VIDEO CREDIT: Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver Whitecaps FC played to a 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire Saturday afternoon in their preseason finale at Providence Park.
Center back Pa-Modou Kah opened the scoring for the ‘Caps in the 31st minute with his second goal in as many games, but Shahdon Winshester scored a 90th-minute equalizer to rescue a draw for the Fire – their third such result this week in Portland.
After wins over the host Portland Timbers and Norwegian side Stabæk Fotball, Vancouver had already clinched the Simple Invitational title coming into Saturday’s contest.
They’re now undefeated in three matches heading into next weekend’s regular season opener against Toronto FC at BC Place.
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson fielded a strong lineup against the Fire, similar to the team that defeated the Timbers last weekend. The only change saw Nicolas Mezquida replace Mauro Rosales on the right wing. Rosales, and forward Erik Hurtado, were left out of the squad with knocks.
Saturday’s match got off to an open start on a sunny afternoon at Providence Park.
Mezquida and Russel Teibert looked particularly lively for the ‘Caps going forward, but Chicago had the better chances in the early stages.
Fortunately for the Blue and White, goalkeeper David Ousted looked in midseason form. In the ninth minute, the Dane made a diving save off a well-taken Quincy Amarikwa strike from just outside the box. And then in the 17th minute, he came up big again with another diving save after Kennedy Igboananike headed a Shaun Maloney free kick towards the bottom left corner of goal.
Chicago looked the more likely side to score, but Vancouver had their chances as well. And they opened the scoring in the 31st minute.
After a Pedro Morales corner was cleared, Teibert let loose a second-phase volley that Kah redirected into the back of the net with a glancing header to put Whitecaps FC ahead 1-0.
Mezquida came close to doubling Vancouver’s advantage in the 35th minute, when some sloppy defending resulted in an opportunity from inside the area – an opportunity Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson turned away with one of his two first-half saves.
Both teams tightened things up a bit in the second half, which made for some scrappy play at both ends. There were a few chances though.
Chicago nearly equalized in the 64th minute, when a flicked on corner found Lovel Palmer in the centre of the box. But the Jamaican defender sent his volley over the goal.
After making three subs just after the hour-mark, the ‘Caps started to come on as well.
Substitute Darren Mattocks, who played on the left wing, was buzzing and striker Octavio Rivero also started to get more involved.
The Uruguayan had two or three quality opportunities, including in the 65th minute when he found some space in behind after chesting down a perfect chipped ball by Kekuta Manneh. But Johnson got just enough of Rivero’s side-footed effort to keep the Fire in the game.
It proved to be a game-saver.
Winchester equalized for the Fire just before the final whistle, capping off a great run with a 20-yard strike that just eluded a sprawling Ousted, who was outstanding on the night.
Whitecaps FC conclude their preseason schedule with a 4W-2L-2D record. They now return to Vancouver ahead of their regular season opener next Saturday, March 7 against Toronto FC. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. PT at BC Place.
Vancouver Whitecaps
Chicago Fire
