Report and Reaction: TT has Vancouver Whitecaps off to the races in LA
Trips to Carson to take on the Galaxy haven’t been the happiest for Vancouver Whitecaps over the years. With just one win and two goals from their nine previous regular season matches, this felt like the ideal time for the ‘Caps to add to that tally, against a Galaxy side who look a shadow of their former selves, with just one win at home all season, and six goals given up in their last league match against RSL.
And take advantage of LA, Vancouver did, thanks to a 64th minute Tony Tchani header and an earlier highlight reel save from David Ousted, in an excellent all round performance that saw them come away with a 1-0 victory.
It was the home side who came out quickest, with Jack McBean heading over from in front of goal just three minutes in, when he should have done better.
Then the ‘Caps took over, led by an inspired Cristian Techera.
Christian Bolanos was first to get in a good position, but couldn’t get a decent shot off. Captain for the night, Tim Parker, was next to try his luck with a header, before a Techera chip forced Brian Rowe to awkwardly turn the ball around his near post for a corner in the 13th minute.
Vancouver came their closest yet to opening the scoring four minutes later when a Techera inswinging corner crashed off the LA bar.
But despite their pressure, the ‘Caps had nothing to show for it, with their final ball lacking too often.
LA had their best chance in the 21st minute when Romain Alessandrini brought a sprawling diving save from David Ousted, and Bradley Diallo had a fierce shot across goal with eight minutes of the half remaining, as LA had their best spell of the match.
Both teams had some half chances to start the second half, with the vital clinical touch missing, before a moment of absolute brilliance from Ousted in the 51st minute when his mitt robbed Dave Romney on the goalline, with what could very well be the save of the season.
The ‘Caps nearly took full advantage with a Techera shot that was turned around the post by Rowe, but they finally got their breakthrough in the 64th minute from a somewhat unlikely source, with Tchani getting his second headed goal off the season, burying a Bolanos free kick.
Another set piece goal for Vancouver and it was 1-0 to the visitors.
The ‘Caps were enjoying some quick breaks in the spaces that were now opening up as the Galaxy pushed for an equaliser and substitute Yordy Reyna had a chance to add a second but somewhat telegraphed his weak shot at Rowe.
Fellow sub Brek Shea should have grabbed the second with nine minutes remaining, firing a low shot off a Nerwinski cross just past the far post.
You were hoping these misses weren’t going to prove costly for the ‘Caps, with the Galaxy making three attacking substitutions of their own to try and salvage something from the game.
One of them, Jermaine Jones, tested Ousted with a long range drive in the closing minutes, but the Dane easily held on, before Rowe did well at the other end to grab the ball away from Bernie Ibini, when it looked like the Aussie was going to get on the end of a cross and tuck away the safety goal.
Ousted had to punch away the last LA threat in stoppage time, but Vancouver held on for a vital victory, and a well deserved one, moving up to fourth in the table and five points off first place, with two games in hand. Considering the injuries and the fact the team hasn’t been playing anywhere near their best, that’s an incredible stage to be at right now.
Next up is another team in seeming disarray this Sunday. Portland Timbers come to town, minus Fanendo Adi and Victor Arboleda, who were sent off in tonight’s 4-1 thumping by Real Salt Lake, and Darlington Nagbe, who is away with the US at the Gold Cup.
Bring them on.
FINAL SCORE: LA Galaxy 0 – 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
ATT: 17,404
LOS ANGELES: Brian Rowe; Bradley Diallo, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Joao Pedro, Ashley Cole, Romain Alessandrini (Bradford Jamieson IV 74), Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng (Jermaine Jones 69); Jack McBean (Ariel Lassiter 70) [Subs Not Used: Jon Kempin, Pele van Anholt, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia]
VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Jake Nerwinski, Andrew Jacobson, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Tony Tchani, Christian Bolanos, Nicolas Mezquida (Yordy Reyna 59), Christian Techera (Brek Shea 75); Fredy Montero (Bernie Ibini 82) [Subs Not Used: Spencer Richey, Sheanon Williams, Mauro Rosales, Erik Hurtado]
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Trips to Carson to take on the Galaxy haven’t been the happiest for Vancouver Whitecaps over the years. With just one win and two goals from their nine previous regular season matches, this felt like the ideal time for the ‘Caps to add to that tally, against a Galaxy side who look a shadow of their former selves, with just one win at home all season, and six goals given up in their last league match against RSL.
And take advantage of LA, Vancouver did, thanks to a 64th minute Tony Tchani header and an earlier highlight reel save from David Ousted, in an excellent all round performance that saw them come away with a 1-0 victory.
It was the home side who came out quickest, with Jack McBean heading over from in front of goal just three minutes in, when he should have done better.
Then the ‘Caps took over, led by an inspired Cristian Techera.
Christian Bolanos was first to get in a good position, but couldn’t get a decent shot off. Captain for the night, Tim Parker, was next to try his luck with a header, before a Techera chip forced Brian Rowe to awkwardly turn the ball around his near post for a corner in the 13th minute.
Vancouver came their closest yet to opening the scoring four minutes later when a Techera inswinging corner crashed off the LA bar.
But despite their pressure, the ‘Caps had nothing to show for it, with their final ball lacking too often.
LA had their best chance in the 21st minute when Romain Alessandrini brought a sprawling diving save from David Ousted, and Bradley Diallo had a fierce shot across goal with eight minutes of the half remaining, as LA had their best spell of the match.
Both teams had some half chances to start the second half, with the vital clinical touch missing, before a moment of absolute brilliance from Ousted in the 51st minute when his mitt robbed Dave Romney on the goalline, with what could very well be the save of the season.
The ‘Caps nearly took full advantage with a Techera shot that was turned around the post by Rowe, but they finally got their breakthrough in the 64th minute from a somewhat unlikely source, with Tchani getting his second headed goal off the season, burying a Bolanos free kick.
Another set piece goal for Vancouver and it was 1-0 to the visitors.
The ‘Caps were enjoying some quick breaks in the spaces that were now opening up as the Galaxy pushed for an equaliser and substitute Yordy Reyna had a chance to add a second but somewhat telegraphed his weak shot at Rowe.
Fellow sub Brek Shea should have grabbed the second with nine minutes remaining, firing a low shot off a Nerwinski cross just past the far post.
You were hoping these misses weren’t going to prove costly for the ‘Caps, with the Galaxy making three attacking substitutions of their own to try and salvage something from the game.
One of them, Jermaine Jones, tested Ousted with a long range drive in the closing minutes, but the Dane easily held on, before Rowe did well at the other end to grab the ball away from Bernie Ibini, when it looked like the Aussie was going to get on the end of a cross and tuck away the safety goal.
Ousted had to punch away the last LA threat in stoppage time, but Vancouver held on for a vital victory, and a well deserved one, moving up to fourth in the table and five points off first place, with two games in hand. Considering the injuries and the fact the team hasn’t been playing anywhere near their best, that’s an incredible stage to be at right now.
Next up is another team in seeming disarray this Sunday. Portland Timbers come to town, minus Fanendo Adi and Victor Arboleda, who were sent off in tonight’s 4-1 thumping by Real Salt Lake, and Darlington Nagbe, who is away with the US at the Gold Cup.
Bring them on.
FINAL SCORE: LA Galaxy 0 – 1 Vancouver Whitecaps
ATT: 17,404
LOS ANGELES: Brian Rowe; Bradley Diallo, Daniel Steres, Jelle Van Damme, Dave Romney; Joao Pedro, Ashley Cole, Romain Alessandrini (Bradford Jamieson IV 74), Giovani dos Santos, Emmanuel Boateng (Jermaine Jones 69); Jack McBean (Ariel Lassiter 70) [Subs Not Used: Jon Kempin, Pele van Anholt, Hugo Arellano, Rafael Garcia]
VANCOUVER: David Ousted; Jake Nerwinski, Andrew Jacobson, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Tony Tchani, Christian Bolanos, Nicolas Mezquida (Yordy Reyna 59), Christian Techera (Brek Shea 75); Fredy Montero (Bernie Ibini 82) [Subs Not Used: Spencer Richey, Sheanon Williams, Mauro Rosales, Erik Hurtado]
**** Reaction to follow. Check back later ****
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