Issue #11 - Results are Results
Whitecaps FC get themselves a draw against CPL side Valour FC, a win against MLS side Real Salt Lake, and do both with unconvincing play. What's in store for their trip down to Mexico?
Hello!
After a week where the Whitecaps FC got their Canadian Championship defense underway on the road in Winnipeg, and followed it up with an MLS match down in Salt Lake, it should be hard to argue that losing neither is the real win here.
But I have to say, I have a couple concerns…
The View
Let’s be honest. As good as Valour FC played this past Tuesday, they had no business taking Whitecaps FC to task. And yes, I’m saying this having witnessed just that.
I can appreciate that Jesper Sørensen rotated nearly the entirety of his lineup. I can also appreciate that Valour FC came into the match with nothing to lose, and played like a team feeding on momentum like it was candy.
But both Valour goals were self-inflicted wounds from poor decision making on behalf of the ‘Caps, after getting an early lead off a strike from the returning Sam Adekugbe.
On that note, does a Whitecaps FC goal count if you can’t watch it on Fubo TV? Those of us stuck with the channel had to wait out for CF Montreal to lose late against Forge FC.
You had Isaac Boehmer, normally a steady hand in relief, making some real choices. You had some inconsistent officiating, which allowed Valour to play a style that unsettled the Whitecaps. And you had nearly the entirety of the Whitecaps starting XI give the ball up far too easily, our make the wrong choice at every opportunity.
Save for Damir Kreilach. He actually didn’t have much an impact good or bad.
Thankfully the boys in blue & white held things close for regular starters Ali Ahmed & Sebastian Berhalter to enter and draw it up 2-2.
Still… the match left me wondering if the magic beans Axel Schuster acquired in the offseason were in short supply. Might the run of success be slowing just a week before the biggest match in Whitecaps FC MLS history?
Five minutes into the match against Real Salt Lake it sure looked that way.
I really don’t know what to make of the first five minutes of Saturday’s match. For instance, it appeared like the Whitecaps had a lineup on the pitch for opening kickoff, but it sure didn’t seem like they understood the match had actually started.
Heck, the first goal of the match came quicker than one of those “sporting mea cupla” goals where one side lets the other score after taking advantage of unsporting play.
And just minutes later, Real Salt Lake went ahead by two on an absolute meal of a rebound from the recently steady Yohei Takaoka.
Was this match it? Were the signs we’d been seeing over the past couple weeks all true?
Not according to the head & boot of Brian White.
Brian did what Brian does off a Sebastian Berhalter corner at the 20’ mark. And after VAR caught an fortunate (or unfortunate if your perspective differs) handball 3 minutes later, and Brian White hammered home his first ever penalty attempt of his MLS career.
Tie game.
Madness of the first half aside, had the Whitecaps simply decided to hold on to that single point and regroup for the week ahead, I likely would’ve been okay with that.
Sure I’m always wanting more, this season more than ever.
But a draw after such a horrid start of the match isn’t a bad result in my books.
Again, Brian White had a differing opinion and nearly won the match on his own.
He had two absolutely glorious chances to notch his third. And arguably, should have scored on his first despite the phenomenal kick out save from the Real Salt Lake keeper.
But the fight we saw from the early season ‘Caps was on full display the entirety of the second half, and while it took them to stoppage time to get the result they wanted, the Pedro Vite cracker at the 90’ mark was absolutely glorious.
Whitecaps FC 3. Real Salt Lake 2.
The Good
Brian White. I still can’t believe he scored his first PK of his MLS career this past weekend. How has he never stepped up to the spot before?!
The Not So Good
(Casually waving at everything) With a match tomorrow night before hitting the road for the big one down in Mexico on Sunday, all of “that” better be sorted.
Around the Pitch
Curious how Axel Schuster feels his team is doing? Or better yet, wonder what he’s got cooking in his kitchen? He sat down with the AFTN Soccer Show podcast crew to discuss all that and more (82:41).
Cristiano Ronaldo is out of contract and has said while his Al-Nassr chapter has ended, his footballing journey continues. And apparently The Mirror US thinks the Whitecaps FC are in the mix for his services. 😆
With the Whitecaps FC taking on Minnesota here at home on Wednesday, I’ll be missing the match as I’ll be coaching my daughter’s softball team at the same time (family is always first). To help ensure y’all still get a “View From,” Jordan has graciously offered to cover for my absence.
And remember, the big match takes place on Sunday. Any of you headed down to Mexico to watch? Or are you headed to the Terry Fox Plaza outside BC Place for the official watch party? If you have a “View From” you’d like to share from either, I’d be happy to include it in next week’s newsletter.
I’ll be watching that one for sure, but I’m always keen to share the voices of any supporter who’s got one to offer.
From my seat to your browser!
If you enjoyed this, please consider sharing on social media or forwarding it to someone that you think would love it just as much! ❤️
-Chris (@lyteforce.ca)