ORLANDO, Fla. – Having not played a game so far, Vancouver Whitecaps FC sat at the advantage of knowing a bit more about the shape of their group. However, a dominating nil-nil draw against defending champions Seattle gave San Jose Earthquakes a real confidence boost moving forward. Both sides took to the field with something to prove, and a desire to grab this group by the scruff of it’s neck.
San Jose Comeback Against Vancouver in a 98 Minute Thriller
For Vancouver, it was a predicted line up featuring Reyna as a false nine. Nerwinski made the start at right back over Janio Bikel, who later was deemed as out for the remainder of the tournament with a strain in his leg. Tommy Thomson made a surprise appearance at right back for San Jose, who were lead by Andy Rios at striker.
A lead against the run of play
A dream start for Vancouver, taking a 1-0 lead in just the seventh minute. Ali Adnan put his head down and drove 60 yards, wearing between defenders before curling one far post on his right foot. Then, Reyna took the ball from inside his own half, leading to an own goal from Judson 22 minutes in.
However, this lead seemed little flawed, given San Jose’s relentless pressure on Max Crepeau. Veselinovic (who made his first MLS start tonight) had seven blocks in the first half alone. The Earthquakes went on to rack up 22 corners, with 25 shots flung towards the Vancouver net. Yet an Andy Rios dangling foot closed the gap to 2-1 with a corner piece goal just before the halftime whistle.
No changes came out of the break for either side, with both sides seeming alright with their positioning. However it was the Whitecaps who were faster out of the gate, with Milinkovic intercepting a bad pass from Vega, who managed to square it to Dajome for the Columbian’s first MLS goal just before the hour mark.
Familiar faces strike again
Facing the possibility of gaining just one point from the first two games, Matias Almeyda brought on a wave of reinforcements, with four subs (including MLS record holder Chris Wondolowski and former ‘Cap Shea Salinas) coming on in the 63rd. The fresh injection of life sprung immediately into action, with Wondolowski making it 3-2 with a close range finish.
Due to separate reasons, Vancouver was without three of their main attacking options tonight, so the two youngsters Raposo and Bair made their way onto the field at around the 80th minute. Seconds later, it was the Whitecaps at the other end of the field who were caught napping, with Khmiri being beaten in the air by Oswaldo Alanis off of another corner.
Due to large substitutions, multiple goals and every other reason imaginable, eight minutes of stoppage time were added. Vancouver were on the back foot (like they had been for the last 97 minutes), when their former draft pick Shea Salinas decided to spin the game on its head. Driving from the half way line past, shrugging off the opposition, he straight lined it towards Crepeau.
A poor, half hearted challenge from Veselinovic gave Super Shea a clear shot, squeezing it under the keeper. A dog pile for San Jose, disbelief for Vancouver.
Reflection on San Jose Comeback
Overall, the impact that the four man sub made was the turning point in this one. Not making any changes until the 79th minute, in a game that you are leading that would be a dream first game of a tournament for a franchise with a chip on it’s shoulder. Is that really the move? Well to Marc Dos Santos, waiting so long might have costed his tired looking group the full three points.
It wasn’t all doom an gloom for Vancouver, with Adnan, Veselinovic and Owusu having strong and positive showings. Meanwhile, a spirited, gutsy, confident Californian squad has turned quite a few heads at this tournament so far, leading Group B.
Meanwhile, at one point in the first half, Vancouver was leading the group, however, a number of problems flared up that will have to be addressed in training, leaving Vancouver at the bottom.
Hats off to San Jose for outworking Vancouver over every blade of grass, with the Canadians finishing off with more goals than shots on target. It was that sort of night for Vancouver, not generating anything moving forward, inviting pressure on the back foot.
There has really yet to be a dominant, impressive performance by Vancouver the year, and they have a tough ask on Sunday again defending champions Seattle. That will be the Sounder’s last group game, who will be needing a full three points for a shot in the knockout round. San Jose is up against the newest Goup B arrivals, Chicago, on Sunday as well.
