Whitecaps/ FC Edmonton Game Summary
FC Edmonton fought valiantly, but ultimately went down with an aggregate 5-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps over a two-legged playoff in the first round of the Amway Canadian Championships.
The Albertan team had managed a 1-0 lead thanks to a Yashir Pinto strike in the 54th minute, but the Whitecaps rebounded to tie it through late substitute Sebastien Le Toux, while second overall draft pick Darren Mattocks completed the rout.
Toronto FC defeated the Montreal Impact 2-0 to finally win a match this season, and will be Vancouver`s opponents in the final round clash for the CONCACAF Champions League berth.
Coaching
Martin Rennie’s team selection has been peerless recently as he manages to accommodate his veterans’ desire to play, along with the need to blood his youngsters and second string. The picks of Mattocks and Etienne Barbara (both finally healthy) paid off in spades, as the Jamaican scored his first for the MLS club, while Barbara earned a penalty with his first taste of action.
Goalkeeping
Brad Knighton got the start on this evening and provided solid work, despite obvious discomfort when Edmonton`s Michael Cox slid into the Vancouver `keeper on an overaggressive tackle. Thankfully he recovered to finish the match.
Defence
Though the Whitecaps started poorly moving forward, the defence held firm for 54 minutes, managing to keep the team in the game, and not for the first time this season.
Davide Chiumiento was clutch in the 5-1 aggregate win over Edmonton (Photo by Nick Didlick/Getty Images)
Midfield
Davide Chiumiento was the standout on this day for the midfield as his energetic display of creativity managed to conjure up three goals for the forwards. When he is in the mood, the Swiss playmaker can be near impossible to contain. His passing was a thing of beauty on the night.
Forwards
Darren Mattocks proved he was worth the wait with plenty of running and a nice finish to close out the match. However, Le Toux is proving to be the real star of the forwards as his entrance as a sub brought the finish that the game needed.
His patience on the first goal in the 70th minute, with calm control and a neat sidestep to generate space, provided a terrific template for his teammates to learn from on what is needfed to be a successful striker.
Man of the Match
Davide Chiumiento was the clear star on this occasion.
Play of the Match
Mattocks` confident late goal and energetic celebration, leaping the ad boards after, is hopefully a sign of things to come for the speedster.
About C-Mac
