Game Recap: Whitecaps 0 – Toronto FC 2

The Vancouver Whitecaps suffered a familiar fate to Toronto FC as last weeks game in San Jose after suffering a red card to Brek Shea, this time in the 70’ that led to two goals against in another 2-0 loss. The game opened with the surprise appearance of Spencer Richey in goal for the suspended Ousted, ouch if your name is Paulo Tornaghi. The backline of Williams, Waston, Parker and Harvey was the same we saw in Mexico with Laba and Teibert in front as the DM’s. Shea, Mezquida, and Davies played in front with Montero, in his second straight start for the ‘Caps, as striker.

The opening half was a dour affair, with little going forward for either team. The ‘Caps continued to struggle stringing together passes and often reverted to the long ball game, which inevitably would land at the feet of the opposition. If the ‘Caps insist on sending up long balls, they must find players that can bring them down! In fact, without Morales on the team the passes were nowhere near effective enough to even find a teammate. How about this? Find another route forward. The long ball approach wasn’t that effective with the talents of Pedro, anyway. TFC did get forward in the Vancouver box time after time, but Richey was not severely tested in the first half.

Bolaños replaced Davies at half time. Around the 50’ minute mark the ‘Caps were able to apply some pressure on the TFC defense as Bolaños occupied a central position and was able to move the ball around. Their first shot off Teibert’s foot didn’t occur until the 59’ and was a looping shot over the bar. Toronto’s goaltender, Alex Bono, was tested a few times in the second half but never seemed in danger of needing to make a big save. On the other hand, Richey made a spectacular one handed save off a Justin Morrow strike that was curling for the top corner. The game seemed destined to end in a scoreless draw.

Then, Brek Shea received a yellow card for a foul that was immediately followed by another card for dissention dropping the team to ten men. The game turned for the ‘Caps and six minutes later TFC substitute, Victor Vazquez, scored the games first goal followed by an 80’ goal by Jose Altidore. There were some late chances by a Hurtado semi-break up the left side that was shot wide and a late Teibert shot over the net, but the ‘Caps never really looked like they would score in this game.

The ‘Caps have some time off now until their next game against the Galaxy on April 1^st. Let’s hope they can find some answers for their offense by then.