MLS Power Rankings: Week 24

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (1)

Record:  14W-3L-9D

Last Week: No Match

Next Week:  Sep 5 at Sporting Kansas City 

Galaxy feeling pressure from Sounders and will play this week without Keane

2. Seattle Sounders (2)

Record:  13W-5L-9D

Last Week:  6-2 Win vs Columbus Crew

Next Week:  No Match

Another big win for Seattle against top team in East 

Report Card: Whitecaps FC Versus Houston Dynamo

The Vancouver Whitecaps returned home to Empire Field and recorded their second straight home win with 1-0 result over the Houston Dynamo.  Shea Salinas provided the heroics, with a little help from Long Tan, as the American midfielder got the gorilla off his back scoring for the first time this year.  Other standout performances in the game against Houston included Koffie in the midfield, Rochat and Demerit on the backline, Hassli up front and Cannon in goal.

FORWARDS

Eric Hassli- Considering how much the striker was held by the Dynamo central backs, it was amazing Hassli did not file charges.  Another continuing issue is the lack of service the Frenchman receives from the current group of midfielders which forces him to create his chances on his own.  GRADE: B+

Subs Lead Caps To Victory

A goal late in the second half helped lift the Vancouver Whitecaps to their fourth victory and avoid another home draw as the home side were on the positive side of a 1-0 decision against the Houston Dynamo.  The win was the club’s second straight at Empire Field and their first cleansheet in a win or draw since June against Philadelphia.  The winning score, assisted by substitute Long Tan, was the first goal of the season and as a Whitecap for Shea Salinas.

It was almost another quick start for the Caps at Empire as Dynamo goalkeeper Tally Hall bobbled a free kick from Chuimiento but there was no attacking player able to capitalize on the subsequent scramble.  The Dynamo controlled play after that initial chance as Adam Moffat struck the bar while Cannon made a couple of saves off shots from Brad Davis.  Hall came up big once again just before the half getting his hand on a glancing header by Mustapha Jarju off a set piece.  Then in injury time Salinas, coming on as a sub for an injured Thorrington, sailed his shot over the bar after being set up by Jarju in the box. 

Houston Dynamo vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

The Vancouver Whitecaps return to Empire Field, after two road games, to face the Houston Dynamo as they for their fourth on home turf.  The two teams faced each other on April 10^th where a patchwork Caps team lost in the heat to the Dynamo by the score of 3-1.  On that day the Whitecaps were without a number of players due to suspension (Hassli and Koffie) and injury (Dunfield, Salinas and DeMerit at halftime).

MLS Power Rankings: Week 23

1. Los Angeles Galaxy (1)

Record:  14W-3L-9D

Last Week: 2-0 Win vs San Jose Earthquakes

Next Week:  Aug 28 at New York Red Bulls

Robbie Keane makes an immediate impact for the Galaxy

2. Seattle Sounders (3)

Record:  12W-5L-9D

Last Week:  1-0 Win at FC Dallas

Next Week:  Aug 27 vs Columbus Crew

Sounders gain possession of second in West with win over FCD

Caps Reserves Collapse In Injury Time

A late game collapse in injury time by the Vancouver Whitecaps allowed the Timbers to come back and win their Reserve League match by the score of 3-2.  The Caps held the lead and looked good for the victory when in the first and fourth minutes of injury time goals by Brian Umony and Peter Lowrey turned the tables on the visitors from the north.  The Whitecaps goals were by Mustapha Jarju and Omar Salgado while Lowrey opened the scoring on a penalty kick.

The majority of the play in the first half went the Timbers way and they were rewarded with a penalty kick after a hand ball by Greg Janicki.  Soon after the penalty kick conversion by Peter Lowrey, the Whitecaps tied it before the half with a perfectly placed free kick by Mustapha Jarju.  The designated player was able to just clear the line and out of the reach of the Timbers goalkeeper to the far post.

Report Card: Whitecaps FC Versus Portland Timbers

The Vancouver Whitecaps were looking for their first win on the road as they travelled to face the Timbers in Portland but in the end the club had too many passengers on this trip. The 2-1 score flattered the Whitecaps as their expansion cousins dominated, rarely allowing the Caps any chances on goal and constantly breaking down a leaky backline.


FORWARDS

Camilo- It was an off game for the normally hardworking Brazilian striker and despite that he was still able to create a goal in the box by turning the Portland defender before scoring his eighth of the season. With him being more dangerous around the box, it may be time for Soehn to put Camilo back up top at striker where he can display his natural scoring ability. GRADE: B

Caps Outclassed And Outworked By The Timbers

In a season which has had its share of disappointments as the Whitecaps failed to show up and were beaten soundly by the Portland Timbers 2-1, a scoreline which flattered the visitors.  Like most of the games this season the Whitecaps were disorganized at the back and failed to show creativity moving forward.  The Timbers were helped by two first half goals by Colombians Jorge Perlaza and Diego Chara while the Caps were able to salvage a late score by Camilo.

The game couldn’t have started out worse for the Whitecaps as they were caught flat and Portland’s young designated player Chara volleyed a shot past Cannon within the first five minutes.  The Timbers continued to press and collect quality chances while the Whitecaps whipped in crosses that were easily cleared out of the box.  Portland doubled their lead off a corner as Perlaza caught a couple of Vancouver defenders looking at the ball in the box and deposited in the back of the net.  Another great run by the two Colombians almost gave the Timbers a three goal lead into the half but the two goal lead would stand into halftime.

Portand Timbers vs Whitecaps FC Match Preview

Vancouver and their expansion cousins, Portland, renew their long rivalry for the first time in MLS as the Caps visit the Timbers at Jeld Wen Field on Saturday.  While both teams sit on the bottom half of the Western Conference table, it is clear the Timbers are enjoying more success in the first year as they sit two points higher with six additional points.  It is the Whitecaps second game of the Cascadia Cup while it will be Portland’s third game and both clubs have a single point so far.

Harris Goes Under The Knife Again

It was announced by the Whitecaps that striker Atiba Harris recently underwent a follow up surgery to his right knee.  The original surgery was performed, to the meniscus of his right knee, back in April and has sidelined the MLS veteran for most of the year.  This type of surgery allows the recipient to start putting weight on it within a week or two but a return to soccer may not be possible this year.  The Caps are hopeful that Harris may return to some action in the month of October when the team will play five league and two reserve matches.  However, there will be no need to rush the striker back if he is deemed not ready by the medical staff.  The expansion draft pick up has played in five matches this season and contributed with two goals and three assists.