Whitecaps vs San Jose Post Match Reaction- Whitecaps drop 3 huge points to fellow playoff push team

Standings

After the 1-0 defeat to the San Jose Earthquakes Sunday night, the Caps have now fell out of the automatic playoff line, and bumped down into the wildcard match. While the Earthquakes have now leaped up into fifth place, which are two spots above the line of dropping down to the wildcard game. While for Vancouver, you are only 1 point and a game in hand from getting to 6th place, but a win at BC Place would've made you into the San Jose spot right now which is 5th in the western conference. But on the other hand, you are 1 point away from 10th, which is the scary line of falling back to not even make the wildcard match. They will have to find their groove on the road, as you're playing your next 7 games away from Vancouver. As in this western conference battle for the 3 automatic spots, and the 2 wildcard spots between six teams. Which between 5th and 10th there is a 5 point difference, so this will be a absolute brawl to finish the season.

The story of the 2023 Whitecaps/ analysis/ stats

It wasn't a surprise when the Whitecaps outshot their opponents 19-3, 8-1 on shots on target and somehow still lose the game. They also had possession 59% compared to the 41% for San Jose. This has been a constant trend for Vancouver Whitecaps, especially in BC Place. There was a lot of chances for the Caps but none being converted, with the San Jose goalkeeper Daniel being impressive. Saving all 8 shots on goal is impressive for everyone, including Daniel. He didn't save easy shots being saved by the Caps, some of the shots he stopped was complicated, some he had to dive and some he had to make smart decisions on. It has been common that the Whitecaps dominate the first half but fail to score, conceding right before the half is also part of the Caps habits. As I believe I heard that in the first half the expected goals was 1.75-0.10 for the Caps. But of course the score ended 0-1 at the end of the half, and that's how it ultimately ended. It feels like a lot of the times, the goalkeepers against the Whitecaps has been amazing. Which I believe it's one thing the Whitecaps are getting the shots on goal which they did, but sometimes the goalkeeper makes some unreal stops. You can't change that, but maybe it's time for the Whitecaps to try to shoot top corner, if the keeper is playing like this. And Daniel did make the Team Of The Matchday for San Jose. Sometimes it might take too long for the luck to develop, as maybe you will have to win sometimes with luck not being on your side. And I think it's something that the Whitecaps might have to do to make the playoffs.

Vanni's decisions

I won't say Vanni overthinked this game, as the only decision that was controversial was not starting star Ryan Gauld which had to come off on the game against Tigres. Ryan Gauld I believe had a hamstring injury, and Vanni didn't want to rush the Gauldfather from injury. It seems that Vanni wanted to make sure Gauld is 100%, as he is the most important player in our team and we need him for matches. So making sure Gauld is fit is important, while maintaining sharpness by playing 30 minutes seems about right for Vanni. If Gauld was still feeling a bit of tightness from injury.

Game Recap

The Whitecaps and the Earthquakes kicked off on a Sunday night at BC Place, with the Vancouver Whitecaps wearing their One Planet jerseys.

It was in the 12th minute, that Cordova holds it, passes it to the new signing Laryea on the wing, Laryea cuts in and shoots with his left foot which was fumbled by Daniel but Schopf shoots it right at the San Jose goalie.

Next Sergio Cordova with some nice dribbling and shoots on his left, but it was obviously denied by Daniel.

Then, Pedro Vite on the edge of the box, he crosses it pinpoint to Brian White but he was stopped.

With the Whitecaps still seemingly controlling the game, San Jose got their break. On a counter attack, a ground ball from Ebobisse, Tristan Blackmon failed to get a foot in, and Espinoza puts it home behind Yohei Takaoka.

In the halftime break, the Caps subbed on Adekugbe and subbed off Laryea.

It is Adekugbe from the left flank, he tries a cross which was blocked. But it falls for White, he plays a ground ball in and it was tucked in my Raposo but it was offside.

Adekugbe is down the wing, he plays a cross that somehow falls to Cordova, Cordova shoots from outside the box with his left foot, which deflected Alessandro Schopf and changed directions. But Daniel makes a great recovery to deny the equalizer.

It was a free kick from outside the box for the Whitecaps, around 22 yards, a bit to the left. Adekugbe strikes it, it was good as it curls past the wall ut it hits the post.

The last opportunity for the Whitecaps it felt like, it was the 95th minute a cross from Ahmed, it falls for a tough header from Adekugbe but it was skied over the crossbar.

And the final whistle blows, the Whitecaps drop all 3 points to their fellow western conference playoff battlers. A huge blow for Vancouver, as they play the next 7 on the road.