Nothing Like Seeing Mattocks Score, Feels Like It’s Been a While
by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Photography by Diego Diaz
Stabaek failed to understand the true meaning of Paolo Tornaghi’s pink shirt as they bullied his goal all night long. Carl Robinson’s tactics worked out though as his youthful lineup countered the constant Stabaek pressure nicking three in the first half before Bob Bradley’s side pegged two back in the second to leave the scoreline almost, but not quite reflective of the run of play.
Robbo opted for fresh faces for the midweek meeting with Norwegian Tippeligaen side Stabaek, starting a backline of Sampson, Dean, Rodriguez, and Adekugbe. Gershon Koffie returned to defensive midfield alongside Ben McKendry with Mezquida playing in behind Darren Mattocks. The striker flanked by Hurtado and Bustos. The busiest however, was Ousted’s backup Paolo Tornaghi who had to deal with numerous goal attempts.
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The early stages were fairly even with both sides striding forward but struggling with their final ball. Erik Hurtado started the brightest striding through a few bodies from box to box before playing in Darren Mattocks. Adekugbe also looked to be concentrating on the task at hand as he smartly followed up Cole Grossman’s square pass in front of goal, clearing to safety.
Out of nowhere the Whitecaps took the lead through Nicolas Mezquida’s sublime lob in the 13th minute. The Stabaek defense had stepped up to play the offside trap as Marco Bustos sent Mezquida in on goal and as they appealed the Uruguayan kept his eye on the ball and splendidly sent the ball over the helpless keeper.
That goal definitely got under the skin of the Stabaek players and they began to exert their dominance on proceedings. But just when you thought they might trouble the Whitecaps goal the complete opposite happened. A lame Mezquida freekick recycled to Hurtado who made Sayouba in the Stabaek goal tip over his curling effort. And from the ensuing corner Diego Rodriguez won his side a penalty. Darren Mattocks slotted his penalty to the left with a slight stutter step to give the ‘Caps an unlikely two goal lead.
Those goals didn’t slow down Stabaek. The Norwegian’s accumulated corners throughout the first half but despite all their effort couldn’t make them pay. Former Columbus Crew midfielder Cole Grossman almost squirmed a set piece inside Tornaghi’s near post but the Italian managed to punch away under pressure. A Mattocks giveaway allowed former Seattle Sounder David Estrada to turn and shoot from inside the area but Tornaghi was well up to the task smothering the chance.
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While they appeared to be turning the screw the finishing never quite lived up to all their quality in build-up. Ghanaian Luc Kassi repeatedly sent his shots inches over the Whitecaps goal frame. During the final period of the first half it was a rare sight to even see Mattocks, Mezquida, Hurtado or Bustos in frame with everything taking place inside the ‘Caps area.
And just when you thought Stabaek would get one back, Mattocks struck his second and Vancouver’s third. Poor Stabaek just couldn’t deal with the Whitecaps counter attack with Mezquida pulling the strings. He sprayed an exquisite cross field pass to Ben McKendry and the former Residency midfielder faked a square pass, instead playing in the Jamaican to put the ball past Sayouba and send Vancouver into halftime with an unlikely three goal lead.
The second half was much of the same. Stabaek tried to boss things in the ‘Caps half but when Vancouver did retain possession their abilities to keep the ball in tight situations was very tidy. McKendry didn’t look out of place at all alongside Gershon Koffie, so I don’t know if that says more to how far McKendry has come or how far Koffie has fallen over the last year.
Tornaghi was easily the man of the match as he continually pushed back efforts from 19 year old Anders Trondsen. The youngster finally got his chance to put one past the Italian in the 67th minute as he was felled by a clumsy challenge from Diego Rodriguez. In his defence the center back completely lost sight of the tricky forward before backing into him and conceding the penalty. Tornaghi dove the right way but Trondsen put enough behind his left footed penalty to get his side back into the match.
As the substitutes flowed onto the pitch the game stuttered more and more with Vancouver being pinned back by the combination of Ekblom and Trondsen. They weren’t without their efforts though as Mattocks raced in on goal courtesy of a superb Bustos through ball only to fire into the midriff of Sayouba.
It was disaster for trialist Harold Gomez as he replaced Sam Adekugbe in the final 10 minutes only to poke home a goal for the wrong team. Ekblom drilled a dangerous cross in front of goal and under pressure from Haugstad, Gomez got the last touch as the ball dribbled past Tornaghi for the Norwegians’ second.
Caleb Clarke entered the match to provide impetus up front and he nearly extended the lead with a strong run down the left evading his mark but once cutting onto his right could only scuff a tame effort towards goal. Had it been on his left we may have been praising the forward for the next week and a bit.
Bob Bradley will surely be onto his players about their lack of finishing tonight but it was a nice run out for the bit part players in Carl Robinson’s squad who will have to make the most of minutes here and there throughout the MLS season.
With Portland and Chicago settling for a draw in the latter match of the evening the ‘Caps have now collected back-to-back preseason tourney accolades in Portland and end the tournament against Frank Yallop’s Chicago Fire, Saturday at 2:30PM. Another coach the club chased prior to making the right move in selecting Carl Robinson.
Watch the full replay here.
And catch the live stream at www.whitecapsfc.com
