kekuta Manneh (Pedro Morales)
84’ – VAN – Christian Bolaños (Erik Hurtado)
90’ + 4’ – PHI – Chris Pontius
Stats
Possession: Philadelphia 53.3 % – Vancouver 46.7 %
Shots: Philadelphia 21 – Vancouver 10
Shots on Goal: Philadelphia 4 – Vancouver 6
Saves: Philadelphia 3 – Vancouver 2
Fouls: Philadelphia 7 – Vancouver 14
Offsides: Philadelphia 1 – Vancouver 1
Corners: Philadelphia 6 – Vancouver 5
Cautions
36’ – PHI – Tranquillo Barnetta
51’ – VAN – Kekuta Manneh
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 6.Jordan Smith, 17.Andrew Jacobson, 26.Tim Parker, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 77.Pedro Morales (31.Russell Teibert 65’); 7.Christian Bolaños, 11.Nicolás Mezquida (27.Blas Pérez 75’), 23.Kekuta Manneh (13.Cristian Techera 79’); 19.Erik Hurtado
Substitutes not used
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 3.Sam Adekugbe, 8.Fraser Aird, 14.Cole Seiler
Philadelphia Union
1.Andre Blake; 12.Keegan Rosenberry, 15.Joshua Yaro, 16.Richie Marquez, 33.Fabinho (22.Leo Fernandez 82’); 7.Brian Carroll, 10.Tranquillo Barnetta; 25.Ilsinho (13.Chris Pontius 65’), 6.Roland Alberg, 9.Sebastien Le Toux; 11.Fabian Herbers (20.Walter Restrepo 75’)
Substitutes not used
27.John McCarthy, 2.Warren Creavalle, 4.Ken Tribbett, 28.Raymon Gaddis
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