Vancouver Whitecaps v Colorado Rapids – Another Heartbreaking Story In Pictures
Whenever someone starts the “Ban Stoppage Time” petition, sign us up.
Another game, another goal conceded at the death. It’s not been a great couple of week for Vancouver Whitecaps.
It’s not that we deserved to win the game, we clearly didn’t and likely didn’t even deserve to get a point, but you have to wonder what coming so close, only to see it ripped away once again due to a preventable goal, will do to this team’s already knocked mentality.
Scoring two goals against a team that had only given up 11 goals all season was excellent but after Kendall Waston’s header had given the ‘Caps a 1-0 half time lead, you always felt the high flying Rapids were going to come storming back after the break, and they did.
It was the Kevin Doyle and Shkëlzen Gashi show after half time, and Doyle brought the Rapids level and as they pushed, it looked like Colorado was the only team going to win this one.
Then Eric Miller got sent off, the ‘Caps started playing again and it looked like Cristian Techera’s penalty three minutes from time had brought home the bacon, but there was still time for Thunder Bay Chill alumni Axel Sjoberg to head home a 95th minute equaliser and silence BC Place for the second game running.
AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game and here’s his “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
[Also check out Tom’s website www.residualimagephotography.com for more of his photos and work].
I don’t know why this photo makes me smile so much!
The Southsiders march to the battlefield
Vancouver Whitecaps starting XI
Ten minutes in, Christian Bolanos makes room and whips a cross into the box
Which is met by his Costa Rican teammate Kendall Waston
Who powerfully headed home the opener
It’s been a tough few weeks for Kendall and the relief was clear
At the other end, David Ousted comes up with the first of several big stops on the night
The beginning of the end of Kekuta Manneh’s night
Moments later he was flat on his back in pain
Finally limping off two minutes before half time
Tim bits
This just looks like a painful mangling of legs
As the hour mark approach Kevin Doyle is played in
And the Irishman clinically finishes past David Ousted
Booooooooooooooooo
It nearly gets worse for the ‘Caps minutes later but Kendall Waston brilliantly clears off the line
The turning point, or so we thought, as Eric Miller goes through Pedro Morales in the 71st minute
Bringing out a straight red from referee Allan Chapman
The ‘Caps sense blood and Tim Parker heads narrowly over
Then with three minutes remaining, Cristian Techera is pulled back in the box and goes down – Penalty!
Makers, takers as Cristian Techera takes the spot kick
And buries it high into the net to give the ‘Caps a 2-1 lead in the 87th minute
His first goal of the season brings joy both on and off the pitch
But that’s not the Whitecaps way this season and five minutes into stoppage time a high ball into the box cause problems
Finding Axel Sjoberg at the back post and he heads home the dramatic late equaliser, leaving the ‘Caps floored
But the Rapids in heaven as they extend their unbeaten run to 13 games
Albanians in attendance mob their hero Gashi
Surely the MLS Coach of the Year
You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below:
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