VANCOUVER, BC – "Football’s a cruel game sometimes."
Those were the words of Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-13L-7D) head coach Carl Robinson after watching his team fall 1-0 to New York Red Bulls (12W-9L-7D) on Saturday afternoon in front of a sold-out crowd of 22,120 at BC Place.
Cruel, indeed.
Robinson’s side controlled large portions of the game and had the better chances on the night against a Red Bulls side that is now unbeaten in 10 matches. But Bradley Wright-Phillips’ 17th goal of the season, which is tied for the league-lead, proved the difference in a match that saw Robinson ejected at the end of the first half.
“I’m disappointed with the result because obviously we lost a game of football and how we’ve lost the game of football I do not know,” Robinson said. “But we have to accept that we’ve lost. I’ll take responsibility for that as I always do and my players will, but the way they performed was excellent."
"They just didn’t take any of the numerous chances we had, which was unfortunate because we were playing against a very good team today," he added. "We could have and probably should have beaten them, but we didn’t.”
The ‘Caps, who were without six players due to international duty, played some bright stuff in the opening half and managed to get in behind on a few occasions.
In the 15th minute, goalkeeper David Ousted sprung Cristian Techera on a quick counter only to see Sean Davis save the day with a last-ditch tackle. Erik Hurtado also managed to find some space behind the Red Bulls back line throughout the first half. The 25-year-old had three quality chances, including a couple partial breaks, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
There wasn’t much flow in the game despite Vancouver’s attacking play.
A total of 19 fouls were handed out in the first half, in addition to a pair of yellow cards. And just before the break, Robinson was ejected for voicing his displeasure with a throw-in awarded to New York despite appearing to deflect out of bounds off Red Bulls fullback Sal Zizzo.
The ‘Caps manager left the pitch to a standing ovation.
New York controlled more possession in the first half but didn’t really threaten much. They did, however, take advantage of their limited opportunities in the second half.
In the 50th minute, the ball fell to Wright-Phillips after a little scramble in front of goal and the former English Premier League striker finished from close range to put the Red Bulls ahead. Wright-Phillips has now scored in six of his last seven appearances.
The ‘Caps certainly had their chances to level the match, launching everyone – including Ousted – forward in the dying stages, but it was not to be.
Next up for Whitecaps FC is a trip to Ohio for next Saturday’s clash with Columbus Crew SC (3 p.m. PT on TSN2) – their first of three straight matches away from home in all competitions.
MCMILLAN ‘CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every ‘Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $600 for a running total of $10,700.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Fraser Aird
Referee: Sorin Stoica
Attendance: 22,120
Scoring Summary
50’ – NY – Bradley Wright-Phillips
Stats
Possession: Vancouver 48.7% – New York 51.3%
Shots: Vancouver 12 – New York 13
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 0 – New York 4
Saves: Vancouver 3 – New York 0
Fouls: Vancouver 18 – New York 13
Offsides: Vancouver 3 – New York 1
Corners: Vancouver 6 – New York 4
Cautions
20’ – NY – Alex Muyl
29’ – VAN – Fraser Aird
60’ – NY – Mike Grella
88’ – VAN – Andrew Jacobson
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.David Ousted; 6.Jordan Smith (67.Alphonso Davies 79’), 17.Andrew Jacobson, 26.Tim Parker, 2.Jordan Harvey; 15.Matías Laba, 31.Russell Teibert; 8.Fraser Aird, 77.Pedro Morales © (11.Nicolás Mezquida 66’), 13.Cristian Techera (9.Masato Kudo 79’); 19.Erik Hurtado
Substitutes not used
70.Paolo Tornaghi, 14.Cole Seiler, 30.Ben McKendry, 46.Brett Levis
New York Red Bulls
31.Luis Robles; 25.Chris Duvall, 23.Ronald Zubar, 78.Aurelien Collin, 15.Sal Zizzo; 11.Dax McCarty © (26.Omer Damari 76’), 27.Sean Davis; 19.Alex Muyl (77.Daniel Royer 66’), 8.Felipe, 13.Mike Grella (30.Gonzalo Veron 89’); 99.Bradley Wright-Phillips
Substitutes not used
24.Kyle Reynish, 20.Justin Bilyeu, 55.Damien Perrinelle, 98.Shaun Wright-Phillips
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