Rosales looked sharp early on but tired very quickly
Top 2 Bottom 2: Whitecaps out worked by Toronto
by Aaron Campbell (@AaCamp81)
Whitecaps Beat Reporter
It was a familiar story for the Vancouver Whitecaps loyal support, failed chances in the first half to put the game out of reach while the opposing team makes halftime adjustments to bring about a come from behind victory.
The Whitecaps had their chances in the first half. Octavio Rivero missed the easiest goal attempt he will probably have in his professional soccer career. Kekuta Manneh ran to his hearts desire terrorizing the TFC defense throughout the first half. Mauro Rosales was crafty on the wing and created the space needed to get service into the box. Russell Teibert was all over the pitch and added to the attack when needed helping create chances.
In the second half started Toronto FC came out and completely overran the Whitecaps sucking all the energy out of BC Place. Pedro Morales appeared to be nursing a niggle from an earlier Michael Bradley tackle and couldn’t muster up any service through the middle of the pitch to give the Whitecaps any opportunities on goal. Steven Beitashour and Jordan Harvey where caught sleeping on the goal that put TFC up 2-1 and the Reds coasted from there.
Here’s my thoughts on the Whitecaps top 2 players and bottom 2 players from yesterdays 3-1 loss.
Top 2:
Rivero made up for his early miss with a fine finish beneath Bendik
Octavio Rivero
First lets talk about the miss heard around MLS. Its was a great pass along the six-yard box from Teibert, and despite Rivero having the TFC defender beat he flubbed the chance he would usually score on 99 times out of 100. Considering it was his first game at BC Place and on the turf you can’t hold it against him. Soccer is a funny game and stuff like that happens from time to time.
His debut goal came from a great pass from Kah and his first and second touch gave himself the space down the wing to create a great shooting angle before burying the ball into the back of the net. Last year we saw Whitecaps strikers get the ball in the same area only to have their first touch let them down ending the opportunity to get a shot off.
He held the ball up well and wasn’t afraid to initiate and take on the physical side of the game. His movement was good in the box and you really didn’t see him standing still waiting for a pass, always moving and finding open spaces to give his teammates an outlet. He showed his skill set and looks like he is a great fit for this team moving forward.
Russell Teibert
He made a smart run down the side of the box to setup Rivero in front of goal only to watch the Uruguayan miss. He was all over the pitch and jumped up into the attack when he needed too, something he didn’t show enough of last season. He demanded the ball and wasn’t afraid to make runs.
With a defensive midfield partner like Matias Laba, Teibert has the ability to jump into the attack when he sees the chance. He knows Laba will cover his back if their is a quick turnover and he is out of position. The pair were great in the first half shutting down Bradley in the middle of the pitch clogging up the midfield limiting Toronto going forward.
Bottom 2:
Jordan Harvey looked like he was still on his honeymoon
Jordan Harvey
It was a game to forget for Jordan Harvey, he was in and around on two of the TFC goals. He had some careless clearances that gave up corners that where unnecessary and just looked a step or two behind all game long. With the young Sam Adekugbe itching to get MLS minutes, he will have to pick it up soon if he expects to keep getting the start.
On the Findley goal he was too busy looking at the official on his side of the pitch calling for an offside when he should have been marking the forward and not giving him a free run in front of the net. He wasn’t the only defender who gave up on that goal. Steven Beitashour was beaten too easily down the right allowing a cross to come in. Kendall Waston and Pa-Modou Kah could easily have reaches the ball and knocked it out of bounds to give up a corner instead of an easy goal. It was a comedy of defensive errors that lead to the goal.
Gershon Koffie
It was 26 minutes that Koffie will want to forget. He got a yellow card in the 77th minute and was fortunate he wasn’t shown his second with some careless fouls. He was caught flat-footed and defending with his hands hauling down the opposition. He didn’t settle into this one nor could he the necessary offensive push late in the game when the team needed it.
This season he will need to add some offense to his game and help create those 25 extra goals that Carl Robinson says the Whitecaps need to make them a threat for a home playoff game.
*Next up for Whitecaps FC is their first road match of 2015 next Saturday against Chicago Fire
