Vancouver Whitecaps v Portland Timbers – A Home Playoff Story In Pictures
The night didn’t end the way everyone hoped and imagined Vancouver Whitecaps’ first home playoff game would play out.
If the electrifying atmosphere off the pitch had continued on it past the opening 20 minutes, it might have been a different story. But as it turned out, a goal shy ‘Caps fell 2-0 to Cascadian rivals, the Portland Timbers.
A first half goal from Fanendo Adi and a second at the death from Diego Chara did the damage, but the Whitecaps inability to, first of all, take their chances and then to even be creative at all, cost the ‘Caps dear.
So that’s it all over now for another season. 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].
The most Portland Timbers photo ever?!
Vancouver Whitecaps starting XI
Curva Collective’s pregame tifo
Supporters answer the tough “what is the colour” question
Eight minutes in and Kekuta Manneh runs at the Timbers defence
Crashing a shot off the left post – it was the closest the ‘Caps were to come
But disaster for Vancouver after another Manneh run midway through the half
As the Gambian goes over on his ankle and knows right away he’s in trouble
He tries to carry on but is forced to limp of moments later
Heartbreaking
And more Vancouver heartbreak minutes later when Fanendo Adi fires Portland into a 31st minute lead
Facing an uphill battle, things threaten to boil over, but don’t
With a minute of the half remaining, Octavio Rivero rises to get his head on the end of a free kick
Forcing Timbers keeper Adam Kwarasey to tip the ball over from under his crossbar
As the action died in the second half, the ‘Caps feel the Timbers playacting was on the increase
Substitute Robert Earnshaw nearly ties things up with a spectacular overhead kick that lands on top of the net
With the game four minutes into stoppage time, and Vancouver pushing for any sort of late consolation, Diego Chara adds a second for Portland
If seeing you local rivals celebrating a playoff win on your pitch doesn’t motivate the ‘Caps for next year, then I don’t know what will
You can see a Flickr slideshow of all of Tom’s photos from the game below:
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