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Harjeet Johal ,

September 16, 2015 Twitter

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VANCOUVER, B.C - TThe final chapter in the 2015 Cascadian Cup was written on Saturday afternoon at BC Place. All that the Seattle Sounders needed was a draw to hoist the elusive the Cascadia Cup for the first time since 2011. The Whitecaps would require a win in front of 21,000 supporters. Andreas Ivanschitz, Gonzalo Pineda, and Obafemi Martins each scored a goal to help Seattle claim a 3-0 victory to hoist up the Cascadia Cup in enemy territory. Carl Robinson was happy with the work rate and effort his team put forth despite not earning a result. "I can't fault my boys in there today. I thought they were fantastic. It's easy for me to say that, but we lost 3-nil. I was proud of them because we had a right go at them. Sucker-punch in the first half. We had two or three good chances in the first half and we don't take them there. One chance and they take it. There a good team so that happens. Second half, I thought we played on the front foot, I thought we played some exciting football in the final third, but we lost." David Ousted is not one to hide his opinion. The often animated goalkeeper pointed to the bottom line as the reason why Vancouver were not able to overcome the Seattle Sounders for the second time at home in MLS play this season. "I thought in periods of the game we did well. We got at them, but at the end of the day the score bug doesn't lie. They were better than us at what's important in this game, and that's scoring goals." Sounders head coach Sigi Schmidt weighed in on what was a critical three points for what has been a disappointing season for them in the Western Conference. "Obviously, we are happy with the result, I thought we played very well. In the first half, we did a good job of keeping possession. We held steady, I knew we were going to get some chances on the counter attack because they were pushing people forward and we were able to score two goals on the counter attack.” The Opening 45

Vancouver and Seattle both came into this match missing marque players. Morales (Hamstring), Beitashour (Knee) and Darren Mattocks (Rib) did not play for the Whitecaps. The Sounders were without Erik Friberg (Groin), and Roman Torres who suffered a season-ending knee injury against the San Jose Earthquakes on September 12. The Whitecaps and Sounders both know each other very well and thus, there were no early surprises for either sides. The first half was hotly contested and primarily fought over in the midfield. Octavio Rivero had an early opportunity to put the home side ahead, but was stopped thanks to some excellent goalkeeping from Stefan Frei in the 19' minute. Referee Baldomero Toledo kept a close eye on the physical contact and shirt tugging in the box. Yellow cards were issued to Russell Teibert for a rash tackle on Clint Dempsey and to Brad Evans for fouling Whitecaps midfielder Mauro Rosales. With supporter sections for both teams making noise and clamouring for calls, Toledo did well to control emotions in the first half. As the first half ticked away, the fast paced tempo slowed down as Seattle and Vancouver looked to gain any type of tactical edge. Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins were well kept in check by holding midfielder duo Gershon Koffie and Russell Teibert. Cristian Techera has had a fine rookie season for Vancouver with 6 goals scored. Techera made a late burst in on goal in the 42' minute and fired a low shot that was not enough to trouble Stefan Frei. The first forty-five looked to remain scoreless until Seattle broke the deadlocked thanks to a Sounders addition earning his first career MLS start. Obafemi Martins picked out Andreas Ivanschitz with a brilliant curling cross. The Austrian international was able to sneak behind Kendall Waston, and Russell Teibert on the left flank. Right-back Jordan Smith was unable to contain an unguarded Ivanschitz as he beat David Ousted between the legs far post in the 44' minute. “It was great. It was awesome, not only for me but also because we won against a very good team," said Ivanschitz. "Three points on the road, that’s great for us. I’m very happy to score my first goal for the Sounders. That feels great for me.” A late marker from the Sounders sent them off to the interval with a 1-0 lead and a possession advantage of 67% - 33%. The Seattle Princesses are putting on quite a performance tonight. So many miraculous recoveries. #VWFC #VANvSEA — Christy Clark (@christyclarkbc) September 20, 2015

Oh, Octavio. Like my father says: Goals missed are goals against #VWFC #VANvSEA — FTBL Podcast (@FromTheBackline) September 19, 2015

The Second Half

Neither side elected to make any substitutions before the second half kicked off. The Whitecaps played with more urgency and ball awareness as they entered the Sounders half on more regularity. Shots on target from Kekuta Manneh, and Mauro Rosales did not threaten the Sounders or Swiss goalkeeper Stefen Frei. A moment of frustration came upon Cristian Techera as he looked to Baldomero Toledo for a penalty call inside the area. The Uruguayan had his shot hit the hand of Sounders midfielder Oniel Fisher in the 54' minute. While Techara waved his arms about looking for a handball call, none was forthcoming from Toledo. Sigi Schmid blinked first and made the first substitution of the match in the 65' minute as goal-scorer Andreas Ivanschitz excited the match for Nelson Valdez on 64' minutes. Carl Robinson elected to wait until the 73' minute to make his first swap, but it proved to be too late as Seattle countered with another counter-attacking goal as they caught Vancouver on the break. Clint Dempsey played a lovely pass to Gonzalo Pineda who outraced Jordan Smith before dribbling around Gershon Koffie. The 32 year-old MLS veteran fired a cracker from distance that went into the net off the right post. David Ousted could do nothing as the Whitecaps were the victims of poor defending after getting forward. Seattle held firm with a 2-0 lead in the 71'. Substitutions from both coaches came in the 73'. Brad Evans and Mauro Rosales both left the pitch. Nelson Valdez and Nicolas Mezquida entered the playing surface with Valdez picking up the second assist on Pineda's tally. Tempers started to flare up at midfield as Kendall Waston fouled Clint Dempsey cleanly and took the ball off of him. The Sounders were upset that Waston went in with a two footed challenge. At first glance, no card was issued. Upon further inspection, Toledo reached into his book and flashed a yellow towards Whitecaps centre-back. David Ousted sported the captains arm-band during the match and shared what he saw during the midfield altercation. "We've got to watch what I'm saying here. I don't think the ref saw the free kick. He ended up giving Kendall a yellow card and then afterwards, Dempsey got at him in a duel and he didn't give a yellow card. I think that says all that you can say about that situation. Yeah, I'll stop myself there." Things only got worse for Vancouver as Seattle would once again catch the Whitecaps sleeping on the counter attack with a third and decisive goal. Dempsey had Russell Teibert wrapped all over him, but still managed to square the ball into the middle of the Whitecaps box to an oncoming and unmarked Obafemi Martins. David Ousted was out of his net to challenge Dempsey and thus left Martins to convert on an unguarded net in the 87' minute. Zach Scott saw the clock count down and knew it was not just three points, but another boost in lifting their first Cascadia Cup in some time. “It’s huge, I can’t remember the last time we won it. It’s something we are proud to take home and I know, to the fans it’s a big deal to them. Any trophy you win is fantastic but the three points in the league are key.” Galaxy also lose 3-0, which means #VWFC remain top of the table in @MLS. — Farhan Devji (@farhandevji) September 20, 2015 Seattle and Vancouver never fail to produce an entertaining football match. Vancouver had their chances early and as well as after the re-start, but weren't able to score. The Sounders pressed forward and caught the Whitecaps at the back. The Sounders captured the Cascadia Cup and did so with ease in a match of missed opportunities for Carl Robinson and his players.



Man of the Match



Jordan Harvey

Vancouver really missed the presence of Matias Laba and Pedro Morales tonight. The leadership and skill level from both individuals was apparent in absence on the pitch for the Whitecaps. While many Whitecaps players had moments were they looked to lose their cool. Jordan Harvey did not. He was able to make runs up the left side and maintain his defensive responsibilities. Harvey has provided a stable presence throughout the season and he did so vs Seattle. "It's difficult man, because I thought we did play well. We were organized that first half and we created some good chances. It's a tale of two games. I feel like whoever scores first really has the upper hand and then the other team pushes and the other team gets a few goals. We go into their place and we do this to them. It really is, I feel whoever scores." Who was your Whitecaps Man of the Match?

Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted(C); Jordan Smith, Kendall Waston, Pa Modou Kah, Jordan Harvey (Sam Adekugbe 89); Gershon Koffie (Kianz Froese 89), Russell Teibert; Cristian Techera, Mauro Rosales (Nicolas Mezqudia 73), Kekuta Manneh; Octavio Rivero. 4-2-3-1) Seattle Sounders Starting XI: Stefan Frei; Tyrone Mears, Chad Marshall, Zach Scott, Oniel Fisher; Brad Evans(C) (Cristian Roldan 73), Osvaldo Alonso (Leo Gonzalez 85), Gonzalo Pineda, Andreas Ivanschitz (Nelson Valdez 65); Clint Dempsey, Obafemi Martins. 4-4-2) Notes: Dhe Whitecaps do not expect to have Pedro Morales and Steven Beitashour available for Wednesday's CONCACAF Champions League Group F match against Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field.