Red Bulls 1 -1 Whitecaps
One of the newest teams in the MLS, the Vancouver Whitecaps are off to a roaring start in 2012 in just their second season playing with the big boys.
The Whitecaps currently sit in 3rd place in the tough Western Conference with 26 points, just ahead of a reeling Seattle Sounders FC team that has 25 points.
Besides being one of the newest MLS teams, Vancouver may very well be one of the hottest teams as well. The club has not lost in five games and had it not been for a late goal against them last night, the Whitecaps could very well be on a 3-game win streak.
As it is, however, the Whitecaps drew even with the Red Bulls after New York evened up the scoring with a pivotal goal in the 86th minute afterMartin Bonjourhad given Vancouver the 1-0 lead in the 75th minute.
Here is the latest love ‘em – hate ‘em list after Vancouver’s 1-1 draw with New York.
Love ‘Em
Martin Bonjour’s Play
One of the biggest performances in MLS Wednesday night came from Bonjour. As stated above, the Argentinian scored the game’s first goal in the 75th minute to put the Vancouver Whitecaps in prime position to win the match.
Heralded for this offensive “prowess” last night (his goal was more of a “oh! look what I got here” kind of shot), Bonjour was also stellar on the defensive side of the ball.
Said head coach Martin Rennie:
“I think tonight he was fantastic defensively, he won lots of headers, he kept Kenny Cooper quiet – who is a very good player.”
Offensively and defensively, Bonjour was surely a player to be excited about last night.
Camilo Sanvezzo Returns
After being largely absent from the Whitecaps roster since he sustained a quad injury, Vancouver’s 2011 leading goal scorer Camilo Sanvezzo saw 64 minutes of action in last night’s draw against New York.
The Brazilian showed that flashes of his 2011 abilities while also trying not to put too much pressure on his still healing body.
Camilo provided three shots on goal for Vancouver, shots that his coach says he normally would make if he had not been in rehabilitation.
Despite these misses, Camilo played 64 minutes of good soccer and will be a valuable asset for Vancouver as they continue their quest for the MLS crown.
Camilo played a solid 64 minutes for Vancouver against the Red Bulls
Hate ‘Em
Not Finishing the Game
Although the stats say it was a draw, to many Whitecaps fans, last nights draw against the Red Bulls felt like a loss.
To be put in primed position to win a match and obtain 9 of 9 points in 3 matches and then just give the game away on an unmarked header will always draw the ire of fans.
While the Whitecaps are still in prime position in the western division, those two points may be the difference later on in the year in determining home field, something that Vancouver knows will be crucial to its success.
Converting Shots to Shots on Goal
The Whitecaps had more than enough opportunities to set the record straight with New York and prove that they were the superior team; they just could never convert that needed shot.
All in all, Vancouver had 10 attempts on goal.
While that is a fairly decent number of shots/attempts, the Whitecaps were only able to place one of those ten shots ON goal.
That is not a pretty number to see.
Luckily for the Whitecaps, that one shot on goal managed to be converted into points.
No matter the outcome of this match, the Vancouver Whitecaps will be looking ahead toward a bright future.
Currently sitting in third place in the Western Conference, the Whitecaps have established themselves as a legitimate threat to win the MLS title.
Only time will tell whether or not the dreams of their franchise and their fans come true…
About Chris Anderson
