Seattle vs Vancouver Whitecaps Post Match Reaction: Important point in a Cascadia clash

Initial Reaction

This is a very interesting match, no team was really specifically dominating but momentum was probably shifted slightly towards the Sounders. Not many real and like golden opportunities but certainly some chances for both teams. I am super pleased with how we got a point. Didn't think that the performance was ideal, it felt like we were only second best in terms of most categories. I never thought that this Cascadia clash out of every match would be a scoreless 0-0 draw. With how this rivalry goes back into, considered being one of the oldest derbies inside of Major League Soccer going back to the NASL days both established in 1974. I was a bit shocked with how the Caps didn't have that sense of urgency to go and break through that defence. I have to give credit to Seattle for defending Vancouver pretty well, as the Whitecaps are usually specialists and a great team in splitting the defence open but here in this occasion it was more complicated and it showed here. This will be the first match that has never found its opener for the Whitecaps since April 29th against Colorado. It is surprising to me that it seemed that this event where one of the most important matchups of the season, a chance to like get closer to that Top 4 for Vancouver and it stays deadlocked nil-nil. I would've preferred the Whitecaps to attack with more pace and just overall faster to generate more opportunities, as I thought at times in this Saturday night the Whitecaps were too patient allowing Seattle to track back and getting into the optimal positions to defend the potential crosses or whatever way the Whitecaps can create. So just some initial reactions to this Cascadia Derby a more unentertaining one than usual, but Vancouver still successfully grabs a pivotal point in the environment in Lumen Field.

Atmosphere

The atmosphere was electric in this one, as the Whitecaps end of all the supporter groups while there were some Whitecaps jerseys around the field of Lumen Field. The Emerald City Supporters and the fans and supporters of the Seattle franchise were also loud when they sang and chanted. It was for sure intriguing to see the battle between the two fanbases. As Vancouver is around a 250 kilometers trip from the travelling fans who travelled from Vancouver to Seattle crossing the USA border. Beginning of the match the song "Boundary Road" was heard clearly on the televisions. But then Seattle probably outnumbered the Whitecaps supporters a lot so that's the advantage as when they were chanting with heart they were very thunderous. So the passionate fans of Vancouver travelling while the Seattle supporters trying to back their home side.

Clinched

The Vancouver Whitecaps have officially clinched an automatic playoff spot. When Vancouver clinched a playoff spot, there was possibility where they will finish in the wildcard positions which will not be ideal at all. But now that's out of possibility they can qualify from the 3rd seed all the way to the 7th seed. I believe the Apple TV broadcast said that Vancouver would clinch a top 6 spot, but I believe that's incorrect since both Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas can both catch up to Vancouver so then the Whitecaps can possibly fall down 2 positions, currently in 5th so they I believe that it is still a slim possibility on how the Whitecaps can fall to 7th. But I am not entirely sure but based on my calculations there is a chance. Other than that, I believe now is the time the Whitecaps can have a huge celebration as this is the spot where you would be pleased with especially of you look back to your goals in the start of the season. So last game against St Louis we clinched the playoffs, and now we clinched the automatic playoff zone which is in my opinion a space where it is way more safe and ideal. Now the Decision Day match will still be important, but not as crucial as before as they don't have to worry about them falling out of the automatic playoff zone now.

End of stretch

An international break will be occurring inside of Major League Soccer. Adekugbe, Laryea, Hoilett and Brown was called up, Cubas was originally called up by Paraguay but because of his injury suffered in the match against St Louis. It is a great time for injured or still banged up players to get recovery in these 2 week breaks, with Cubas hoping to recover in time for the Decision Day match and Martins he was available this match for the first time since July 21st but wasn't selected to play in the Starting 11 and was not called for to be substituted on. It's just a opportunity to get your fitness and sharpness correct and preparation is important match in Decision Day and in the postseason. But most importantly, because of an international break the stretch of a pretty tiring stretch for most players. A run of games where your fatigue was trained as you played 7 matches in 22 days. It takes quite some fitness and wellness to play that amount of games in that amount of time. So in a stretch fiddling with the end of the road trip and the start of the most crucial part of the season. Now this stretch is over, only upwards is the way to go with the playoffs clinched and a guaranteed at least two more matches in the playoffs with Vancouver having one more match in the regular season in Decision Day against LAFC.

Game Recap

Vancouver came into this match clinching the playoffs on a previous match with a dominant 3-0 victory, Seattle also with a late winner.

First opportunity of the match, Laryea rapidly dribbling down the right and cutting it back to Hoilett who places it wide of the mark by quite a lot with time and space.

After that, not much occured and the halftime whistle blew.

Halftime begins, with Seattle getting a half chance they are trying to dribble towards the wide of the 6 and Lodeiro tries to zoom a pass in that position cutting it back to Leo Chu but Laborda doing just enough to catch Chu off guard in front of the goal.

Just a minute later, Seattle on the attack Chu on the left flank cuts it back to just outside the area of Lodeiro with a shot but Takaoka deals with the danger.

Chu dribbling down the left takes a shot in the area, afforded space but goes wide.

Now finally another opportunity for Vancouver, a cross swung in by Adekugbe which Gauld controlled sublimely but he ultimately shoots and hits the left post.

Morris splits a pass to Rusnak who is down the wide area inside the box territory being unmarked takes a shot which forced an impressive stop by Takaoka and still battered out for Seattle with a shot that's blocked by Laryea.

Past the 5 minutes of stoppage time, possibly the final attack as Rusnak with an attempt towards goal being blocked plays it wide to Baker-Whiting with a cross in to Roldan who heads it to the bottom left corner but Yohei Takaoka with a diving stop.

The game ends in a scoreless 0-0 draw at Lumen Field.

Man Of The Match

I believe there is no other strong nominee for Man Of The Match other than Yohei Takaoka. With his second clean sheet in a row. Takaoka has been trying to find his groove again ever since he has been slightly shaky at times. But now it seems like he is resurgencing into the best possible version of himself. The Japanese goalkeeper has gotten consecutive clean sheets since the games against Seattle and Pacific in late May. An overall great match by Takaoka, as I believe that he saved 2 major points with some crucial denials. Me and most Caps fans would probably be delighted with his performance. With his reaction time and reflexes bring on point and some bravery I felt from Takaoka, as there was never a good balance in my opinion. As some of the time he was too passive when coming out and being slightly to reliant on his defenders, while sometimes he is too courageous when the defence is covered. No matter if Takaoka seems to be appalling or fabulous in a matchup, he keeps his feet on the ground he is usually just a pretty good with improvement and taking advice from his coaches with him seeming to be being back to his old self in goal playing a tremendous match in 2 consecutive matches.