Ian Walker
The result wasn't there for the Vancouver Whitecaps men's team. At least the same can't be said for the number of chances created by the United Soccer League First Division side.
Despite a flurry of opportunities around the opponents goal, the Whitecaps were forced to settle for a 1-1 draw against a depleted Miami FC Blues side in the second of two games at Swangard Stadium on Sunday. The women's team were shutout 3-0 by the Pali Blues in the day's earlier match.
"It was an open game, an entertaining game, but for us who wanted the three points it was a little disappointing," said head coach Teitur Thordarson, following the contest played in front of 5,288 fans.
The Whitecaps failed to execute on a number of glorious scoring chances. None better than in extra time when Eddie Sebrango missed with a first time shot from the six-yard box.
Defender Chris Pozniak's first goal as Whitecap evened the game early in the second half after J.P. Galavis gave the visitors the lead in the 19th minute. It's the fourth game in a row Vancouver has trailed at the half.
"It's nice to get one," said Pozniak, whose contract with the club expires at the end of the month in order to pursue European opportunities.
There were nine changes to Miami's lineup from the one that deadlocked the Sounders 0-0 on Friday in Seattle, none more surprising than Sam Reynolds start in goal and the exclusion of USL-1 leading scorer Alex Afonso. Reynolds replaced Josh Saunders, who had not allowed a goal in the Blues previous six games, while Afonso had appeared in all 14 of his side's games this season, scoring seven of Miami's 12 goals heading into the game.
Vancouver (7-3-2) has a two-point edge on second place Charleston Battery (6-3-3) heading into Wednesday's home game against the Montreal Impact in the second game of the Nutralite Canadian Championships, A CONCACAF qualifying tournament.
© Vancouver Sun
