Colorado vs Vancouver Whitecaps: Post Match Reaction-Whitecaps conclude 7 game road trip with a draw

Road Trip

That finally concludes the road journey the Whitecaps have been one for over a month now, and this match finally ends this compelling and intriguing road trip as the Caps probably is in a better position then they were when they started as some supporters were first of all, extremely annoyed with the 7 games in a row away from Vancouver, then they were also a bit worried of where the Caps would be after this road trip as from the form they used to have away from home which was 1 win in 9 games of MLS action before this now Vancouver has 4 road wins. The Whitecaps should really be thankful and delighted to be back in BC Place on Saturday, as the Whitecaps do play on another level at home even though this road trip was in my opinion decent, as getting a point to cap it off does make it better. Road journey is finally over and me personally am not exhilarated by this road trip but I'm pleased as if you told me we got 11/21 possible points I'll for sure accept and take that. But the past is the past, and the Whitecaps right now in such a tight playoff race.

Thoughts

There are some concerning thoughts and some positive thoughts for me in this match, I believe when the Whitecaps were in no man's land, they responded pretty well as when they equalised it was feeling like the momentum was towards Colorado but then they generate a corner and that's what set pieces and generating them can do for you, as that's something that gets you back up and going sometimes even if it's just something as common as a corner it still at times makes a huge difference than we think they serve, so great job creating a opportunity by simply winning a corner, and with the poachers and the players who have great physical as not only did we equalize out of nowhere, we also scored the first goal off a corner where luck plays in Vancouver in that one, I'll dive deeper into that one later.

While a thing that really concerns me especially near the end of the season, is keeping leads as the Whitecaps have lost I believe 5 times when they score the first goal which is concerning as the reasonable amount should be once or twice, but 5 times seems slightly extreme. As this was a habit from earlier on this season in the first 2 matches and now it's kind of making a resurgence here late on, as the same as the opening 2 matches to the campaign and despite it just lurking in the shadows it has made an reappearance. Both of the last two games the Whitecaps were up 1-0 and their respective opponents has both went ahead in the match, Real Salt Lake getting the victory in a controversial and bizzare one and here Colorado almost getting the win as the second half was mostly domination by the Colorado Rapids until White scored then it felt like it was pretty back and forth afterwards until the final whistle. The Caps struggling to both build off of leads and also not giveaway goals after scoring the first one is worrying.

Gauld getting subbed off was definitely questionable at first, but he suffered a left foot contusion and apparently he already felt something on his left foot in the first half, attempted to shake it off but was unsuccessful and was eventually subbed off in the 52nd minute. This was the full statement by Vanni after being asked about Gauld being substituted off "He couldn't run. Felt something in his foot in the first half and tried to see if he could shake it off. He couldn't and was in pain. With quick turnaround he's very much touch and go on Saturday." A few thoughts on that answer by Vanni Sartini. First one is, the with the words that he was describing the contusion with it sounds like he's in some sort of pain and with quick turnaround was the two key words in that response, I will make the assumption that Gauld is in a slightly difficult spot currently and he is gradually working towards a full recovery. Although Ryan Gauld with tons of experience from Europe in the past, there is potential that he can work his way towards the game on Saturday with his recovery speed. It still depends on what treatment he would be on for training as we wouldn't want to play a 40% fit Gauld, the range should be for him to at least play is at least like 60-70% as we don't want to risk him if he's not healthy. I believe that touch and go means uncertain but having Gauld on the pitch where he is just 70% healthy can produce something, so we will see how Gauld is feeling on matchday or else with how the circumstances is, it will probably be a extremely apprehensive game and it'll be even more apprehensive if your best player isn't on the turf. So let's hope that he can recover in time as this schedule has been affecting us quite a bit here, as the fatigue of some players have been slightly tired currently for the Whitecaps.

Standings

It is now obvious that this Western Conference playoff race is going to go until Decision Day, as with how tight this race is there is not much room to escape until the final matchday. But here the Whitecaps move up a spot after the point gained. As this was a perfect opportunity to seize the fourth position, nobody else was playing other then them and Dallas in the Western Conference. And obviously I want to be greedy and get the 3 points, frustrated with how we only got one against Colorado. It was a unexpected outcome to say the least, as I genuinely thought the Caps would win and seize this chance but sometimes we undervalue that point as I have mentioned how tight and close this playoff race is every point is going to make a difference. In conclusion of the standings update, the Whitecaps move up to 6th place now could've gotten 4th with a victory but they still move upwards with a draw. But nonetheless still glad that we moved up going above the Timbers for now. Sky is still the limit for the Whitecaps as they're still only 3 points off second place despite the run of games recently. While the Caps can't look down as the gap is only 4 points from disaster which is just missing the playoffs entirely and not even making the wildcard match between the 8th and 9th seed. So we moves up one spot, Portland moves down one spot and that's basically it. Also another huge factor in my opinion, the game in hand against other teams are now mostly gone as that was the game in hand when it was originally postponed on June 21st. So no more game in hands with the teams above us now we will have to catch then with quality and great performances.

Sartini and his decisions

This was how Vanni lined up at the start of the match.

Vanni Sartini the head coach has made a bold decision in this crucial match in running back the 4-3-2-1 as known as the Christmas Tree formation. This is the first time Vanni has decided to use a 4 at the back since July 1st where they fell 3-0 to Sporting Kansas City. And it was brave and courageous to bring back the formation where it was consumed almost all of the time. The formation switch by Sartini did admittedly made this team look unique if I'm completely honest and it seems like the wide area was protected better but the central positions were slightly concerning as Yohei Takaoka saved us quite a few times in this match, the two goals let up was probably on the central defenders to be straightforward. It was definitely surprising to see this formation being played, as I am a big believer in having one great style and formation to perfect and be pleased on than play other than having 2 decent styles to rely on. As it is not a bad idea to rotate it but if you can't play a style of play with the structure consistently then that is slightly unpleasing and I feel like most championship teams has a consistent starting 11 and structure. Although I believe they may have switched it mid match the Apple TV broadcast certainly believed it so it may have just been a experimental thing by Vanni Sartini, but is this the time to experiment? I'm not so sure. So I have mixed thoughts about the formation swap in this key match. Other than that, Vanni didn't have that many more fascinating decisions as maybe one more thing to think about is that they are playing on Saturday so it may not be the best to play all their best players and maybe rest 1-3 starters so the players won't be completely out of energy. But with how important matches now players will have to persevere this stretch of frequent matches.

Game Recap

Vancouver looking to get 3 points in this compacted playoff race and this is a huge opportunity against bottomed league Colorado.

The first opportunity comes from a Vancouver corner and Gauld takes it takes a deflection off Blackmon heads it off lightly takes multiple touches inside the Whitecaps box and Mathias Laborda was the player to slide it in. It was extremely smooth play by the Whitecaps from Gauld with the kick then Blackmon to White to Laryea then finally it went to Laborda with the sliding effort. All of the touches were extremely small, so a pretty interesting goal to score by Vancouver.

A few moments later, the Whitecaps on another opportunity Adekugbe with the ball in and Brian White with the header but it was stopped by Ilic very unlucky to not score here a very good well put header to hit it on the ground then comes back up but Ilic saves his Colorado to go down 2-0.

A free kick by Ronan and he crosses it to Maxso but he didn't get enough and just misses the near post on the volley.

Right after they go in to the locker room, stoppage time of the first half Gauld plays it wide for Ahmed who cuts it back and it was probably intentionally to Gauld but it gets passed him and goes to Laryea unmarked instead and he unfortunately skies it. A golden opportunity to double the Whitecaps lead and it seems like Laryea fell slightly off balance.

Calvin Harris dribbles towards the flank now cutting in against Tristan Blackmon a driven cross in and Rubio mismanaged it on the first touch but recovers it back and just simply slots in the edge of the 6 yard box. Just minutes into the second half the 47th minute to be exact. That goal kind of shows the weakness of the 4 at the back the central doesn't get marked as tight and even with a error on the first touch he still has time to recover.

A beautifully played through ball played by Bombito of the Rapids and it falls for Luis Diaz who shoots it right at Takaoka.

A long throw by the Rapids that somehow falls into Bombito with some deflections and the ball is loose for him to score with space but Takaoka makes a great stop.

Corner taken by Ronan and it is headed in by Bassett to make it 2-1 Colorado. A great header, not the best marking by the Whitecaps and Bassett gives them their consequence.

Another corner, this time for the Vancouver Whitecaps and the corner taken by Sebastian Berhalter and anyone else but Brian White who gets up there and heads it into the top right corner. It really shows how underappreciated corners can be as they are pretty important to get more of and have good takers, as two of the three from this match has came from corners.

After that goal pretty late on in this match, a few chances for both sides as it kind of conflicts and stuff with Takaoka having to make some good saves and a good near post save by Ilic in the near post denying Schopf from the winner.

That will be full time and these two teams tie each other yet again from the last time a scoreless draw in BC Place this time slightly more entertaining as we've been treated into 4 goals.

Man Of The Match

For me there is only two strong candidates for a potential Man Of The Match this game for the Vancouver Whitecaps who were pretty mediocre tonight even though they fought hard to grab a point. But those two strong candidates are Takaoka and Brian White, for me the only thing that's drifting me away from Takaoka is that he conceded two goals which isn't ideal and still hats off to him but I believe Brian White has outdone him slightly in this one, although it's difficult to compare how a goalkeeper can effect the game compared to a striker but to evaporate on that, Takaoka has made some spectacular stops tonight and without him we may have potentially gotten defeated but it i really hard to look past Brian White without saying he played superb always getting into those spots, the goal that he scored was spectacular right into the top corner avoiding the defenders clearance, and something that I admire about his game is that he generated that goal by making space for himself not being afraid to go physical and win those aerial duels. Was to me very unlucky not to score that first one but he redeemed himself on the second attempt his passing play was once again just on point here nothing special but no key mistakes that really messed up the flow of this attack. So Brian White is my Man Of The Match versus the Colorado Rapids on a Wednesday night.