Vancouver Whitecaps v DC United – The Horror Show In Pictures

You know you’ve had a mare of a match as a referee when both coaches are highly critical of you, including the guy that came away with all three points.

Sorin Stoica has a checkered history with the ‘Caps. He was the man who sent off Carl Robinson against New York Red Bulls last season, and has had a couple of horrid outings in charge of a couple of other ‘Caps games since. Carl Robinson didn’t mince his words on his performance after the match. He’ll be fined, but he’s past caring.

Lamar Neagle’s 61st minute penalty was the difference between the Whitecaps and D.C. United at BC Place on Saturday. On paper at least. The width of three crossbars, a right post, some fantastic goalkeeping, and missing a slew of chances can all be factored in as well.

But ultimately it was a tale of two penalties. Both of them contentious. Neither of them penalties to me.

José Guillermo Ortiz, fresh from a fine for diving last weekend, flopped unchallenged in the box to “earn” D.C. their spot kick, then Bill Hamid was adjudged by the lino to have gone through Brek Shea on a free kick in stoppage time, giving the ‘Caps their make up call, but Cristian Techera crashed it off the post, ending an afternoon to forget for Vancouver.

At least we now know for sure what the D.C. aspect of United’s name stands for – Diving Cheats. That’s our clean version!

AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game. Here’s his horror show “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].

Pffft, video referees, who needs such a thing…

Sorin Stoica looking mean, moody, and as shit as usual

Two of MLS’ best

Your Whitecaps starting XI

Bill Hamid was called in to action early. A common theme for the afternoon

The ‘Caps come close in the 19th minute when Cristian Techera’s leap like a salmon like header crashes off the bar

Quickly followed by Kendall Waston’s overhead kick rattling off the bar as it looks like the ‘Caps luck won;t be in this afternoon

Incredulity as DC get a penalty on Ortiz’s dive on the hour mark

Which Lamar Neagle buries with aplomb

If looks could kill…

Robbo’s just seen the replay on the big screen and lets referee Stoica know what he thinks of it

The ‘Caps press and first Fredy Montero and then Jordan Harvey force saves out of Bill Hamid

Then with all hope lost, Brek Shea is clattered in the box by Bill Hamid deep in stoppage time as hit header crashes off the bar for a third time

Stoica has no idea what’s going on

The players finally find out what’s happening – it’s a Whitecaps penalty!

After missing last week, Fredy Montero passes on his good wishes to this week’s taker, Cristian Techera

But the usually deadly Bug crashes his spot kick off the right post – the fourth time the ‘Caps have hit the woodwork during the game

And the ‘Caps bench is pissed off beyond belief as the game ends with a disappointing 1-0 loss

You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below: