Whitecaps/Revolution game summary
The Whitecaps’ heavy recent schedule finally caught up with them, in a most punishing way, with a crushing 4-1 defeat to New England. Though the ‘Caps got off to a great start with Eric Hassli’s second league goal this year, the team soon fell apart with the absence of Jay DeMerit in the heart of defence.
New England was up 3-1 by halftime.
New England went on to score 4 straight goals by the close of the match, including an absolute thunderbolt from long range by ex-Whitecap Lee Nguyen who tallied two strikes in total, as well as an assist.
Coaching
Martin Rennie appeared to be trying to give some rest this weekend to his vets like DeMerit and Camilo, who also did not make the trip out east, before Vancouver’s second round (and first leg) Amway match with Toronto FC coming up on Wednesday.
However, the makeshift team was unable to sustain its early match form past Hassli’s score.
Goalkeeping
Joe Cannon did not have the greatest match, but he was often hung out to dry by the patchwork line playing right in front of him. His save percentage was under 50% with only 3 stops out of 7 shots on target.
Defence
Both Jay DeMerit and Martin Bonjour were absent from the heart of the back line, as Alain Rochat and Carlyle Mitchell took their spots.
However, their unfamiliarity with one another created all kinds of uncertainty and the New England forwards took full advantage.
Joe Cannon. Not the greatest night. (Photo Credit - MLSSoccer.com)
Midfield
On this day the midfield trio of Davide Chiumiento, Jun Marques Davidson and Gershon Koffie were preoccupied with helping out the defenders.
They found themselves tracking back for the majority of the match, though Chiumiento did receive credit for an assist on the Hassli goal.
Forwards
The goal in the 5th minute was just reward for a well worked move, thanks to Sebastien Le Toux’s incisive pass to his French strike partner.
However, once Nguyen replied almost immediately in the next minute the forwards found themselves starved of possession leading to a long and lonely day up front.
Man of the Match
Hassli was the pick of the Whitecaps on a poor day.
Play of the Match
Nguyen’s powerful volley was unsurpassed for quality in this difficult match for Van City.
Quote of the Week
“It’s all positive for us except for tonight, which was a humbling experience and one that we have to take our medicine, learn from and improve from.” – Coach Martin Rennie
Video Courtesy Vancouver Whitecaps FC on Youtube
