Report Card: Whitecaps vs. Columbus Crew

Wait, weren’t the ‘Caps supposed to win this game on their way to the MLS Cup final against Toronto? Now it looks like they will be hard pressed to make the playoffs. Sarcasm and hyperbole aside, the ‘Caps did not play the energetic game at home we have been enjoying of late. I’m prepared to say they didn’t even play a good game, and yet somehow, they still come away with a result.

Fredy Montero, A

I said early in the season that if all Fredy does is score a goal, then I’ll give him an A. Well, he scored his 12^th of the season and once again showed us how money a quality striker can be when given an opportunity in front of goal. He also contributed with an excellent ball in extra time across the face of goal to Tchani’s foot for the game tying goal.

Yordy Reyna, A-

Reyna looked like the only player able to move the play forward for so much of the game and was involved in the setup of Montero’s goal. It could have been a glorious game for him had even one of his two attempts that careened off the post gone in. The first post was off a cheeky cut back in the box that left the defender’s jock tangled in his cleats, and the second was off a header late in the game. Coulda woulda and Happy Birthday Yordy!

Tony Tchani, B

Tchani needs some love for his game tying goal in extra time against his old team. All the more necessary since we had to endure Manneh’s goal against his old team. But, the ‘Caps penchant to keep the ball for only 40% of the game is excruciating to watch when they are behind and need another goal. I suppose Tchani was doing that invisible thing he does that makes the team better for him being there, but man, it sure doesn’t help when he gives the ball away as much as he did.

Cristian Techera, B-

He had a couple moments here and there, and he did place a beautifully weighted ball over the defense and onto Montero’s foot for the opening goal. And he also disappeared for large parts of the game.

Brek Shea, Aly Ghazal, Jake Nerwinski, Jordan Harvey C

This was a hard game to watch for long stretches. The team let Columbus control the ball and the tempo of the game far too much. Perhaps we are growing accustomed to that, but it was disappointing to see such limp pressure to get the ball back. The whole team was guilty of this and, I guess, this is the grade you get when you’re not involved in scoring any goals.

Kendall Waston and Tim Parker, C-

They did not play to their standard of late. Parker was caught on the Kamara goal and Kendal’s yellow for unsportsmanlike behaviour will keep him out of the lineup against Colorado. They weren’t terrible, but they weren’t good either.

David Ousted, B

Ousted made a big save against Higuain and gobbled up everything that came his way. He can’t be blamed for the two goals against.

Eric Hurtado, B+

Hurtado didn’t have much time, but his goal on Wednesday seemed to put a jump in his step. He was good at holding up the ball when it came his way, he hustled as he always does and won back a ball when we needed to press for the equalizer. He even showed a little skill with the ball, for a moment, before he lost it, still, he was a positive influence in a game that needed some.

I feel the team game that we witnessed warrants much lower grades across the board, but just like their season, there were moments against the run of play where players did enough to get a result and a higher grade. I am as flummoxed assigning individual grades as I am at understanding how this team manages pick up points and remain up the Western Conference table.