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Harjeet Johal ,

October 4, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - This weekend was a huge opportunity for all three Canadian MLS teams to clinch a 2015 MLS playoff spot. Vancouver had the easier of routes as they controlled their own destiny requiring only a win away to the San Jose Earthquakes. Toronto and Montreal both need help. Carl Robinson and his players never seem to have an easy time in San Jose and that continued on this occasion. Chris Wondolowski cancelled out a first half goal from Cristian Techera as both teams settled for a 1-1 draw before 18,000 fans at Avaya Stadium. Vancouver had plenty of first half opportunities to put the Earthquakes away and pile up the goals, but they missed chance after chance in the final third. Whitecaps Coach Carl Robinson talked about the pressure his team faced and how they dealt with it. "We dealt with the pressure. I didn’t think we were under that much pressure and we were able to soak it up and catch them on the counter. Unfortunately we didn’t actually execute our transitions enough to get the three points but we’ll deal with it." The Opening 45

Octavio Rivero was a surprise starter for the Whitecaps after missing training all week with an Achilles injury. Vancouver's leading scorer didn't appear to be ailing as he had a dynamite opening forty-five, linking up with Cristian Techera and Mauro Rosales to create numerous chances inside the San Jose box. The Caps finished with seven first half corners, but never really threatened San Jose on any of them. Kendall Waston had a ball bounce off his chest. Jordan Harvey was in the right place at the right time, but could not convert. San Jose hunkered down and defending with a strong defensive front. It wouldn't be until the 39' minute that Vancouver finally broke through and found a goal. A scrambled play inside the San Jose box caused some chaos as the Earthquakes failed to clear the ball. Techera was able to get the ball, fake to his left, fake to his right, and sent a pair of defenders to the pitch. What seemingly looked like a harmless shot deflected off Clarence Goodson and up and over David Bingham. Vancouver went into the break with a possession advantage of 57% - 43% and a 1-0 lead. #VWFC sticking with their cherished tradition of crapping the bed. This year they just moved it back from August to Sept/Oct. — Kasey Hunter (@KRWJonze) October 4, 2015 A game of mistakes tonight. Techera's freak goal, Ousted's gaffe and Manneh's touch of doom. Not exactly poetry. #VWFC #SJvVAN — Eighty Six Forever (@86forever) October 4, 2015

The Second Half

The remainder of the match was not something Carl Robinson will be drawing up for a football seminar. Vancouver parked the bus and got very little going on offense. San Jose needed an important win to stay alive in the playoff race and they came out firing and looking for an equalizer to stay in contention. In the 62' minute Earthquakes midfielder Cordell Cato slipped in between Jordan Harvey and Tim Parker. His shot on target was saved by David Ousted, but not properly controlled by the keeper. Ousted bobbled the ball and San Jose sniper Chris Wondolowski pounced on the ball and sent it into the top corner. The Caps defenders got ball watching and Ousted's blunder was devoured by Wondolowski. The Danish goalkeeper took all responsibility on his shoulders. "It’s not good enough for me. It happens to the best, we all make mistakes, but I’ve always held myself to high standards and I continue to do that." Sensing that San Jose was hungry for another goal, Carl Robinson brought on Chilean magician Pedro Morales in the 70' minute for Mauro Rosales. Like Rivero, Morales had been hobbled in training this week with a hamstring injury. The Morales experiment was not a shining moment for the Whitecaps. Full-back Jordan Smith had to come on in the 89' minute to replace Pedro Morales. The Whitecaps finished the final moments of the match in a 5-2-2-1 formation with no attacking midfielder. Surprisingly this tactic almost paid off as Kekuta Manneh was sent in 1v1, but failed to fire off a shot on target. The San Jose Earthquakes have never been a friendly opponent for the Whitecaps. Sometimes players can play down to their opponents. Scoring opportunities were well for the taking in the first half, but Vancouver continued to miss those chances and Chris Wondolowski continues to be a Whitecaps killer. Play of the Match

Without a doubt, Kekuta Manneh had the Whitecaps world at his feet with thirty-seconds left in second half stoppage time. Steven Beitashour sprung Manneh, and Techera both 1v1 with goalkeeper David Bingham. A pressing Earthquakes defense meant that both Whitecaps wingers were off to the races. Manneh buried his head and put the speed burners on as he looked to score the winner. Unfortunately for Caps supporters, his touch let him down and Manneh dribbled into Bingham and lost control of the ball. Techera was wide open, but alas, the goal-scoring opportunity fell to the waist side as Vancouver could have clinched a playoff spot. Kekuta Manneh talked about his big missed chance. "I don’t know what happened. I took the touch a bit too far and then the goalkeeper came out. He came out, great timing for the goalkeeper, but the touch should’ve been better." Man of the Match







Cristian Techera

Techera was buzzing all over the pitch especially during the first half. His patience and skills were well on display during his goal. Techera has been a huge addition for the Whitecaps and his play against San Jose was among the bright spots for a team that should have converted more chances into goals. Despite his vertical challenges, Techera was visible on Whitecaps scoring opportunities and a clear threat for San Jose Earthquake defenders all night long. Who was your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted(C); Steven Beitashour, Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Gershon Koffie; Cristian Techera, Mauro Rosales (Pedro Morales 70) (Jordan Smith 89), Kekuta Manneh; Octavio Rivero. (4-2-3-1) San Jose Earthquakes Starting XI: David Bingham; Marvell Wynne (Tommy Thompson 74), Victor Bernardez, Clarence Goodson, Shaun Francis; Cordell Cato, JJ Koval, Anibal Godoy, Shea Salinas; Chris Wondolowski(C), Quincy Amarikwa. (4-4-2)