Whitecaps Feel The Heat As They Lose To Dynamo 3-1

The Vancouver Whitecaps went on their second road trip of their MLS franchise and once again they came up on the losing end as they lost to the Houston Dynamo 3-1. Three of the four goals were scored  came in the final 10 minutes of  the first half as Houston opened the scoring after which the Caps levelled the score a minute later.  The winning goal was scored just before halftime where an injury to Captain Jay DeMerit contributed significantly to the score.  Late in the second half 1^st overall MLS draft pick Omar Salgado made his professional debut.  It was clear by the end of the match that the Whitecaps were suffering from the heat as they unable to handle the high humidity of the Houston night.

Camilo and Chiumiento

For the majority of the first half the Houston Dynamo controlled the majority of possession sometimes the percentage being in the mid-sixties.  The only chance the Caps were able to muster was a one on one battle in which Camilo was taken down by Canadian international Andre Hainault in the box which was waived by the referee.  The Dynamo was able to create a couple of opportunities both by midfielder Danny Cruz, one where he ripped a shot off the crossbar.  The relentless pressure by Houston paid off in the 36^th minute when off a corner kick a Dynamo player headed the ball towards net and Cam Weaver fired the ball past Jay Nolly.

Houston vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

 

Report Card: Whitecaps FC Versus Revolution

The Whitecaps were two minutes away from collecting an impressive three points considering they played more than 30 minutes with at least one man down and a period of 18 minutes with two men down.  Despite giving up the injury time goal, the Caps turned in their best defensive performance as the entire backline as well as the goalkeeper had their best performances this year.  With the ejections and injuries, the team was playing a 4-3-1 formation and forced many players into the game earlier than expected. 

FORWARDS

Atiba Harris- Many had reservations about Harris being a starting forward, with some in the media claiming he couldn’t hit the side of a barn but he does so many other things that make him valuable.  Harris did a great job holding up the ball as his teammates joined in the attack and creating havoc in the final third which eventually earned AJ Soares a red card.  He also leads the league in assists.  GRADE: B+

Caps Unable To Hold Off Revolution And Referee

The Whitecaps had the tables turned on them as they were the team to lose a lead in injury time and give up two points as the Caps drew the Revolution 1-1.  However that was not the story at the end of the game as the main focus of supporters and the media was the referee and the amount of cards that were handed out in the match.  By the end of the game there were three players ejected, two of them with immediate red cards and designated player Eric Hassli with a boneheaded second yellow for removing his shirt.

Khalfan

The cards began early as Toledo, the referee, handed out a yellow to Atiba Harris in the sixth for a strong tackle.  The flow of the game was wide open despite the cautions which by 25^th minute had increased to three, 2 for the Caps and 1 for the Revolution.  Atiba Harris and Camilo both had chances on the net with being stopped by Shuttlesworth in the 21^st and then Camilo cut to the centre only to strike the ball wide in the 36^th minute.  The Revolution came close to scoring in the first half when off a corner kick midfielder Steve McCarthy headed the ball towards goal only to be cleared off the line by Nizar Khalfan.  Before halftime the Caps lost their starting CMs as Terry Dunifeld was substituted off by John Thorrington due to an injury and Gershon Koffie received a straight red from an apparent elbow.

New England vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

Formation Moron: Camilo's First Goal

In two games at home the Whitecaps have scored seven goals, including three goals late in the stunning comeback against Sporting KC.  When setting up a game plan to attack the opposition the typical fan assumes that the most important passer would be a central midfielder.  This is not the case for the Whitecaps as all their goals have been set up by either the right or left midfielders.  The reason the assits are coming from these positions is the team is very quick to spread the defense by creating width.  In addition the strikers are good at locating the open spaces in the box.  Let’s look at Camilo’s first goal of injury time to see an example of how the Whitecaps spread out the defenders.

MLS Power Rankings: Week 3

Week 3 in the MLS saw many draw and because of this there was very little movement in the rankings after this weekend's action.  The only teams to move down were clubs that lost by 2+ goals as DC United lost to Colorado 4-1 and FC Dallas lost to Columbus 2-0.  Although other teams (Whitecaps, Revolution, Dynamo) moved up multiple spots, the Crew were the only team to move up more than a spot with a victory.


Last week's rankings in parentheses

1. Real Salt Lake (1)

Record: 2W-0L-0D

Last Week:  No Match

Next Week:  Apr 9 at New England

RSL had the week off to prepare for 2^nd Leg of the CCL before facing the Revolution on the road.

Report Card: Whitecaps FC Versus Sporting KC

After providing the home crowd so much excitement in the opening match of the franchise, the Whitecaps followed up with a draw that many (media, players and supporters) claim was more memorable than the win against TFC.  In the final 20 minutes, plus an extraordinary 5 minutes of injury time, the Caps turned a game that would have seen them face criticism and ridicule from the MLS world into a game that will be a highlight of their first season.  Of course the grades below would have been lower if they didn’t score the two goals in injury time and they might be a little higher because of the comeback.

Forwards

Camilo

Camilo:  The diminutive Brazilian striker who torched the Maltese League last year announced his arrival in the MLS world with his two injury time goals.  Camilo was involved in the setup of the first goal by Atiba Harris.  His grade would have been high even without the goals as he created some great chances for himself and his teammates that weren’t finished.   GRADE:  A-

Atiba Harris:  Another goal and solid performance by Atiba Harris in his third match with the Whitecaps.  While he doesn’t have the greatest firsttouch, Harris consistently battles up front and is a load for defenders to handle which opens space for teammates.  Even on his goal he made the wise decision by just guiding the ball into the net.  GRADE:  B

Whitecaps Come Back To Shock Sporting KC

The Whitecaps were able rally from a three goal deficit in an amazing finish and continued their success at home with a 3-3 draw against Sporting Kansas City.  It didn’t look promising going into injury time as the home squad was down two goals with an extra five minutes to be added on and some of 20,000 plus crowd heading to the exits.  However in those final minutes those people missed an incredible finish as Brazilian striker Camilo found the back of net twice, set up by subs Davide Chiumiento and Nizar Khalfan.

Camilo

The Whitecaps started the game attacking the former Wizards but the visitors were able to control possession.  It was obvious early on that former Canadian Teal Bunbury would be booed every time he touched the ball and there were chants of “traitor” reigning down from the supporters.  The Caps started some runs down the right side as Dunfield, Leathers and Knight were able connect effectively.  Sporting KC’s goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was able to make several big saves, especially off of Camilo and Harris, and keep the match goalless.  Then in injury time of the the 1^st half the visitors stunned the home crowd as Bunbury scored from about 18 yards out and Kansas City went into the half with the lead.

Sporting Kansas City vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview