The Vancouver Whitecaps drop crucial points at home against DC United

VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Red Nation Online for my Whitecaps vs DC United match report.

http://www.rednationonline.ca/MatchReport2015/10manWhitecapscantholdoffDCUnited.aspx

Thanks

The Vancouver Whitecaps play DC United to a scoreless draw

VANCOUVER, B.C – Please visit Red Nation Online for my Vancouver Whitecaps vs DC United match report.

http://www.rednationonline.ca/Articles2014/MissedopportunityforVancouverinDCUniteddraw.aspx

Thanks

The Vancouver Whitecaps hang on to defeat DC United 1-0

VANCOUVER, B.C – Vancouver Whitecaps Match Ratings at DC United

GK – Brad Knighton: 7.5/10 Knighton made a wonderful save off of Kyle Porter 7′ into the match. Porter got past right back Nigel Reo-Coker, and the current no.1 keeper for the Whitecaps sprang into action to make an important spectacular save early in the match. Knighton also had a big save on John Thorrington in the 1st half when the former Caps player had a decent look from well out. Brad Knighton earned his first MLS clean sheet of the season making 4 saves against DC United.

LB – Jordan Harvey: 7/10 Harvey suffered a crunching tackle late in the 1st half that had Whitecaps Coach Martin Rennie visibly upset on the touch-line. The former UCLA stand out was able to continue on and stay in the match. Kenny Miller setup Jordan Harvey on 63 minutes, and the left back fired a great shot on target from just inside the DC United box. DC United goalkeeper Bill Hamid was able to punch the ball away as the Caps looked for an insurance goal. Seconds later Harvey delivered a wonderful pass to Russell Teibert who had his curling shot saved by Hamid. Jordan Harvey was great in his own half, and had a key block on a Chris Pontius attempt on goal late in the match.

CB – Johnny Leveron: 7/10 The Honduran defender was slow to react when Chris Pontius got between him, and Nigel Reo-Coker in the 24′. Pontius split Reo-Coker, and Leveron to get directly in on Brad Knighton. The DC United forward was not able to get his foot on the ball sent towards the Caps goalkeeper. Leveron had some important blocks in his own end, and played well with fellow centre back Carlyle Mitchell.

CB – Carlyle Mitchell: 7.5/10 With Brad Rusin, and Andy O’Brien getting closer to being 100% healthy Mitchell played his best game for the Whitecaps since being recalled from FC Edmonton. Mitchell was in excellent position and was able to block several attempts on target by DC United. The Trinidadian native also had key clearances when the Caps were under siege in the 2nd half. Mitchell has improved his performance each an every game since stepping in for Rusin, and O’Brien.

RB – Nigel Reo-Coker: 6.5/10 The Whitecaps biggest signing this winter played in his first MLS match at right back.  The usually marvellous Reo-Coker struggled at his position early on and looked out of sorts on defense with the rest of the Whitecaps back four. Reo.C has thrived at every position Martin Rennie has asked him to play this season, and it was odd to see Nigel not at his best in the 1st half. His game got better as the match progressed, and he was able to help defend as DC United looked for the equalizing goal.

LM – Matt Watson: 8.5/10 Watson had loads of energy and was all over the pitch throughout the match. The 28 year-old was one of the most constant Caps players for all 85 minutes he played in. Hi hustle paid off in the 2nd half when he earned his team a Penalty!! Hamid hauled down Watson inside the DC United box as Watson got to the ball first. Referee Matthew Foerster quickly pointed to the spot without any hesitation. Although he did not get an assist Watson played a huge part in the Caps game winning goal. The Redditch, England native, was by far the best Whitecaps player on the pitch. He ran until it looked like his legs were going to fall off. This was Matt Watson’s strongest game since joining Vancouver in 2011.

CM – Jun Marques Davidson: 5.5/10 Somehow Jun Marques Davidson found himself back in the Whitecaps starting lineup as Gershon Koffie was not yet fit enough to start. The defensive midfielder delivered a dangerous tackle on John Thorrington on 20 minutes. Davidson was lucky not to have earned a card. Davidson’s play once again had Whitecaps fans shaking their heads. Vancouver was able to hold on for a 1-nil victory despite the mediocre play of Davidson.

RM – Daigo Kobayashi: 6.5/10 Kenny Miller setup Kobayashi after the Whitecaps elected to take a short corner in the 59′. The Japanese attacking midfielder was in perfect position to score… however his shot on target went wide to the left and presented zero challenge for Bill Hamid. Kobayashi needed to at least get his shot on target and he did not. Kobayashi has had his minutes reduced in the last month because of a nagging ankle injury. He was decent but not at his best. Kobayashi has not been able to link up with the streaking trio of Camilo, Teibert and Miller. His timing is off, and he has yet to find a lock with the Vancouver Whitecaps offensive attack.

ST – Kenny Miller: 7/10 The Whitecaps captain has been on terrific form of late and was noticeably kept in check for 1st half of the match. Vancouver had little offensive opportunities to score on in the opening forty-five and the trio of Kenny Miller, Russell Teibert, and Camilo Sanvezzo were absent early on. Miller created a few fantastic scoring chances for his teammates in the 2nd when he set up Daigo Kobayashi, and Jordan Harvey. Neither effort resulted in a goals for Vancouver… but it was good to see Miller setting up his teammates.

ST – Camilo Sanvezzo: 8/10 The little Brazilian and leading scorer for the Whitecaps in all competitions this year converted on his third penalty kick of the season to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead in the 47′. Camilo blasted his penalty kick right down the middle past Bill Hamid. Camilo now has 9 goals this season, and is one back of Marco di Vaio, Mike Magee, and Jack McInerney who all have 10. The Whitecaps most dangerous threat to score was silent for large portions of the match but when he got his opportunity he capitalized.

ST – Russell Teibert: 7.5/10 Teibert had a brilliant opportunity to open the scoring 10′ into the match. Playing in his final match before leaving the Whitecaps for the Gold Cup, Teibert hammered his shot off the right post as he closed in on Bill Hamid from a sharp angle. Vancouver didn’t generate much offense in the 1st half, and that was their long chance to score. Teibert was more active in the 2nd half and had an outstanding chance to give Vancouver a 2-0 in the 63′. Jordan Harvey setup the Canadian and Russell had his curling shot tipped over the bar by Hamid. Teibert is known for his great passing, and dribbling ability but on this occasion he came up with a blistering shot that was saved at the last moment.

Substitutions:

CM – Gershon Koffie: 5/10 Koffie made his return to the Whitecaps lineup as a 2nd half substitution. The Ghanian midfielder was called upon for his defensive ability as Vancouver looked to nurse a 1-0 lead. Koffie picked up a yellow card for a harmless looking shirt pull on Perry Kitchen in the 70′. Koffie was able to help out on his own half with a few clearances as DC United put pressure on Vancouver in the final 20 minutes of the match.

ST – Darren Mattocks: 5/10 Mattocks replaced Camilo with 15 minutes to go. The Jamaican dynamo was asked to hold the ball up top, and help keep possession in the later stages of the match. Mattocks has found himself on the bench of lately with Camilo, Teibert, and Kenny Miller carrying the Whitecaps offense.

CB – Brad Rusin: 5/10 With 5 minutes to play Brad Rusin also made his return to the Whitecaps. Rusin came on for an exhausted Matt Watson. Watson looked absolutely gassed as he came off, and Brad Rusin added to Vancouver’s defensive approach for the final minutes of the game.

My Man of the Match: Matt Watson