Vancouver Whitecaps v New England Revolution – The Story In Pictures
Another home game and another missed opportunity and dropped points for Vancouver Whitecaps. That appears to be the modus operandi for the team this season and the visit of an up and down New England Revolution side couldn’t snap them out of it.
Trailing to an Aly Ghazal own goal, and a shocking miss by Kei Kamara in the opening minute, the ‘Caps headed in at half time trailing and needing to do another one of their comeback kids routines. When Cristian Penilla made it 2-0 just after the restart, the writing looked very much on the wall for Vancouver.
But a quick double by Cristian Techera got them back on level terms before Teal Bunbury restored New England’s lead just before the hour mark. Kamara missed another sitter, Techera completed his hat trick, and Felipe crashed a later header off the post in the final half hour for a 3-3 final.
Entertaining fare for the neutrals, but another very disappointing two points dropped at home if you are of a blue and white persuasion.
For now, regular AFTN photographers Tom Ewasiuk (@ResidualImage)) and Caroline (@FrogPhoto) were there to capture the action before, during and after the game. Here’s their “Story In Pictures”, with a full Flickr slideshow at the end.
[Also check out Tom’s website www.residualimagephotography.com and Caroline’s Instagram for more of their photos and work].
The last match for the ‘Caps captain before he heads off to the World Cup
Coaches Carl Robinson and Brad Friedel share some pregame thoughts
Your Whitecaps starting XI
It could have been the perfect start for the ‘Caps but Kei Kamara missed a sitter in front of goal with just over 20 seconds on the clock
Then came the opener in the 26th minute as Cristian Penilla got the better of Sean Franklin and sent a speculative ball into the box
Finding Whitecaps midfielder turned centre back Aly Ghazal who sliced the ball high into his own net and past Matt Turner in the Revolution goal
Tempers started to rise in the frustrated Whitecaps ranks but they headed in to half time one down
And tempers weren’t helped two minutes into the second half when Penilla once again got the better of Franklin
Easily powering past the right back and into the box, firing low past Brian Rowe
To give New England a 2-0 lead
Sparking much joy on the Revolution sideline
But the Whitecaps fought back immediately, and Marcel tore up the left wing, sending a dangerous diagonal ball into the box
Straight to Cristian Techera, who first timed it past Turner to pull one back immediately for Vancouver
But it was not a goal without cost as De Jong picks up an injury and goes off soon after
Undeterred, the Whitecaps keep pushing forward and Techera makes it two in two minutes for himself, and three in three for the match, to head home at the second attempt after Turner saves his initial shot
2-2 and no one had seen that coming
A Kendall Waston flashing header nearly gives the ‘Caps the unlikeliest of leads
But New England nip Vancouver’s renaissance in the bud just before the hour mark as Teal Bunbury ghosts in to restore the Revolution’s lead
I’m not even sure they were believing just what was happening
Kamara missed another sitter before the ‘Caps tied it up at 3-3 with 16 minutes remaining and it was yer man Techera once again
Deserved by the Whitecaps and the players were enjoying it
A rare Whitecaps hat trick – the third of the MLS era after Camilo and Kekuta Manneh
And Vancouver nearly grabbed the winner in the closing minutes
But Felipe could only look on as his late header crashed off the right post
No more goals and both sets of players felt pissed at not coming away with all three points
The players and fans send Kendall off to the World Cup. Do yourself and all of us proud. Good luck!
You can see all of Tom and Caroline’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below:
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