Rock Bottom – Vancouver Whitecaps Hit New Low with Home Loss to Cavalry FC

After a 0-0 draw away to Cavalry FC two Wednesdays ago, the Vancouver Whitecaps were back at BC Place Wednesday evening to play the second, and final, leg of their Canadian Championship quarterfinals match. If there ever was a ‘must-win’ match for the Whitecaps, this was it.

Unlikely to make the Major League Soccer playoffs this season, and myriad in their worst slump in club history, the Vancouver Whitecaps were on the verge of hitting a new low, losing to a ‘lower division’ Canadian Premier League club; albeit the best club in CPL. With little else to play for this season it was imperative that Vancouver did not bow out early.

With everything to lose, Marc Dos Santos put out an…interesting lineup. On the surface, it did not appear to be his best XI, but at the same time, it isn’t like there was much else to choose between. Potentially one surprising omission was Russell Teibert, the player with the most Canadian Championship appearances. However, Teibert’s play this season didn’t really scream out that he would make a difference in this match.

The Vancouver Whitecaps sought to come out strong but found themselves in a DEEP hole seven minutes into the match when poor midfield passing and awkward defending from the typically sound Erik Godoy gifted Cavalry the goal they needed.

While Vancouver were able to control the possession through the first half, something that has been in short supply this season, they never really threatened and didn’t show the drive needed to score two goals and advance in the championship.

A further sign of bad things to come, Lass Bangoura was forced out of the match in the 27^thminute and the Caps needed to make an early substitution, with Venuto coming into the match.

The first evidence that Vancouver realized they needed to actually score goals came at halftime when Joaquin Ardaiz came in for the invisible Andy Rose. While Ardaiz had some moments, he also had...yeah...

The Whitecaps finally cracked through in the 67^thminute when Bair’s lost ball fell to Hwang In-Boem, who’s shot was deflected by a Cavalry player past Carducci. Suddenly a glimmer of hope was restored.

However, Calgary quickly snuffed out that flicker five minutes later, in the 72^ndminute, when they scored their second of the match, putting the game almost out of reach for Vancouver.

The final 20 minutes ticked by slowly as the enviable began to sink in -Vancouver Whitecaps were going to lose to Cavalry FC.

There isn’t much to say about this one, so I will just open the floor to all of you. I suspect a substantial tirade in the comments section.