P osted by

Harjeet Johal ,

May 28, 2017 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - Just as Vancouver Whitecaps FC were picking up steam, and building momentum, it all came to a screeching halt thanks to a shambolic decision by an MLS referee. D.C. United came into B.C. Place and secured a surprising 1-0 victory over the in form Whitecaps. Each team was awarded a penalty, that should never have been given, and it drastically changed the outcome of the match. D.C. United are awarded the penalty... #VWFC #VANvDC pic.twitter.com/X91Lt3qHuP — Vancouver Whitecaps (@WhitecapsFC) May 28, 2017

Carl Robinson did not hold back with his assessment of the pitiful penalties. "I haven’t seen our penalty, I've seen their penalty. It’s an awful call and it’s had a major impact in the game. Usually I don’t say or criticise anything that officials do because they have a hard enough job, but this official seems to cost us a lot. So it’s unfortunate. We should score one of our chances. I think D.C. United came with a game plan tonight to try to get a point, and they were gifted three by a wrong call. I could say it’s ok, it’s not ok, it's not ok. Because we’re talking about professional sports now. So it’s not ok." Lamar Neagle converted the controversial second half penalty, and Bill Hamid made four saves to earn his 2nd clean sheet of the season. A crowd of 20,905 spectators left the match feeling frustrated, and disappointed. Vancouver fall to 5-6-1 on the season. D.C. United improves to 4-6-2 on the season. D.C. United Coach, Ben Olsen shared his thoughts on the penalty decision that could have resulted in a late equalizer for Vancouver in stoppage time. Penalty to Vancouver. pic.twitter.com/O0jst8C7wy — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) May 28, 2017

"If our PK was a little dubious, then it all evens out and the post was on our side today. Of course I have a problem with the way that the decision went down, but there’s nothing I can do about it now. I dunno. I'm not an expert on referees." Vancouver goalkeeper, David Ousted finished the match with two saves. He held back his comments on both penalties that were awarded. "It's tough," said Ousted. "I think there's a lot of penalty calls in this league. I'll have to watch again, to comment on anything. I don't want to comment too much, or too little. I'll just say, that's I'll have to watch it again before I give you guys my opinion." D.C. United goalkeeper, Bill Hamid was equally unimpressed by decisions in the match. When pressed by Red Nation Online, he reserved comment on the penalty that went against his team. "I'm not sure," said Hamid. "I think you got to ask the referee. I did what I was taught since I was 5-years-old, and he called it a penalty." The Opening 45

Vancouver had the best of chances to opening the scoring as Cristian Techera, and Kendall Waston both hit the crossbar, moments apart. The Bug delivered an unmarked header that hit the woodwork. On the ensuing corner kick, Waston attempted a half bicycle kick that also struck the bar. Bill Hamid was cleanly beaten, but the Caps were hitting the bar early on a gorgeous afternoon. Whitecaps FC had the better scoring opportunities in the opening forty-five, but they had nothing to show for it. D.C. United was doing great job of slowing the match down, and protecting Hamid, in a defensive 4-1-4-1 formation. The Caps nearly opened the scoring before halftime. Tim Parker connected off a corner from Christian Bolanos. Hamid was in perfect position to stop the Caps centre-back.

Fredy Montero was turned aside in the 43' minute as he had a brilliant chance to score. Heading into the interval, the match awaiting the first goal. Vancouver held a firm 54% - 46% possession advantage. Vancouver also held a 4-3 advantage on corners. The Second Half

Christmas came early for D.C. United, and they were awarded a gift of a penalty in the 59' minute. Jose Ortiz darted into the Whitecaps FC box, and delivered an Oscar worthy flop. He was not touched, and he went down like he was shot. Referee, Sorin Stoica pointed to the spot, and awarded the visitors an unlikely penalty. Lamar Neagle stepped up, and calmly rifled the ball into the top corner. David Ousted had no chance to make the save. D.C. United were ahead 1-0 in the 61' minute. "When you look back at it, it’s not a PK", said Sheanon Williams. "People make mistakes, we move on. To be honest, it’s not us. We should have been up 3-0 at that point and we have to do better in front of goal. We have to put teams away when we have the chance and then we don’t run into things like that." Tensions were clearly ramped up for the final third of the match. Whitecaps FC players, and the vocal fans in attendance were not happy with the penalty decision. It's even more astounding when you realize that Jose Ortiz was fined, and found guilty of simulation by DisCo earlier in this week. #DCU's Jose Guillermo Ortiz got fined by the DisCo this week for ... whatever this was https://t.co/rVaEBP6hfa — Thomas Floyd (@thomasfloyd10) May 25, 2017

The Whitecaps weren't about to be denied a result thanks to a bogus penalty decision. They ramped up offensive pressure, and looked to secure the equalizer. D.C. United had other ideas, as Bill Hamid was focused, and in the zone. He had Fredy Montero's number and denied the Caps striker from in close. Hamid was a brick wall in net. Vancouver was awarded a penalty deep into stoppage time. Brek Shea went up and sent a header off the crossbar. Bill Hamid collided with Shea, and made no attempt to go for the ball. Vancouver was awarded a penalty, and a chance to draw even. Cristian Techera stepped up to take the penalty. The in form Techera beat Hamid, but did not beat the post. His shot struck the inside of the far post, and stayed out of the net. It just wasn't the day for Vancouver. Everything came up D.C. United in the end. Me watching the last 3 minutes of that match. pic.twitter.com/SvHkx5sCh1 — Total MLS (@TotalMLS) May 28, 2017



Man of the Match

Bill Hamid

The MLS leader in saves put on an outstanding performance. Hamid made several key saves to keep D.C. United ahead 1-0 after Neagle converted from the spot. It's been quite a difficult season for D.C. United, but not Bill Hamid. He has been a rock in net for Coach Ben Olsen, and he was without a doubt the top man. This is exactly the kind of performance D.C. United could use to get back on the right track. "It was a tough game for us," said Hamid. "We walked out of a tough environment with long travel, and three points. All in all it's a good game." Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston, Sheanon Williams, 90 (Mauro Rosales); Tony Tchani, 79 (Nicolas Mezquida), Andrew Jacobson; Alphonso Davies, 63 (Brek Shea), Christian Bolanos, Cristian Techera; Fredy Montero. 4-2-3-1. DC United Starting XI: Bill Hamid; Chris Korb, Steve Birnbaum(C), Kofie Opare, Taylor Kemp; Jared Jeffrey; Sebastien Le Toux, Luciano Acosta, 79 (Marcelo Sarvas), Ian Harkes, Lamar Neagle; Jose Ortiz, 65 (Patrick Mullins). 4-1-4-1