Vancouver Whitecaps v San Jose Earthquakes – The Playoff Winning Story In Pictures
Oh, what a night! Late October, 2017. I’m sure the Four Season will rework their classic to reflect the momentous occasion of Vancouver Whitecaps winning their first ever MLS playoff match.
It was a five star performance from the ‘Caps as Fredy Montero set them on their way with a first half header. A Cristian Techera thunderbolt free kick and the easiest goal Kendall Waston will likely ever score had Vancouver flying high into the semi-finals, before a late brace by super sub Nicolas Mezquida put the icing on the playoff cake.
The time was five past Tarbell, and Vancouver must now hope they’ve kept a few goals back for a meeting with Seattle Sounders.
AFTN photographer Tom Ewasiuk was there to capture all the action before, during and after the game. 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].
Battle ready
Your history making Vancouver Whitecaps starting XI
The fans are ready
And a tip of the hat to the San Jose supporters who made the midweek trip north
And they nearly saw their team get off to a dream start, but Stefan Marinovic was on hand to turn away an Anibal Godoy free kick with a “pretty standard save”
Cristian Techera nearly poked home a rebound for the ‘Caps but the Quakes cleared the danger
It was a nervy start but the game burst into life when Kendall Waston headed to the back post, where Fredy Montero was waiting
And he headed home the opener and his first ever MLS playoff goal. Cue the celebrations!
Marinovic had to come up big again at the start of the second half to keep San Jose at bay
And the Quakes were soon punished when Techera fired some a stunning 30 yard free kick in the 57th minute, beating Andrew Tarbell all ends up
2-0 ‘Caps. Don’t break the Bug in the celebrations though guys
Or pull his ears off!
Even Aly Ghazal wanted to get his name on the scoresheet in this one
And it was game over for San Jose in the 64th minute when Tim Parker played the ball across the face of the goal from the second phase of a corner
For captain Kendall Waston to fire home a third for Vancouver
Sheer ecstasy!
But there was more to come as super sub Nicolas Mezquida took over, first tucking the ball past Tarbell in the 78th minute
And then firing home a spectacular fifth after some great work by Brek Shea to set it up
Well done Nico! Rewarded for his patience and perseverence
All that was left was for Aly Ghazal to do the Humba with Curva Collective
A five star performance. Let’s hope for more of the same on Sunday
You can see all of Tom’s photos from the game HERE and in our full Flickr slideshow below:
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