The game started out with chances for both sides. The Union’s great opportunity from a Rosenberry throw. His long toss was flicked smartly by Richie Marquez and found Tranquillo Barnetta streaking through the box. Barnetta took a touch and was promptly closed down by David Ousted in goal, who made a great stop by making himself big, preventing a point blank shot.

Roland Alberg looked to build off of his hat trick Wednesday night by getting on the board early. His first shot was one from distance that didn’t trouble Ousted, his next was a turn-and-shot from the PK spot, which was met with a sliding challenge to block his well-hit shot.

It was Alberg in the end who opened the scoring. Some nice one-touch play in front of the Vancouver box resulted in Fabian Herbers getting enough space for a shot near the top of the box. His powerful effort rattled the woodwork where the crossbar and back post met. The rebound came off Sebastien Le Toux, as hand ball cries rang around the Whitecap defenders. The second ball fell to Alberg who smashed it home for his 5th goal of the year, extending his goal streak.

The Whitecaps found an equalizer in the 20th minute with a goal by Andrew Jacobson, who was up for a corner. Andre Blake came out to claim the cross in traffic, but was unable to keep control as the ball slipped through his grasp. Jacobson popped up at the back post to head home intao an empty net.

A tremendous save by Blake kept the scores level shortly later. Nicolas Mezquida had way too much room in front of the Union box and took his chance. His shot was destined for the top right corner until Blake came flying across the net to smack the ball out for a corner.

Vancouver took the lead in the 41st minute from a great run by Kekuta Manneh. The Whitecaps have been a danger on the counter all game, and a moment of brilliance from the Vancouver forward was enough to take the lead before half. Manneh had space to run at Josh Yaro in the back, who stumbled over his challenge, allowing Manneh the ability to win a 50/50 and push the ball past the rookie. Richie Marquez did his best to cover his defensive partner but Manneh got his shot off before Marquez could close the distance. His low effort pinged off of the inside of the near post and across the goalmouth into the opposite side of the goalmouth before nestling in the far corner of the net.

Vancouver led 2-1 in a first half where the Whitecaps held a slight advantage with 51% possession, yet the Union led in shots with 7 to the WhiteCaps 4. Despite more total shots, Vancouver hit the target with 3 out of 4 shots while the Union only hit the target once in its 7 attempts. Vancouver looked dangerous on the counter, especially when Barnetta pushed forward leaving a gap in the midfield.

The second half begun with the Union pushing forward right away to nab an equalizer.

From a set piece on the right side, Barnetta forced a last second decision by Ousted who made a great diving stop. The Swiss man hit an in-swinging cross toward goal, with Marquez barreling down on the ball. The Union defender just missed the cross, which was headed for the far corner, causing Ousted to react quickly to paw the ball away.

These plays are incredibly tough for a keeper since committing one way could cause an easy goal. Should Marquez get a touch, Ousted must be grounded, ready for a reaction save, but should the ball get through, he must also be ready to save the initial shot/cross. If he commits to his left, to claim the initial cross, Marquez can easily nick the ball into the other corner. However, if Ousted believes Marquez will get the shot off, and commits to his right for the shot in line with Marquez’s run, he runs the risk of the cross heading straight into the net without touching a single player. Hats off to the Vancouver keeper for dealing with this play brilliantly.

Vancouver sat in for most of the second half, urging the Union to try and break down their defense. The Union has struggled to create chances in such tight quarters. Most of the Union’s offense was previously through Ilsinho, Alberg and Barnetta in the middle. With the change in tactics the Union struggled to adjust to creating in wide areas.

One of the best chance of the second half fell to Chris Pontius, the substitute. Herbers worked to get enough room for a cross that he put perfectly for Pontius to volley out of the air. The winger’s shot was well hit but dipped late, just beyond the crossbar for a goal kick.

Following a skillful nutmeg on the left wing, it was Chris Pontius this time, who put a great early cross in for Sebastien Le Toux. The Frenchman couldn’t get enough mustard on the cross as his attempt trickled on to Ousted.

Vancouver sealed the deal with a 3rd goal in the 84th minute. The Whitecap’s had men on the attack and outnumbered the Union defense. Christian Boloños was wide open on the left side and received a diagonal ball from forward Eric Hurtado. Rosenberry closed him down quickly but Boloños cut inside to create enough space for a shot, which he lashed to the near post past Blake.

The Union nabbed a consolation goal in stoppage time. The initial header by Marquez was saved well by Ousted but Pontius stepped in to hammer home on the goal line. The ref blew for full time not a minute later, as the Union dropped it’s first home game, 3-2.

Thoughts on the game:

Vancouver looked sloppy in the early goings, and failed to get any real momentum.

Carroll was influential in this Union midfield. He was often isolated when Barnetta and Alberg push forward, but did well to sit in front of the defense and protect them.

Morales is the one who pulls the strings for Vancouver, he has seemed lazy and misplaced a couple passes but it is obvious he possesses tremendous quality, and will need to play better to create counters for the Whitecaps.

Herbers doesn’t have the same movement that CJ Sapong uses in the box during crosses. He doesn’t criss-cross defenders and make marking difficult for them, but instead runs in a straight line to goal, which is much easier to mark. Sapong meanwhile doesn’t possess as good movement in the midfield. Herbers works tirelessly to run in the channels and open space for Alberg and Ilsinho.

Alberg keeps popping up in dangerous areas and seems the most likely to score on any given play, that said his movement isn’t what is giving him the space, but from good movement by Herbers, or a great run with the ball by Barnetta or Ilsinho.

Vancouver has been a huge threat on the counter. Sloppy passing, and pressure from the Union back line have been the only things keeping them from more attacks.

Le Toux was very effective on the right side throughout the year, thanks to his delicious right footed crosses. On the left side, however, his crosses lack the pace and quality. Very few have come close to the intended target, with the first defender clearing before it makes it into a dangerous area. A switch between the wingers could allow Le Toux to play on his stronger right, and for Ilsinho to cut in on the dribble and combine with the forwards, as opposed to running to the end line which he was forced into doing often.

Carroll is alone in the midfield too often; another central midfielder could help prevent Vancouver counter attacks.

A well-organized defense is tough to break down; Vancouver is doing an excellent job to prevent the Union from getting opportunities and should be a model of defending as a unit.

Leo Fernandes has been promising since coming on, especially in such a tight situation. Walter Resptrepo was a little underwhelming but was put in an equally tough situation as Fernandes. It would be interesting to see more of Fernandes in different roles, since he showcases good technique and awareness.

Line-ups and game summary:

David Ousted (1)

Jordan Smith (6), Tim Parker (26), Andrew Jacobson (17), Jordan Harvey (2)

Matias Laba (15), Pedro Morales (77)

Kekuta Manneh (23), Nicolas Mezquida (11), Christian Bolaños (7)

Eric Hurtado (19)

Fabian Herbers (11)

Sebastien Le Toux (9), Roland Alberg (6), Ilsinho (25)

Tranquillo Barnetta (10), Brian Carroll (7)

Keegan Rosenberry (12), Josh Yaro (15), Richie Marquez (16), Fabinho (33)

Andre Blake (1)

Summary:

Stat {Team}: Player (number) [time](assist)

Kickoff: [1′]

Goal PHL: Roland Alberg (6) [14′] (assist Le Toux)

Goal VAN: Andrew Jacobson (17) [20′] (unassisted)

Yellow PHL: Tranquillo Barnetta (10) [36’]

Goal VAN: Kekuta Manneh (23) [41′] (assist Morales)

Halftime: [45’+1]

Yellow VAN: Kekuta Manneh (23) [51’]

Sub PHL: Chris Pontius (13) for Ilsinho (25) [65’]

Sub VAN: Russell Tibert (19) for Morales (77) [65’]

Sub VAN: Blas Perez (27) for Nicolas Mesquita (11) [75’]

Sub PHL: Walter Restrepo (20) for Fabian Herbers (11) [76’]

Sub VAN: Christian Techera (13) for Kekuna Manneh (23) [79’]

Sub PHL: Leo Fernandes (22) for Fabinho (33) [82’]

Goal VAN: Christian Boloños (7) [84′] (assist Hurtado)

Fulltime: [90’+4] VAN:3, PHL:2