VANCOUVER, B.C. - Vancouver Whitecaps FC traveled down Interstate-5 for a match against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers FC. It was the first darby of the season between the two, and it was Whitecaps FC that shocked the home side with a 2-1 win, snapping Timbers FC's 15-match unbeaten streak. A crowd of 21,144 fans went home disappointed as Whitecaps FC also gave Portland their first loss at home this season.
Kei Kamara, and Cristian Techera scored first half goals. Diego Valeri missed a first half penalty, but he made good, converting on a second half penalty. Whitecaps FC goalkeeper, Stefan Marinovic made 7 saves to help Vancouver steal earn a big win.
"I think we saw two different halves of football today." Coach Carl Robinson told reporters. "Portland is a terrific team, with good players, and we know that they are unbeaten in 15 games, so we knew it was going to be a challenge with the rotation we had with the squad as well. In the first half, the boys handled themselves immaculately when Portland was in transition two or three times. We scored two good goals and we knew the second half was going to be different. We just don’t go under, we just hang in there; we’re bending, but we don’t break, even in the last-minute. Wednesday night I think it was, when we conceded in the last minute and it was tough. But, we didn’t do that today and the players deserve a load of credit. It’s great when you play against your rivals, the atmosphere is unbelievable, the intensity is unbelievable and the performance was unbelievable."
Whitecaps FC are in a run of form as they've now gone 3-0-2 across all competitions. It's a great time to be building momentum towards the stretch drive of the season.
"This is the time you need it," Kamara said, of momentum. "I hope that’s what it is because it’s the summer going into the fall and that’s when you need the points and the momentum to push you into the playoff race. We’re playing for one thing, going into preseason we knew that we wanted to make it to a cup final and that’s the position that we’re going for right now."
Vancouver improve to 9-9-6 on the season, and Portland Timbers FC drop to 10-4-7, on the campaign. Whitecaps FC now turn their attention to the Canadian Championship Final second leg as they will battle Toronto FC on Wednesday night at BMO Field.
Moments of the Match
Vancouver struck first after a quick thinking play from striker Kei Kamara. Kendall Waston sent a soaring free kick towards the Timbers box. Goalkeeper, Jeff Attinella made a poor indecisive error deciding to come half way to the ball. Kamara was able to rise up unmarked and smash home a header on the vacated net.
"We watched a lot of film, so I knew the ball was going to Kei." Attinella said. "It was a little overeager on my part because I wanted to come out and try to help that cross and do what I can to try and win that ball, but those are the types of things that happen. I misread it. He got up there, won the ball and unfortunately for me I was out of the net. For me, it’s a good learning experience. Unfortunately tonight, the guys couldn’t battle back for me, but I think we left everything on the field in the second half and that says a lot."
Whitecaps FC were buzzing as they created chance after chance in hostile territory. Attinella looked shaky in-goal, and Vancouver came out pressing for more goals. Felipe tested the Timbers keeper with a long-range volley, and Brek Shea followed up on the rebound by hitting the cross-bar, on an albeit offside play.
It was a back and forth track meet with both teams eager to create offence on the counter. Whitecaps FC were generating quality scoring opportunities, but it would be Portland who had the best chance to score the next goal.
In the 39' minute, Waston delivered a late challenge to Portland skipper, Diego Valeri inside the Vancouver box. Referee, Jair Marrufo pointed to the spot immediately. Valeri stepped up and uncharacteristically sent his penalty attempt wide to the left. Marinovic guessed wrong with his dive, but it didn't matter thanks to a massive miss.
Whitecaps FC took full advantage of Valeri's shambolic penalty attempt as they took their opportunity in the 43' minute and quickly doubled their lead to 2-0. Brek Shea broke down the flank and delivered a pin point cross to Techera who used every bit of his five foot, two-inch frame to head home his 7th goal, in his 100th career MLS appearance.
Leading 2-0 with Portland in search of any offensive momentum Carl Robinson elected to switch to a 5-4-1 formation. Right-back, Jake Nerwinski came on for Cristian Techera, and an injured Brett Levis departed the match for left-back, Marcel de Jong in the 65' minute.
Timbers FC were awarded a second penalty for the second consecutive MLS match. A Sean Franklin shove to the back of Sebastian Blanco sent him to the pitch inside the Vancouver box. A penalty was awarded, and this time, Diego Valeri made no mistake converting inside the far left post, cutting the Whitecaps FC lead to 2-1 in the 71' minute.
Portland kept coming with wave after wave, but Whitecaps FC parked the bus, and did well to bunker deep in their own half. Timbers FC could not find an elusive equalizer, and thus it was the visitors that put a stop to Portland's 15-match unbeaten streak.
Man of the Match
Kei Kamara set the tone with his 10th MLS goal of the season as he caught the Timbers sleeping with an early goal. Kamara had never previously scored in Providence Park, but that didn't matter as he took his opportunity and helped Vancouver earn all three points.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: Stefan Marinovic; Brett Levis, 65 (Marcel de Jong), Aaron Maund, Kendall Waston(C), Sean Franklin; Brek Shea, Aly Ghazal, Felipe, Cristian Techera, 61 (Jake Nerwinski); Nicolas Mezquida, Kei Kamara, 72 (Erik Hurtado). 4-4-2
Portland Timbers Starting XI: Jeff Attinella; Zarek Valentin, 90 + 1 (Marco Farfan), Julio Cascante, Larrys Mabiala, Alvas Powell; Diego Valeri, Sebastian Blanco, Diego Chara, David Guzman, 79 (Andres Guzman); Samuel Armenteros, 46 (Andy Pollo), Dairon Asprilla. 4-4-2
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