VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6W-7L-5D) saw their five-match home unbeaten run come to an end on Sunday with a 1-0 defeat to Colorado Rapids (4W-9L-3D) at BC Place.
The ‘Caps controlled over 70 per cent of possession on the afternoon and outshot Colorado 25-9, forcing Rapids keeper Tim Howard into a whopping 10 saves, but a 43rd-minute own goal proved the difference between the two teams.
Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson made five changes to his starting lineup on Sunday after last weekend’s defeat in Philadelphia, including a return to action for captain Kendall Waston. But Waston, who became the first active Whitecaps FC player to play and score in the World Cup on Wednesday, would leave the match at halftime with a groin strain.
The ‘Caps, who were without centre back Jose Aja, attacking midfielder Yordy Reyna, and Cristian Techera due to suspension, were all over Colorado from the get go.
Marcel de Jong delivered a number of dangerous crosses from his left back position and Alphonso Davies threatened as usual – this time playing on the right wing. Davies, in fact, created Vancouver’s best chance of the first half, beating his man before finding Nicolas Mezquida in the centre of the box in the 28th minute. But Mezquida could not beat Howard, who was busy all afternoon.
The Rapids, who sat deep in a defensive 5-4-1 formation, would break the deadlock against the run of play in the 43rd minute. Brian Rowe made a fantastic save in the build-up, denying Joe Mason from close range after Yannick Boli hit the crossbar at the back post. But the rebound bounced off de Jong and into the back of the net, giving Colorado the advantage just before the break.
The ‘Caps continued their onslaught in the second half. Striker Kei Kamara, who had a game-high eight shots, looked the most likely player to score and came within inches of doing so in the 72nd minute, heading a Jordon Mutch cross off the bar.
In the end, despite dominating nearly every offensive statistical category, the ‘Caps were forced to walk away empty handed.
Whitecaps FC are back at BC Place next Saturday, hosting longtime Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and his Chicago Fire (7:30 p.m. PT on TSN2 and 1410 AM radio – visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets for ticket information).
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 $700 for a running total of $4,900.
MATCH DETAILS
Budweiser Man of the Match: Felipe
Referee: Nima Saghafi
Attendance: 20,038
Scoring Summary
43’ – COL – Marcel de Jong (own goal)
Statistics
Possession: VAN 71.6% – COL 28.4%
Shots: VAN 25 – COL 9
Shots on Goal: VAN 10 – COL 3
Saves: VAN 3 – COL 10
Fouls: VAN 19 – COL 11
Offsides: VAN 2 – COL 0
Corners: VAN 7 – COL 3
Duels won: VAN 56 – COL 65
Tackles won: VAN 10 – COL 14
Cautions
16’ – COL – Jack Price
33’ – COL – Édgar Castillo
48’ – COL – Danny Wilson
80’ – COL – Johan Blomberg
82’ – COL – Deklan Wynne
90’ + 3’ – VAN – Marcel de Jong
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
12.Brian Rowe; 3.Sean Franklin, 4.Kendall Waston © (77.Jordon Mutch HT), 2.Doneil Henry, 17.Marcel de Jong; 20.Brek Shea (19.Erik Hurtado 74’), 8.Felipe, 6.EfraÃn Juárez, 67.Alphonso Davies; 23.Kei Kamara, 11.Nicolás Mezquida (9.Anthony Blondell 67’)
Substitutes not used
39.Sean Melvin, 22.Aaron Maund, 28.Jake Nerwinski, 66.Aly Ghazal
Colorado Rapids
1.Tim Howard; 21.Bismark Boateng (24.Kortne Ford 60’), 27.Deklan Wynne, 44.Axel Sjoberg, 5.Tommy Smith, 2.Édgar Castillo; 10.Joe Mason (8.Johan Blomberg 73’), 4.Danny Wilson, 19.Jack Price, 28.Sam Nicholson; 9.Yannick Boli (32.Jack McBean 81’)
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 11.Shkëlzen Gashi, 22.Michael Azira, 90.Enzo Martinez
