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Posted by
Harjeet Johal,
September 16, 2017 |
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@HarJournalist
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VANCOUVER, B.C - Whitecaps FC continued their four-match home-stand vs Columbus Crew SC, looking to ride momentum to a fourth consecutive overall win. The MLS west leaders were in tough, and it took a second half stoppage time goal from Tony Tchani to earn a 2-2 draw. Kekuta Manneh appeared to have a match winner sorted until a desperate Whitecaps FC squad came back to shock Columbus and 20,592 supporters at B.C. Place.
Fredy Montero, and Ola Kamara exchanged first half goals, Kekuta Manneh contributed a goal, and an assist and was the most dangerous player on the pitch. Tony Tchani answered with late heroics to steal a massive point for Vancouver. Columbus Crew SC improve to 13-12-5, and Vancouver hold firm at the top of the west with an 13-9-6 record.
“Not bad," said Whitecaps FC Coach Carl Robinson. "Not bad in certain areas. I thought we were a little bit… we weren’t sharp enough, and I thought that might be the case after the third game in a week. We were, maybe eighty per cent playing, and I think that worked to their favour, because they’re a very good possession orientated team, they like to lull you, and obviously slow the tempo of the game down. When they got the goal ahead, obviously that’s what they did for twenty odd minutes or so. I think we deserved a point based on the chances we had. I’m happy with a point. I’ll take it.”
"No, I don't think we're happy with a point," said Coach Gregg Berhalter. "If you look in the dressing room, the guys aren't happy. We wanted to prove a point. It came back through the grapevine that they're calling us a soft team, and there going to be physical with us. It'd be interesting to see the thoughts now, after the game. I didn't see it that way at all. We controlled the match, we defended well on set pieces, which we knew was a big strength, and looked the more aggressive team, and looked the team that wanted to attack, and score goals. I'm disappointed at the end that they got the goal, but we'll keep our heads up, and keep working."
Manneh agreed with his coaches assessment, and commented on how Columbus used those particular "soft"comments as a motivating tool leading up to the match.
"Yeah, definitely we do," admitted Manneh. "I talked about it before. The size of our team, it's very small. We're all on board today, we know we have to fight the Caps. They're a physical team. We have to have the heart, and match the intensity if we were going to get a result in this game. We know we played them out of the park for sure, that's our game, so we kept up with intensity. I thought we were very unlucky today not to come out with a win. It's tough to play against them with all the height they have, the physicality. It was motivation, just hearing that. I think that comment was really really good for us. Now we know what teams think about us. We have to bring that every single game."
The Opening 45
Whitecaps FC got off to a terrific start thanks to a Fredy Montero goal in the 15' minute. Cristian Techera played the ball forward, and it took a slight deflection off Yordy Reyna. Montero appeared to be slightly offside, as he broke in 1v1 with Zack Steffen. The Colombian striker slotted the ball into the net to give Vancouver a 1-0 lead.
The Caps advantage didn't last long as a familiar face helped setup a Columbus equalizer in the 19' minute. Kekuta Manneh danced around Jake Nerwinski before delivering the ball into the Vancouver box. Ola Kamara split the Caps centre-backs and knocked in the cross to tie the match 1-1.
After exchanging goals, both teams settled into the match. Columbus carried the play, while Vancouver was forced to defend. The Caps, having played three matches in eight days, looked to be on the back foot, as the fresh, and rested visitors controlled play.
Heading into the interval, the match remained tied at one goal apiece. Columbus Crew SC held a comfortable 61% - 39% possession advantage, with Vancouver forced to defend.
The Second Half
Whitecaps FC needed a spark off the bench. Columbus continued to control possession, and pile up scoring opportunities. Carl Robinson went to his substitutes bench in the 59' minute and brought on teenager, Alphonso Davies for Cristian Techera.
The impactful switch did not help Vancouver immediately. Manneh darted into the heart of the midfield and right through the Caps defence. Vancouver's holding midfield parted, allowing Manneh far too much time and space. Manneh scored a screamer from 25 years out to silence the B.C. Place crowd in the 63' minute.
"I think it was nice, I'm happy for both guys," said Berhalter. "Obviously, I'm particularly happy for Kekuta, for the warm reception from the fans, but not only that, the performance. I talk about how important he is to the team, and how he's going to be able to make an impact down the stretch, and he showed it. We're really happy for his performance tonight."
Whitecaps FC looked to be destined for a loss, but it wasn't happening on Tony Tchani's watch. While Kekuta Manneh scored in his return, Tchani waited until the 92' minute to nic a goal against his former club. Fredy Montero played the ball over the top, and Tchani was open at the back post to connect on a 2-2 equalizer at the death.
"When I scored, I didn’t realize that I was playing against my former team," said Tchani. "I took three steps and realized, just stop and respect, because I was there six years, not just like a year. I felt like I owed a lot of respect."
Man of the Match
It was the Kekuta Manneh show, and he brought his best in his return to Vancouver. The speedy winger had rookie, Jake Nerwinski in his pocket in the opening forty-five and created several chances for Columbus. Manneh used his familiar pace on the flanks to challenge Whitecaps FC. He was shooting from everywhere and Vancouver had trouble containing him in open areas. Manneh showed exactly what he is capable of when he is on his game. Vancouver looked tired, and Manneh was money.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI: David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, 80 (Jordan Harvey), Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski; Aly Ghazal, Tony Tchani; Cristian Techera, 59 (Alphonso Davies), Yordy Reyna, Brek Shea 72 (Bernie Ibini); Fredy Montero. 4-2-3-1
Columbus Crew SC Starting XI: Zack Steffen; Hector Jimenez; Lalas Abubakar, Josh Williams, Harrison Afful; Mohammed Abu, 46 (Artur), Wil Trapp(C); Kekuta Manneh, 70 (Justin Meram); Frederico Higuaín, Pedro Santos, 83 (Alex Crognale); Ola Kamra. 4-2-3-1
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