(EL PASO, TX) – At this point of the season, math skills become very important. No more so than for the El Paso Patriots. On the precipice looking over the edge into the abyss of a playoff-less September, the Patriots needed to tally every point possible, especially with three home games remaining.
Unfortunately, in the clutch, El Paso can’t quite get the grasp of numbers taller than one.
After a 1-1 draw against Minnesota last week, notching the Patriots just one point, El Paso (8-10-4, 40 points) lost even more ground with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps (13-5-1, 60 points) Friday night in front of 1,930 at the Socorro Athletic Complex, and received no points, which isn’t complex at all.
Credit the Western Conference leaders in Vancouver, though. Even with all the points they needed and fewer players on the field, they can still count to five.
Eight is another number the Whitecaps like – Steve Kindel’s number. The speedy midfielder had a hand in all three Vancouver goals, scoring two and assisting on another.
Kindel opened the scoring in the 15th minute for the ‘Caps on an assist by Kevin Holness, then helped defender Jeff Skinner tally the second some 12 minutes later. And, yes, it all seemed to come that easily for the west’s best. El Paso’s defense played matador to Vancouver’s charging bull almost all evening long, and the Whitecaps were definitely the more technically sound team.
Vancouver went into the locker rooms leading 2-0 at the half, with nobody thinking they would need to stretch it. However, if there was one Whitecaps shortcoming, it was that they seemed determined to borrow a few pieces of advice from Marty McSorley, with El Paso playing the part of Donald Brashear.
El Paso’s slow-down Latin style of play may frustrate some, but the contrast between the two teams’ ways of playing was no less profound than night and day. Watching the ‘Caps forechecking, including a nifty closing-minutes glove save in the box – not by the goaltender – perhaps the Canucks could take some lessons from Vancouver’s soccer team, not to mention Whitecaps coach Dale Mitchell.
Not content with his team’s commanding halftime lead, Mitchell’s expletive-laced tirade against the Patriots as both teams walked off the field was clearly heard by officials and fans alike. Mitchell seemed to take exception to the slow-down tactics, but should probably be issued a thesaurus his next time out in public, specifically to find an alternate word for “weak” that won’t offend women.
The trouble actually began in the 37th minute, when forward Jason Jordan was issued a red card. Jordan was followed in the 59th minute by teammate Dave Morris, who replaced Darren Tilley six minutes earlier and had just assisted Kindel on the third ‘Caps goal one minute earlier. It might qualify as perhaps the most blazing six minutes of action in A-League history.
However, suddenly, the Patriots had a two-man advantage, which they utilized just three minutes later as Mexican League veteran Juan Hernandez, playing in his first game, took a Michael Griego pass and shoveled one past Caps’ keeper Didar Sandhu for El Paso’s first goal in the 62nd minute.
But, of course, the Patriots are nothing if not accommodating. After youngster Federico Juarez’s crucial ejection that may have cost El Paso a win against Minnesota last week, this week it was experienced Mexican First Division hand Salvador Mercado.
After a foul whistled on Kindel for a hard tackle on Mercado in the 65th minute, Kindel decided to help Mercado up – by his hair. Then, playing keep-away with the ball, Kindel finally left it at Mercado’s feet. Mercado stooped to retrieve the ball and on his way up clearly slapped Kindel in the eye. Referee Jair Marrufo had no choice but to show Mercado the red, but not before some of Mercado’s own teammates had words for the veteran’s ridiculous behavior.
The Patriots were energized by the two Vancouver ejections – El Paso outshot the Whitecaps in the second half 12-2, and Sandhu was busy turning away a barrage of Patriot missiles throughout the latter stages of the game. Griego put away the Pats’ second goal in the 79th minute on a penalty kick after a rough foul in the box.
But there was no escaping the fact that, once again, El Paso was El Paso’s own worst enemy.
Excessive fouls and costly ejections usually taper off as seasons progress and players get in shape and learn their dos and don’ts. But if that’s a learning curve for most teams, the Patriots’ curve resembles a loop-the-loop on a kids’ “Hot Wheels” track.
Still, El Paso, has a decent chance to make it into the playoffs. Two home wins and one next week at either Milwaukee or Minnesota puts the Patriots in decent shape.
That is, if they can stop counting red cards and start counting points.
