Vancouver 2, Minnesota 0 in game one of the two game total goals series
which resumes Sunday night in Minnesota.
For about 80 minutes, this was a fast-paced clean, well-played playoff
game. Here's what went on last night ( I tried to give Matthew updates
and he really got a feel for what I was saying): At the start of both
halves, the Thunder were on their heels. We had two excellent scoring
chances within a minute and were really taking advantage of Minnesota
packing in the midfield and defence. It ended up costing them the first
goal but it could have been worse. The goal was a classic: long high
cross to a waiting Corrazin who did a splendid overhead bicycle kick
from about the penalty spot. Warren dove to his right, but the ball was
well hit and it went in with pace under his arm. For about the next 20
minutes or so, the Whitecaps came at the Thunder in waves, but the
single goal would be the extent of the damage. We used the width of the
pitch to our advantage, and Xausa (who was in a midfield spot last
night) had quite a few chances isolating Roberts on the left side.
Branan was constantly having to do double duty protecting Roberts from
the overlap but in the process was leaving the middle a little sparse.
Corrazin was wide open when he hit the goal and part of that was because
the Thunder were having trouble coping with us going wide and switching
quickly inside. After a while, though the game settled into a good
rhythm and Minnesota were not without some good spells of posession.
I had originally thought that maybe the loss of Menyongar and Tarley
would not be so noticeable in as much as I expected the Thunder to
defend with a passion. Maybe the loss of two defenders or a midfield
player would be more taxing on them. And maybe that's true, but what WAS
noticeable was this: there was absolutely no middle presence up front at
all. Players like Juarez would take a good run to a wide position but
there was no support. Maybe the forwards were missed more than I thought
they would be. Castellano did a good job trying to get things done up
front in the second half, but he was really left to hang by himself as
the midfield were giving poor service at best. Halftime 1-0, but it
flattered the visitors. They tried to put good pressure on our
midfielders and even had pressure up front for a while, but the
Whitecaps were sharp on the ball and there were too many options.
Another cracker of a goal to start the second half, this time Xausa took
advantage of a good cross from the left and hit a first time full volley
from the top of the box. Warren went to full stretch in a valiant
attempt, but again there was too much pace and the well-placed ball flew
by him with barely 2 minutes gone. More of the same, then, but this time
the Thunder had a bit more grit and determination about their play. They
still were left wanting in the final third, and the chances they did get
were poorly taken. Perhaps a little too anxious over the ball when an
opening presented itself, the Thunder never really took the openings
that were given. There's the biggest difference last night: in the final
third, the Whitecaps always looked dangerous, incisive, and determined.
The visitors were playing solo and never really looked like they were
going to make the important plays. But by about the halfway point of the
second stanza, the play had switched noticeably to the Thunder, and it
was the Whitecaps that were being forced to defend. It happened when
Geordie Lyall was sent off. Here's what happened:
Mike Franks went up to snare a long high cross from the right side. He
was challenged heavily and went down dropping the ball in the process.
The call was made, but the loose ball was played by a Thunder player
after the whistle and he let a shot go that hit Nick Dasovic straight on
and bowled him over. Both Franks and Dasovic were crunched up on the
grass as players from both sides "discussed" why the Thunder player took
the shot after the whistle. Lyall had the ball in his hand and he kind
of lobbed it in the direction of the crowd of players. The ball hit a
Thunder player on the head and Lyall was sent off. After play resumed,
the Thunder took advantage of the extra player as the Whitecaps sat back
not wanting to give up the two goal advantage. Which was what the game
was about from then on. With eleven, we were maybe good for the third
goal, but with ten men, two goals it was going to stay at and the
Whitecaps defended well. The 2-0 score was a good one for us, but I fear
that the Thunder are going to have to rework things up front for Sundays
game. They will have to change their approach towards their front
runners and start having the midfield become more involved. When the
forwards are making runs from forty yards out trying to get through,
well that's not a good thing. That distance is for the midfielders. But
in the Thunder favour is the smaller field over there. We had a huge
advantage out wide last night on a large pitch, and the smaller confines
in Minnesota will favour the Thunder who will, I am sure, be able to
mark our players alot tighter and use their own very good ball skills to
make cuts and angles at our defence.
The business at the end of the game last night was definately the result
of the referee failing to take a firm hold on the game. He was very
inconsistent with the cards, both teams had issues there. But I remember
saying to Matthew as I was phoning in updates to him that I thought the
referee had lost it (control). It wasn't a particularly nasty game at
all, far from it for the most part. But not having a good grip on the
game really sent the wrong message to the players at a time when it was
needed the most. All that happened was a foul by the Thunder player on
Harmse, a retaliation by Harmse, and alot of frustration from both teams
who thought that the foul and retaliation should both have been carded.
Neither was. In a more experienced referee's hands, the situation would
barely have been worth a mention.
But the 2-0 scoreline should make for a very interesting and enthralling
encounter on Sunday night.
