CCL Starts with a 1-1 snore fest Vancouver v Seattle CCL Photo Recap

Photos by John May Captions By Toby Dunkelberg

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In the first ever MLS darby feature in the CONCACAF Champions League gets underway with both teams sporting youthful lineups with first teamers at key positions. Namely Pedro Morales in the Vancouver attack and Brad Evans for the Sounders defense.

early pressure from Seattle that backup keeper Tornaghi coolly handles the game gets sloppy with both teams struggling to connect in the final third.

After early pressure from Seattle that backup keeper Tornaghi coolly handles the game gets sloppy with both teams struggling to connect in the final third especially, a trend that continues the entire match.

Mattocks looks to be the sole bright spot for Vancouver as his countless runs ruffle the feathers on Seattle’s back line. Unfortunately he can’t get any good service and ends up with nothing to show for it.

A string of good possesion for the Sounders worries the nearly 20,000 Whitecaps fans in attendance. Darren Mattocks looks to be the sole bright spot for Vancouver as his countless runs ruffle the feathers on Seattle’s back line. Unfortunately he can’t get any good service and ends up with nothing to show for it.

The game goes to halftime without a goal despite the Sounders leading 6-0 on shots. There’s a final quality that’s just absent from both teams as passes in the final third end up in the stands around half the time and intercepted the rest of it.

The second half starts with both teams struggling to piece together chances. But at around the 55 minute mark Morales and the rest of the Whitecaps attack starts to connect a little better on the counter attack but not quite good enough for Carl Robinson.

The second half starts with both teams struggling to piece together chances much the the frustration of Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson. But at around the 55 minute mark Morales and the rest of the Whitecaps attack starts to connect a little better on the counter attack.

Not six minutes latter Tim Parker runs near post on a perfectly placed corner from Morales and flicks the ball past Perkins with a lovely back heel to put the Whitecaps on top. The second straight game with a goal for a Whitecaps centerback against Seattle.

But then six minutes later the Sounders, at this point scoreless in 433 minutes finally end their drought on a broken corner that falls to Rose. His cross finds a wide open Neagle on the near post. He calmly plays it up to himself and volleys it in to tie things up.

But then six minutes later the Sounders, at this point scoreless in 433 minutes finally end their drought on a broken corner that falls to Andy Rose. His cross finds a wide open Neagle on the near post. He calmly plays it up to himself and volleys it into the upper right corner to tie things up.

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Substitutes flood the field but Carl Robinson and Sigi Schmid opt to see the 1-1 game out with largely defensive choices and relaxed attacking but still present attacking.

The game ends with a couple moments of fanfare. Earnshaw dispossesses Evans at the top of the box but can’t slot it home, and Rose takes a shot wide after Barrett collides with Tornaghi.