VANCOUVER, BC – In an epic battle of chances, Vancouver Whitecaps FC came from behind to finish with a 2-2 draw on Saturday night against Colorado Rapids at BC Place.
Colorado’s Diego Rubio and Andre Shinyashiki opened the scoring early but a penalty kick by Fredy Montero and a spectacular free kick by Yordy Reyna meant both sides earned one point on the night.
With five 'Caps away on international duty, head coach Marc Dos Santos made a few changes to the lineup, including Yordy Reyna making his first start since his injury in April. Zac MacMath got his first start for WFC at BC Place facing his former team of four years.
The 'Caps came out with determination and control on the ball but a Rapids corner in the seventh minute would open up the scoring on the night. Nicolás Mezquida’s corner looked like it would sail long until Rubio headed the ball in at the far post behind MacMath.
Montero went for his own chance at the other end, as he pulled keeper Tim Howard out of his net, leaving Lucas Venuto and Yordy Reyna with a chance. But the Colorado defence covered their keeper and kept the ‘Caps chances at bay.
In the 20th minute, Shinyashiki would get the second goal of the night off Kei Kamara’s header, that was crossed into the box by Mezquida.
Just a few minutes later, Jake Nerwinski put a big stop to a potential goal for Colorado. Kamara was looking dangerous coming down the side as he put a strike off the post that bounced to a waiting Mezquida, however Nerwinski was there to keep the score 2-0.
The ‘Caps kept pressure on the Rapids with chance after chance that finally paid off in the 44th minute.
Ali Adnan pulled out his famous footwork to dance around Rubio, getting pushed down in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. In the 45th minute, Montero capitalized and closed the gap to a one-goal difference at halftime.
Coming out of the half, the ‘Caps didn’t let up on the gas pedal, holding the majority of possession.
Their hard work finally paid off in the 80th minute as Reyna score his second goal of the season. Felipe Martins was taken down just outside of the box, being awarded a free kick that Reyna and Adnan lined up for. Reyna took the shot that hit the near post and deflected in behind Howard to tie the match at 2-2.
The 'Caps continued fighting with chances from Inbeom Hwang, Adnan, and Montero, but the match would finish in a draw. On the night, WFC set an MLS club record for both passes with 716 and passes completed with 638.
Whitecaps FC hit the road this Wednesday, June 26 when they visit FC Dallas, for the second matchup of the season. Kickoff at Toyota Stadium is at 6 p.m. PT live on TSN and TSN Radio.
CORNERS FOR HEARING: Whitecaps FC had six corners in today's match, which means Connect Hearing will donate $600 to Hear the World Foundation.
MATCH DETAILS
WFC Man of the Match: Ali Adnan
Referee: Fotis Bazakos
Attendance: 19,893
Scoring Summary
8’ – COL – Diego Rubio (Nicolás Mezquida)
20’ – COL – Andre Shinyashiki (Kei Kamara, Nicolás Mezquida)
45’+1’ – VAN – Fredy Montero (penalty kick)
80’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna
Statistics
Possession: VAN 69.4% – COL 30.6%
Shots: VAN 22 – COL 15
Shots on Goal: VAN 9 – COL 5
Saves: VAN 2 – COL 7
Fouls: VAN 6 – COL 16
Offsides: VAN 3 – COL 1
Corners: VAN 6 – COL 4
Cautions
27’ – COL – Kei Kamara
54’ – COL – Andre Shinyashiki
61’ – VAN – Jon Erice
90’+1’ – COL – Kellyn Acosta
90’+5’ – COL – Lalas Abubakar
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
18.Zac MacMath; 28.Jake Nerwinski (23.Scott Sutter 63’), 22.Érik Godoy, 15.Andy Rose, 53.Ali Adnan; 8.Felipe Martins, 6.Jon Erice ©, 4.Inbeom Hwang; 7.Lucas Venuto (94.Victor “PC” Giro 69’), 12.Fredy Montero, 29.Yordy Reyna
Substitutes not used
39.Sean Melvin, 26.Brendan McDonough, 46.Brett Levis, 50.Theo Bair, 55.Michael Baldisimo
Colorado Rapids
1.Tim Howard ©; 2.Keegan Rosenberry, 6.Lalas Abubakar, 5.Tommy Smith, 13.Sam Vines; 4.Danny Wilson, 10.Kellyn Acosta; 7.Diego Rubio, 20.Nicolás Mezquida, 99.Andre Shinyashiki (22.Sebastian Anderson 77’); 23.Kei Kamara
Substitutes not used
31.Clint Irwin, 3.Kofi Opare, 8.Johan Blomberg, 17.Dillon Serna, 26.Cole Bassett, 44.Axel Sjöberg
