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Harjeet Johal ,

October 30, 2017 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - Whitecaps FC and Sounders FC will travel down Interstate 5 to Seattle for a match that will be determined by the goals scored Thursday night at CenturyLink Field following a nil-nil first leg western conference semifinal at B.C. Place. 27,837 fans were treated to a chess match as neither side showed much of anything going forward. This sets up a Cascadia clash with the victor heading to the conference finals against Portland or Houston. “It was important we didn’t concede today," Carl Robinson said. "In two-legged ties, I think conceding at home is a no-no. I learnt that two years ago. That was the mindset. We can be better going forward, we setup slightly tactically different today, and it worked. They defended for their lives, they were excellent, and limited a very good Seattle team to no chances. Probably the best chance was when Kendall hit the bar. So credit to them for that. Fairly happy.” lol pic.twitter.com/PRdc4zUt1G — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) October 30, 2017

Stefan Marinovic, and Stefan Frei had next to nothing to contend with in front of goal. The lone shot on target came from a Chad Marshall header. The top scoring opportunity for either team came from a Waston clearance that struck the Vancouver crossbar. "As soon as I see the ball, that’s a very dangerous ball for us," Waston said. "I sent it back to defend because you’re going with speed across your goal, and just seeing that ball hit the crossbar, I was so relieved." Vancouver's stout defensive work puts them in the driver's seat as they can advance with a win, or anything greater than a nil-nil draw on Thursday. The approach for Whitecaps FC has to change, as they need a goal, while Seattle will look to score early, and often. "Tonight was a bit of a mess," Jake Nerwinski admitted, post-match. "Not many shots, just a lot of hitting. Maybe we can get a little bit more going forward next match. We didn’t really have that much today, but we’re just going to work on grinding it out, staying good defensively, and trying to get a little bit more offence." Seattle Sounders FC Coach Brian Schmetzer would have liked a strong performance from his team offensively. He'll be hoping Sounders FC can get back on track in Seattle. "I actually wish we would have pressed the issue a little bit more. I thought there were opportunities in the second half, and even the one opportunity we had in the first half where we were able to get behind their defence and actually create some problems. Vancouver’s too good of a team for us to just sit in and defend. We have to score goals, so the balance was there maybe, but I almost wish we could have pushed for the first goal." If anyone asks me why I think MLS should just do one-game elimination in playoffs, I’ll tell them to watch the first 30 minutes of #VANvSEA. — Caitlin Murray (@caitlinmurr) October 30, 2017

The Opening 45

The stars were not aligned as several prominent attack minded players did not start for their respective teams. Clint Dempsey (Suspension), Jordan Morris (Hamstring) did not make the Seattle 18. Yordy Reyna, and Cristian Techera both missed out on the starting eleven because of minor injury niggles, but came on as substitutes. "I think you saw in the 20, 30 minute they played, it was the right decision," revealed Carl Robinson. "They weren’t as lively as what they were on Wednesday night. So everything plays into your mind when you play a two-legged series, and for those two guys especially it’s worked out very well. Hopefully they’ll be full fit in three, four days.” What in the world is this USA Today photo of Aly Ghazal headlocking Ozzie Alonso and Nicolás Lodeiro at the same time... #VANvSEA pic.twitter.com/znD5l0UUIh — Ryan Krasnoo (@RyanKras) October 30, 2017

The midfield was a fortress for both sides, as nothing of note materialized going forward. Seattle wanted that all important away goal and Whitecaps FC weren't about to breakdown defensively and allow a prime scoring opportunity for Sounders FC. The best scoring opportunity of the half came from Kendall Waston as he almost gifted Seattle an away goal. Joevin Jones broke down the flank, and got around Nerwinski. He crossed the ball into the Caps box, and in attempt to clear the ball, Waston's attempt hit the Vancouver crossbar, causing a gasp from the crowd. Heading into the interval, neither side looked all that bothered about scoring. Quality chances were lacking, and it was a defensive showdown. The midfield was fought over extensively with Sounders FC claiming a first half possession advantage of 51% - 49%. The Second Half

The match opened up with both teams creating a little bit more in the way of offensive. Chad Marshall had a brilliant header on goal that Stefan Marinovic came across his net to save. Seattle pushed forward, and Vancouver pushed back. Yordy Reyna entered the match in the 62' minute as Carl Robinson decided it was time to unleash his Peruvian maestro. Vancouver had kept Sounders FC off the score-sheet for long enough, and now it was time to turn the tables and find a goal for themselves. It was a good old fashion Cascadia stalemate with the second leg to bring the biggest reward for Vancouver or Seattle. The Caps did what they had to do at home, by keeping Sounders FC off the score sheet. If they can go into CenturyLink Field, find a goal, play outstanding defence, that could be curtains for the defending MLS Cup champions. Man of the Match

Marcel De Jong

RIn a match were every square inch of the pitch was contested, Marcel De Jong came up big defensively. The offensively minded left-back was tested time, and time again on his flank, as Seattle looked for long balls over the top to Kelvin Leerdman. The Canadian international, was there to clear the ball out of danger, and prevent Sounders FC from crossing into the Caps box for a scoring attempt. De Jong stepped up and made sure Seattle wasn't about to score an away goal on his watch. Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: Stefan Marinovic; Marcel De Jong, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Jake Nerwinski; Tony Tchani, Aly Ghazal; Brek Shea, 89 (Nicolas Mezqudia), Nosa, 62 (Yordy Reyna), Christian Bolanos, 76 (Cristian Techera); Fredy Montero. 4-2-3-1. Seattle Sounders Starting XI: Stefan Frei; Kelvin Leerdam, Roman Torres, Chad Marshall, 78 (Lamar Neagle); Nouhou; Cristian Roldan, Jordy Delem, 64 (Gustav Svensson); Harry Shipp, 74 (Osvaldo Alonso), Nicolas Lodeiro(C), Joevin Jones; Will Bruin. 4-2-3-1.