Vancouver Whitecaps v Seattle Sounders – The Cascadia Cup Decider Story In Pictures
Another big game at B.C. Place against a rival and another disappointing result.
This time the Cascadia Cup clash between Vancouver Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders had double important, with not only the destination of this year’s cup at stake, but some massive points in terms of the playoff race.
Both teams headed into the match on unbeaten runs. Vancouver were unbeaten in six, with four wins. Seattle, unbeaten in 11, and on a record-setting eight match winning run. By the end of the 90 minutes, it was 12 and nine for the Sounders.
The Whitecaps were in a hole early, with Raul Ruidiaz hitting a brace by the 42nd minute. Kei Kamara gave them hope in first half stoppage time but it was the only consolation for the ‘Caps on a day that could define their fate this season.
AFTN photographers Tom (@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.
The managers meet and are all smiles
Your Whitecaps starting XI
The ‘Caps had a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring in the 11th minute when Kei Kamara’s header played in Nicolas Mezquida
But the Uruguayan blasted high and wide in a game turning miss
And it was to prove costly when some trademark slack Whitecaps defending let in Raul Ruidiaz to finish off a Kelvin Leerdam cross from close in, in the 21st minute
Sending the travelling puke green hordes into raptures
Alphonso Davies was getting kicked all over the park and Robbo had some reassuring words for him – we’re guessing “you’re our main hope, please score”
One particular tackle on his earned Osvaldo Alonso a yellow card via VAR
And things went from bad to worse in the 42nd minute when Raul Ruidiaz pounced on a horrible Brett Levis pass back
Rounding Stefan Marinovic to easily slot home the second and make it 2-0 Seattle
The mountain was now huge for Vancouver, who didn’t have their own Peruvian to make some magic happen
But Kei Kamara gave the ‘Caps hope four minutes into stoppage time, rising superbly
To head home and make it 2-1
And moments later Cristian Techera nearly tied things up in dramatic fashion but it was guided wide
It wasn’t to be the ‘Caps day, as demonstrated at the start of the second half when Kei Kamara made room for a shot
But it crashed off the right post
Then just couldn’t direct a header downwards on a slightly overhit cross
So much drama! Just not Whitecaps goals
Jordon Mutch nearly tied it up in the closing seconds, but his flick from in close went inches past the left post
And as the final whistle sounded, Stefan Marinovic’s face was how we all felt
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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