Highlights: Sounders FC 3 - 2 Whitecaps FC

SEATTLE, WA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to a 3-2 defeat against Cascadia rivals Seattle Sounders FC in front of 53,679 fans at CenturyLink Field on Saturday.

An early Andy Rose goal for Seattle was immediately cancelled out by Camilo, who also got a second to put Whitecaps FC 2-1 up at the break. However, Seattle went on to score two second half goals through Servando Carrasco from the penalty spot and Lamar Neagle to hand the 'Caps a tough defeat.

Head coach Martin Rennie made two changes to last weekend's starting lineup in New York, with Nigel Reo-Coker returning from suspension and Young-Pyo Lee coming in for Greg Klazura and Alain Rochat, who this week departed for D.C. United.

After a tense start to the match, Seattle took the lead in the ninth minute when Lamar Neagle played the ball through to Rose who kept his composure and finished past Brad Knighton into the far post to give the Sounders the early lead.

Whitecaps FC struck back immediately when Lee played the ball down the line for Teibert to race onto. The midfielder then crossed to the back post for Camilo to head back across goal and past Michael Gspurning to level the scores in the 10th minute, 1-1.

Seattle almost got a fortuitous second goal on 23 minutes when a long range strike from Neagle first hit Johnny Leveron and then Obafemi Martins before trickling just wide of the post.

Three minutes later Whitecaps FC won a free kick outside the area when Kenny Miller was fouled by Djimi Traore. Just like the first goal for the 'Caps, Teibert and Camilo combined again as the young Canuck swung the set piece into the box. The ball was met by the head of the Brazilian who finished past Gspurning for a second time to make it 2-1.

In first half injury time Vancouver won a corner after a surging run forward from Reo-Coker. The ball was swung to the far post where Andy O’Brien rose to head the ball down towards goal but Gspurning managed to turn it behind to keep the score at 2-1 as the teams went in at the break.

Whitecaps FC made a strong start to the second half and came close to scoring on 52 minutes when Camilo looked to run in on goal but was taken down outside the area. The Brazilian stepped up with a powerful low effort which Gspurning did well to get down and keep out. Reo-Coker leapt on the loose ball but was frustrated when 'the keeper recovered to keep out the rebound.

POST MATCH

INTERVIEWS:

Trailing in front of their home crowd, Martins looked to press for Seattle and was taken down by Jun Marques Davidson in the 54th minute. The vociferous home crowd were howling for a penalty but the referee called a free kick just outside the box and, fortunately for the Blue and White, Carrasco’s effort hit the wall and deflected to safety.

A pivotal moment came in the 64th minutes when O’Brien suffered an injury and, after lengthy treatment on the pitch, was taken off and replaced by Klazura. The move meant that Harvey switched to centre back, with Lee moving to right back and Klazura at left back.

Seattle almost capitalized immediately when Martins wriggled free in the box but the striker shot wide from close range.

With continuous pressure, the Sounders did manage to get an equalizer five minutes later though when Klazura brought down Neagle in the box, for which the referee awarded a penalty. Carrasco stepped up to bury the spot kick into the top corner beyond the dive of Knighton.

Despite Seattle being in the ascendency, it was Vancouver who next came close to scoring in the 71st minute with Reo-Coker embarking on a surging run down the right. The midfielder found Miller in the box who managed to escape the attentions of a Seattle defender before cutting the ball back for Camilo, but the Brazilian couldn’t reach the cross as Seattle cleared.

The momentum swung back in Seattle’s favour and they managed to capitalize on their late surge in the 81st minute when Rose found Martins in the area. The striker got past two defenders before putting the ball across for Neagle to poke home a simple finish from close range, giving the home side a 3-2 advantage.

With time running out for the 'Caps, they pushed for an equalizer but despite a late free kick shout being turned down when Reo-Coker was chopped down, Vancouver were left to rue the final whistle as the referee called time on a 3-2 win for Seattle.

After the match, Rennie reflected on the effort of his team in a hostile environment.

"This team has got a lot of character and a lot of drive," said Rennie. "We’re close to clicking and doing well, but it’s disappointing that we didn’t get a result tonight. We look forward to getting back at it next week and again I’m pleased with the performance of players like Camilo and Russell who are doing well at the moment."

Budweiser Man of the Match was awarded to Camilo for his two-goal performance against Vancouver's Cascadia rivals.

Next up for Whitecaps FC is a home match against New England Revolution on Saturday June 15. Kickoff at BC Place is at 7 p.m. PT