Issue #17 - LA Gives, LA Takes Away
Reliving the sadness of the Galaxy match, shouting out supporter Angela, and critiquing the Whitecaps' defensive strategy. Just your average newsletter.
Hello!
Remember those winning ways from a week back? Keep remembering them as you relive the match that was against the Galaxy.
Before we get there though, just wanted to give a shout out to Angela who not only reads through to the end of the From 231 newsletter, but answered my call to action. You are the best!
The View
How much do the Whitecaps FC miss Sebastian Berhalter and Brian White do you think? Besides possessing an inability to generate much in the offensive side of the pitch as of late, the defensive support has been… shall we say… lacking?!
Yet neither would’ve been much help considering what happened early in the match against the Galaxy. With Yohei Takaoka spilling the ball something terrible (hat tip to Connor for getting my reference over on Bluesky), gifting LA a lead at the 2’ mark, Vancouver found themselves in a recently familiar place - down a goal early and having to fight back.
The thing is, as the half went on it did feel like the ‘Caps had some fight in them. Sure the defensive support was a bit lacking, and the back line was being left to perform small miracles in an effort to keep it a one-goal game, but sometimes you have to embrace a bold strategy.
Or was the strategy too bold? We discovered the answer at the 60’ mark when the Galaxy went up 2-0.
When I watched the goal live, I struggled to comprehend how the Galaxy had an open man down the left wing. The Whitecaps had three defenders back, Galaxy was pressing ahead with two, and it didn’t appear anyone blew an assignment in coverage.
Until the replay.
The Galaxy midfield pushed up. The Whitecaps midfield enjoyed the view. And what was originally a 2 on 3, turned into a 5 on 3. Bold strategy not so bold after all.
Fast-forward to the 77’ mark and LA is up 3-nil after some panicked defending resulted in Ranko Veselinović fouling in the area and gifting a PK.
Game. Over.
Unless of course your Jayden Nelson, who decided kicking the ball well out of play during added time in an act of dissent while already on a caution.
Oh fer fuzzbuckets sake was it dumb.
If there’s any saving grace for Jayden’s action, it’s that he’s still available to play in tomorrow’s match against Valour FC. Though I’d be happy to simply see his butt stapled to the bench to consider the poor choice.
The Good
The Gold Cup is over.
The Not So Good
The entire Vancouver Midfield.
Jayden Nelson. It wasn’t on the level of Efrain Juarez during his “glorious” Whitecaps tenure, but as far as boneheaded decisions go, Jayden’s red card is definitely up there.
A slight shortly newsletter this week as I didn’t get my act together in time to sort out of a topic for Around the Pitch. Look for it to return next week.
And if you made it this far - as I’m thinking a few more of you will considering the nod to Angela above - my inbox is always open. Want my opinion or thoughts on something? Got an idea you want to put forward? Or maybe you just want to say “hello” to me? Replying to this (and any issue) is the fastest way to connect.
Anywho, fingers crossed the ‘Caps get themselves a decent result out of the match tomorrow. I won’t be there (as y’all know, midweek games are just not doable for me), but I’ll be watching from the From 231 chesterfield. 😉
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)