Whitecaps-Impact Player Ratings

By: Lee | May 21st, 2009

Whitecaps 2-0 Impact

Scoring Summary:
1′ – VAN – Marcus Haber (Gordon Chin)
17′ – VAN – Charles Gbeke (Takashi Hirano)

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 6 – Montreal 18
Saves: Vancouver 9 – Montreal 3
Fouls: Vancouver 4 – Montreal 8
Offsides: Vancouver 4 – Montreal 7
Corners: Vancouver 3 – Montreal 12

Cautions:
8′ – VAN – Gordon Chin
15′ – MTL – Roberto Brown
24′ – VAN – Wesley Charles
86′ – VAN – Marcus Haber (??? – When did this happen?)
90′ – VAN – Martin Nash

Player Ratings:

Nolly (GK): MOTM. He is the reason why the Whitecaps won this game. Came out well to snuff out the through balls, made some great saves and some help from the crossbar.
Charles (D): Had a solid game. Was a rock on defense, often covering the blunders of other defenders especially late in the game.
Knight (D): Made some great tackles and some good passes, but also got burned on the wing a few times.
Hirano (D): Solid performance. Set up the second goal with a great cross. Moved the ball well on his side and prevented the Impact from really creating anything on his wing.
Parke (D): Subbed early in the game after a knock to the head. From what I saw, he played well and the Impact certainly had more chances after he came off.
Nash (M): Not one of his better games. Sent some great through balls and was there when needed, but also gave the ball away with some poor passes.
Toure (M): This player is hot and cold. This was one of his cold games: poor passes and gave away the ball too easily. His head wasn’t in the game. Subbed.
Gage (M): Great game from the 17-year old (which makes him too young to enjoy the Montreal nightlife). Moved the ball well, wasn’t afraid to shoot it and nearly scored. It will be interesting to see how he continues to develop.
Chin (M): Great ball that set up the first goal, but his play was poor after that first minute. Poor passes and lost possession several times, couldn’t get anything going. To be fair, he was playing out of position on the wing. Subbed.
Haber (F): Great game. Scored the opening goal with a slick finish. Won several long balls, often against multiple Impact defenders. Laid it off nicely to his teammates. Seemed to tire a bit towards the end of the game and was caught offside a few times.
Gbeke (F): Great header goal from a tough angle from the Montreal native. After that he was a bit invisible.

Subs:
Thompson (D): Not really impressed by his play, but he also didn’t cause any huge blunders either.

Lyall (M): Entered in the 71′. Didn’t really see much from him, bad or good.

Moose (M): The guy was like Speedy Gonzales out there. Very crafty and almost sealed the game if it weren’t for a great save from Matt Jordan. Kinda surprised he didn’t start.

Be Champions!