Vancouver Whitecaps v Portland Timbers – The Story In Pictures

Vancouver Whitecaps are going for a record-breaking sixth Cascadia Cup this season. They’re well on their way with six points from a possible six now, boosted by a 2-1 win over Portland Timbers at BC Place on Saturday afternoon with the two goals coming in a six minute spell from the 60th to the 66th minutes.

It’s written in the stars.

Nat Borchers slid in at the back post to give Portland a half-time lead, despite Vancouver peppering the Timbers defence with 11 saves. It was looking like the same old story for the ‘Caps – lots of huff, but not enough puff.

Jake Gleeson in the Portland goal was having another great game, following his MLS Player of the Week performance against Toronto last weekend, but it was all about to change.

Vancouver came out all guns blazing in the second half and they got back on level terms on the hour mark when the ball came to Masato Kudo and the Japanese striker beat Gleeson at his near post for his first ever MLS goal.

The ‘Caps sensed blood and they took the lead, with what was to prove to be the eventual winner, following a howler from the Kiwi ‘keeper.

Christian Bolanos floated a ball into the box towards Blas Perez, but the Panamanian was a hair away from getting his head on it. It was enough to put off Gleeson and the ball squirmed through his open legs and into the back of the net.

Ya beauty!

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].

Good guys

Wank

Robbo’s ready for some Cascadia Cup action

And so are Curva Collective

Fraser Aird explaining to Darren Mattocks that being in a Portland jersey is not good

Centre back frenzy!

Darren Mattocks finally manages to kick something at BC Place

Kendall Waston with an early yellow card. If you’re going to get one, may as well make it for kicking the best Timbers player

After soaking up Vancouver pressure Portland take the lead when the ball come to Nat Borchers at the back post

The beary weirdy slides in

And puts the Timbers into a 1-0 lead

The Piggery erupts

Jake Gleeson’s heroics kept the ‘Caps blanked at half time

And he keeps it up to start the second half too

But only until the hour mark when Masato Kudo fires past the Kiwi ‘keeper at his near post to tie things up

For the Japanese striker’s first MLS goal

And he celebrates it sumo style with Pa Modou Kah

Darren Mattocks blasts over swapping his hands on his head angst for jersey tugging now

In the 66th minute Christian Bolanos float a ball into the box towards Blas Perez

Perez is inches away from making contact but it’s enough to put off Gleeson

And the ball squirms through the Kiwi’s legs like a nervous sheep and into the back of the net for 2-1 ‘Caps

Ode to joy

Shoes off for the ‘Caps? Not sure what’s going on here!

Meanwhile in the Curva, it’s definitely shirts off for the ‘Caps

For young and old!

David Ousted takes another sore one at BC Place

He’s dazed, but ok. Phew!

The final whistle, a 2-1 Whitecaps win and joy for Kendall Waston and the Vancouver players

And the fans too!

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