VANCOUVER, BC – What a night it was.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC booked their ticket to the MLS Cup Playoffs on Saturday night after earning a hard-fought 1-0 win over Colorado Rapids in their regular season finale at BC Place.
Here’s what stood out in my mind.
12TH MAN
You hear a lot about the fans being the “12th man” in sports. Sometimes, it can feel a little hollow. Not on Saturday at BC Place. The atmosphere was absolutely electric. My ears feel like they’re still ringing.
And to me, the moments leading up to Kendall Waston’s game winner brought new meaning to the term “12th man.” With Pedro Morales set to take a corner, the crowd rose to its feet as they cheered on the ‘Caps, who were desperate for a goal. And we all know what happened next. It was truly a special moment.
TOWERING TICO
Waston stole the headlines with his game-winner, but he also put in yet another dominant defensive performance. In previous games, he’s been racking up the clearances. He finishes the season as the league leader in that category (per game).
On Saturday, however, his interception total was even more impressive.
The Costa Rican centre back had a game-high 13 interceptions, which is the second highest individual total in an MLS game this season. That’s also over half of the number of interceptions Colorado had as an entire team.
Beast mode activated.
Oh, by the way, Waston was trending in Canada on Twitter after the game.
PURE PASSION
While we’re talking about Waston, how about that celebration?
That type of emotion is why we love the game.
STEADY ANDY
He rarely gets the praise he deserves, but how good has Andy O’Brien been this season?
The veteran centre back always seems to quietly get the job done for Vancouver and Saturday night was no exception. He didn’t seem to put a foot wrong all night.
Of the 13 clean sheets Whitecaps FC recorded this year, the most in MLS, O’Brien started 11 of them.
That can’t be a coincidence.
GREAT DANE
We can’t talk about clean sheets without giving due credit to the clean sheet king himself: David Ousted.
The Great Dane finishes the season as the MLS shutout leader with 13 on the season, three more than the next goalkeeper behind him.
You can’t ignore those numbers. Ousted has made the big saves when he’s needed to all year, just as he did late in Saturday’s win (see video below).
He should be in the conversation (if not a frontunner) for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. There’s no question about it.
PINPOINT PASS
That turn and pass by Morales, though.
LOVING LIFE ON THE LEFT
I thought that two of Vancouver’s liveliest players in the first half were Jordan Harvey and Sebastian Fernandez, who combined very well along the left flank. Fernandez also had the best chance of the half in the 29th minute (see video below), when he tiptoed into the Rapids box before seeing his left-footed attempt stymied by a sprawling Clint Irwin.
Harvey switched over to the right side after Steven Beitashour went down with a right hamstring strain in the 33rd minute, but 19-year-old left back Sam Adekugbe filled in admirably and looked comfortable on the attack in the second half.
It should also be noted that Kekuta Manneh, who looked dangerous on the left side, added some life to the 'Caps attack after getting subbed on in the 56th minute.
ROBBO’S PICTURE
Turns out Whitecaps FC head coach Carl Robinson was holding onto a picture of his late father, who passed away in 2010, on Saturday. The ‘Caps manager spoke of this after the match and couldn’t help but shed a tear.
#THXCAPTAIN
Former Whitecaps FC captain Jay DeMerit, who was also the club’s first signing in MLS, was honoured prior to kickoff on Saturday, setting the tone for what would be a festive night at BC Place.
It was a nice tribute to a true legend, who jumped into the crowd to celebrate with Curva Collective after the match.
#ThxCaptain.
SPEAKING OF CAPTAIN'S...
Anyone recognize these two? That would be Colin O'Donoghue and Jennifer Morrison, better known as "Captain Hook" and "Emma Swan" from the popular TV series Once Upon a Time.
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