P osted by

Harjeet Johal ,

September 17, 2015 Twitter

@HarJournalist Read this on your iPhone/iPad or Android device



VANCOUVER, B.C - This wasn't your typical Cascadia matchup between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders, there was a lot more on the line. Each team is sitting on the outside of the MLS playoff picture with few fixtures left to play. It would be Seattle that delivered a huge blow to the Whitecaps FC playoff aspirations. Jordan Morris scored in the 81' minute to secure a 1-0 win for Seattle in front of a CenturyLink crowd of 47,111. The Whitecaps now fall to 9-14-7 on the season with four matches left. Whitecaps Manager, Carl Robinson expressed his thoughts on the loss to Seattle. "Obviously disappointed in the result," said Robinson. "Not winning a derby game is disappointing. Unfortunately we didn't get any luck in the final third. Unfortunately we didn't put the ball in the back of the net. I can't fault any of my players, unfortunately it just wasn't our day today." Although the Whitecaps playoff hopes are shrinking by the very day, and other teams have games in hand. Carl Robinson is not ready to throw in the playoff team. It's not over, until it's over, and the Whitecaps gaffer will keep his team going until the end. "We will keep fighting until the final end. We will not stop fighting until the very end. Who knows, football is a funny game." The Opening 45

It was quite a fast paced start to the match as both teams traded offensive scoring opportunities. Erik Hurtado tried to chip the ball over Stefan Frei and then head the ball home in the 14' minute. The Sounders keeper was able to race back and knock the ball away from Hurtado before he could head the ball into the vacated net. Austrian international Andreas Ivanschitz also had his own glorious opportunity to score. In the 23' minute the Seattle midfielder fired a shot that narrowly missed the far inside post. David Ousted was beat, but the ball just wouldn't curl inside the net. Fans appeared to think that a goal had been scored as flames shot up from behind the Whitecaps goal, but it was all premature. Seattle had another terrific chance to break the first half deadlock. Matias Laba pushed down Nicolas Lodeiro just outside the Vancouver box. The Sounders were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. The Uruguayan play-maker promptly fired the ball into the Whitecaps wall. At the half, the match remained scoreless with a 61% - 39% possession advantage for Seattle. May as well clear out some veterans to load up the pitching staff with prospects for next yea... wait... Doh! #vwfc #mls — Area Resident (@Area_Resident) September 17, 2016 Biggest issue for #vwfc is that last year's margins of success were so slim - a snatched goal here, some heroic defending there... — Daniel Bettridge (@DanielBettridge) September 17, 2016

The Second Half

Vancouver and Seattle both traded chances early in the second half with the Sounders having the most dangerous opportunity to open the scoring. In the 60' minute, Tyrone Mears sent a cross into the box that Andreas Ivanschitz collected at the far back post. His first attempt hit the post, and his rebound shot looked to be heading into the net. David Ousted came across his net to make an acrobatic save to keep Seattle off the score-sheet. Second half substitute, Giles Barnes also came close to opening the scoring as he had his own brilliant opportunity. The Jamaican striker raced down the flank past a pair of Sounders defenders. He sent his shot past goalkeeper Stefan Frei, only to see it hammer off the far post. It was that kind of match for both sides, finishing in the final third remained a difficult obstacle. As the match progressed it seemed destined to go down as a nil-nil draw, however that would not be the case on this occasion. #VWFC playoff chances down to 9% with loss to Seattle. Can get up to 15% with win next week against Colorado. More: https://t.co/SZpl5PQ9KM — David Caldwell (@inonit) September 17, 2016

Jordan Morris earned hero accolades as he delivered a sublime diving header in the 81' minute. He got away from his defender, Jordan Smith and connected on the cross in to the Vancouver box from Nicolas Lodeiro. The crowd erupted as the Seattle native scored his biggest, and the teams biggest goal of the season, and perhaps against the Sounders biggest MLS rival. Man of the Match Teasing ball from Lodeiro catches Ousted & Vancouver's defense. HUGE result for Seattle. #SEAvVAN #Sounders #VWFChttps://t.co/W7OEibCiQB — MLS Anonymous (@MLS_Anonymous) September 17, 2016

Jordan Morris

Morris came to the rescue with a timely goal that keeps the Seattle Sounders playoff hopes alive. Big players produce goals in big matches, and Morris showed his skill and ability with a diving header. At just 21 years of age, Morris has been a fantastic addition to the Sounders this season. The rookie has scored 10 goals in his first MLS campaign and he has shown that he is a key contributor in the Seattle offensive attack. Who was your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Jordan Smith, David Edgar, Kendall Waston, Jordan Harvey; Christian Bolaños, Matias Laba, Pedro Morales(C), Cristian Techera, 62 (Giles Barnes); Nicolas Mezquida, 71, (Alphonso Davies), Erik Hurtado, 82 (Blas Perez). 4-4-2. Seattle Sounders Starting XI: Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Chad Marshall(C), Roman Torres, Joevin Jones; Osvaldo Alonso, Cristian Roldan; Alvaro Fernandez, 62 (Nelson Valdez), Nicolas Lodeiro, Andreas Ivanschitz, 72 (Erik Friberg); Jordan Morris, 94+ (Zach Scott). 4-2-3-1