Adi beats Kah in the air, although Kah and Waston controlled most of the aerial game for the visiting side.
by Graham Tooke, @chelskitooke
Photography by Diego Diaz
There’s no such thing as a friendly when Portland and Vancouver are involved. Caleb Porter’s side were handicapped by the second half sending offs of Rodney Wallace and Captain Liam Ridgewell as Vancouver claimed victory in the Simple Invitational. Former Timber Pa-Modou Kah climbed highest to thump a header past Adam Kwarasey in the Timbers’ goal. It was a surprising lone goal in an end to end contest in the first Cascadian derby of 2015 at Providence Park.
From the get go Portland’s aim was always to pick out their target forward Fanendo Adi. And the Nigerian did well to bring his team into play under pressure from both Waston and Kah. However despite the danger generated in the Vancouver area early on it was the ‘Caps who had the best opportunity.
Kwarasey showed how high he likes to play and it almost cost him a goal. He came out of his area to head clear but only sent his clearance as far as Kekuta Manneh, but the Gambian sent his effort just wide from a lengthy distance.
Portland attacked but lacked precision in the final yards
Numerous opportunities fell to the Timbers but they couldn’t put any on frame to test David Ousted, letting the ‘Caps off far too often for their sloppy play. Right back Alvas Powell was the surprising face on the end of a couple of half chances that he could only volley over.
Once Pedro Morales settled into the match Vancouver all of a sudden began to turn up the pressure and in the 31st minute Mauro Rosales sent a pin point cross onto the head of Pa-Modou Kah to give the Whitecaps the lead.
The former Timber was certainly the talking point of a hectic first half that saw the big man booked for a lunge from behind on Fernandez, while he also cheaply conceded possession in front of his own goal. He finished Rosales’ cross fantastically but his wild lunges and lapses in concentration have left the ‘Caps faithful with their hearts in their mouths at times.
Ben Zemanski leaves the field in a stretcher in what is rumored is a torn ACL
Full blooded challenges were flying in throughout the first half but it turned out that the artificial surface did most of the damage. Timbers midfielder Ben Zemanski had to be stretchered off early on as he appeared to get his foot stuck in the turf and twist his knee in the process. The concern from both sets of players was evident. Zemanski was obviously in quite a bit of trouble as he lay prostrate on the pitch and it was later confirmed the midfielder had torn his ACL.
The second half didn’t disappoint either as both sides kept the match incredibly open, allowing for continuous opportunities at both ends of the pitch. The only thing missing was an ability to finish. Manneh and Teibert had the early chances but sailed their efforts wide of the Timbers goal even though Morales continued to tee them up perfectly.
Rivero was kept quieter than we’ve been used to in previous preseason matches, but eventually he popped up in the second half to head Rosales’ center just over the near upright.
Wallace won’t be the only one hitting the showers early.
But on the hour mark Portland put themselves in a difficult position with the sending off of Rodney Wallace for a second bookable offence. He stretched to make up for a loose first touch and ended up catching Kendall Waston. The referee had no choice but to go to the book and send the Costa Rican off.
The extra man should have counted for more but despite all the extended periods of possession the ‘Caps couldn’t find a way past Kwarasey. For all the chances accumulated in the first half the Timbers attempts dried up in the second. Maxi Urruti replaced Adi but rarely troubled the Vancouver backline.
Erik Hurtado a second half replacement for the lively Rosales, looked very sharp and showed how much he wants a first team spot in Vancouver and is unlikely to settle for a place on the bench. His usual detriment is that ugly touch in dangerous positions. But like last season if he can get into those areas he’s more than likely to cause danger for the opposition.
An impeccable long ball through the middle found a streaking Hurtado but his lobbed shot found the wrong side of the post with Kwarasey stranded.
As the game wore out it was looking like the ‘Caps were happy to settle for the one goal lead. Although substitute Asprilla had different thoughts as he smashed a 25 yard drive goal ward that Ousted managed to slap round the post for a corner as Portland decided they weren’t out of this one.
It’s an unbelievable night, Liam is leaving the team with 9 players and few minutes left, Zemanski out on a stretcher, and Chara visibly limping.
That thought was quickly eradicated in the form of another sending off, this time to Captain Liam Ridgewell who needlessly got himself another booking for dissent after Mezquida had gone in hard on Diego Chara.
The Whitecaps saw out the added time and notched up their first win of the tournament. Wednesday at 5pm they’ll welcome the test of Norwegian side Stabaek. Bob Bradley will get his first look at the team he turned down last year and Carl Robinson will be sure to show him what he’s missing.
Watch the full replay here.
And catch the live stream at www.whitecapsfc.com
