Match notes: Some nice surprises against Portland

Match notes
(for the full report go here)

Minute – Note

0 – great run and shot by DC off post
– already pretty open both ways
5 - disjointed passing forward
– Mobulu good cutback, shot wide from ?
10 - good aggressive play by RM, wins freekick –> corner
– good pressure
– Dunfield close –> corner
– TD foul top of box after shit defending
15 - Portland fast break, shot across goal tipped wide by Nolly
– poor pass from Forko
20 - good defending by GJ, WK
– good passing up front
– yellow to BW
25 - RM decent hold-up play
GOAL!! – corner –> Nash flick-on, TD header back post!!
– couple fouls ignored, Whitecaps retaliate, get called
– RM yellow
30 - BW looking better
– GJ cleaning everything up in the air
– DC yellow, tackle from behind, weak
– couple more fouls
35 - Pore kept quiet so far, playing wide left
– great positional defending by GJ, forced forward out, back, pressure
from DC to RM, shot put out for a corner
– DC running at defenders, freekick
40 - Dike tried to run past Knight, hah!
– Knight, Pore knock heads, ref plays on
45 - GK again at the back

At the half

- definitely looked better
- DC dangerous, but a little slow
- RM good hold-up play, runs a bit off
- strong play in the middle, but too many late tackles for yellows

45 - sub: RM off, CA on
GOAL!! – 35 seconds in
– DC too cute, lost ball in middle
– fast break messed up by Arnoux & Davies
50 - great control by Wagner, good run and pull-back by Arnoux
– Forko underwhelming, then great timing to push ball forward
55 - corner, great chances
GOAL!! – Portland fast break, Dike
– sub: Porter on, PD off
– more good play by BW
60 - still outplaying them
– CA –> DC –> MN, great shot, great save
– two dangerous corners
65 - nice ball over top by TD to CA, nice run
– TD shot from scramble
GOAL!! – CA from KP cross after great move by TD
– more TD goodness
70 - good D on a Portland fast break by Pore
– TD more attacking this half
– sub: Z on, Forko off
75 - more good TD
– Z immediately solid play
80 - solid D by LB
– sub: MA on (!), LB off
– MA good tackle
85 - Nolly foot save
– great cross-field pass by Nash, Porter cross –> corner
– sub: JMc on, BW off
90 - Nash long shot
– JMc up front, DC wide right
– great run back to clear by WK

Terry Dunfield had an excellent game, and was Man of the Match for me. He tackled hard (a bit too hard on occasion), passed really well, and looked very comfortable on the ball. Thordarson seems to have given him greater license to go forward, and he was a goal threat all game.

Blake Wagner also had a strong game; after several weak performances this was refreshing to see. He was aggressive with the ball, ran at defenders, and passed well.

Nash had a solid game, distributing the ball well, putting a few good shots on net and defending well when needed.

Tsiskaridze came on late for Forko and did very well, attacking with intent while defending aggressively. It has been frustrating watching Thordarson give Forko time to audition while Z has sat on the bench. He’s a solid performer at this level, while Forko has looked suspect at times and doesn’t offer the same attacking option going forward.

Thordarson must be so thankful to have Chiumiento available to him. All due respect to Khalfan and Stewart*, but Chiumiento is just so much better than our previous creative attacking options.

Nolly was as solid as always. A few key saves kept us in the game.

Janicki, other than the missed clearance (which was difficult) on the first goal, was very solid at the back, and completely dominated in the air.

Wes Knight, announced as the Fan Favourite for 2010, was his usual dynamic self, though he hasn’t been getting forward as much as he used to. A couple of key interceptions highlighted how important he has been to the team this season .

Kyle Porter put in a good showing in his short appearance. Two or three good crosses, some nice work with the ball, etc. He created space, and was more aggressive running at defenders than Davies, who also put in a good shift.

And finally, Arnoux impressed for the first time. His runs were a bit sharper, he combined well with our other attacking players, and he made an aggressive, intelligent run on his goal.

* To be fair, Stewart did have a good assist rate before leaving, and I think we’ve missed him over the past few games.

Category: Match report