Vancouver Whitecaps v New York City – The Story In Pictures
Saturday blowed.
It was also a night of blown chances, blown calls and blown opportunities.
Vancouver Whitecaps went down to a 2-1 loss to big spending newbies New York City FC. The post match talk was all about Ricardo Salazar’s two horrendous penalty decisions but now that the dust has settled, ‘Caps fans need to look at the continued wasted chances by the team and the inability, once again, to get any breathing space at the top of either the Western Conference or Supporters’ Shield standings.
Those around them are doing Vancouver massive favours right now. That won’t last forever and certainly won’t be the case when the last month of the MLS regular season kicks in.
The ‘Caps need to refind their scoring touch pretty damn quickly if they want a home playoff game, never mind a top two finish or a title.
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].
Blue before the game, most certainly bluer after it. Awesome job though!
NYC started all three of their DPs, while injury concerns kept two key Vancouver DPs on the bench
The group that was to become the centre of attention and the focus of postgame anger
The Whitecaps starting XI
Kekuta Manneh forces Josh Saunders into a near post save in the early going
But NYC strike first in the 29th minute when Angelino cuts the ball back to Frank Lampard
And the untracked and unmarked Englishman buries it with ease past David Ousted
The ‘Caps up the tempo in the second half and Kendall Waston comes close with a header
Then Darren Mattocks just fails to get on the end of a cross
Jordan Harvey has Vancouver’s best chance but sends it flying high and over
Then with the minutes ticking away Jordan Smith unleashes a thunderbolt which Saunders can’t hold on to
As Waston goes for the rebound, he hits the deck after a tussle with Angelino. Didn’t look like a penalty at the time or later!
Captain Cap Pedro Morales steps up to take the spot kick
And the joy explodes as Pedro hits home the 88th minute equaliser
The ‘Caps sense blood and go for the winner and a Morales header is saved on the goal-line by Saunders
But then in the 94th minute, referee Ricardo Salazar strikes again after Mati Laba’s perfect tackle is ruled a foul and another penalty
And the Whitecaps simply cannot believe the idiocy of the decision
NYC’s already scant postseason hopes rest at the feet of David Villa
The Spaniard sends Ousted the wrong way to clinch the 2-1 victory in the 95th minute
Pa Modou Kah has to restrain a raging Waston at the final whistle
Morales also has to be held back from Salazar
Robbo extends his hand to the referee
Before making his own point about how dreadful he was (we presume!)
You can see a Flickr slideshow of all of Tom’s photos from the game below:
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