Mexican midfielder adds some spice to struggling Whitecaps offence
By Bruce Constantineau
It took one teammate's wonky back and another's personal leave to create a playing opportunity for Ricardo Sanchez and he made the most of it.
The 27-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder made his first start of the season Saturday and impressed by generating many of his team's scoring opportunities in an entertaining 0-0 draw with the Montreal Impact.
The set-piece specialist, a USL-1 all-star last year with the Minnesota Thunder, drew into the Caps lineup because of a back injury to Martin Nash and a personal leave taken by Jonny Steele.
Sanchez whipped in dangerous corners and delivered free kicks that constantly challenged Montreal defenders. The former Mexican U-17 international nearly scored when he struck a superb 25-yard free kick that forced Impact keeper Matt Jordan to make a great save at the near post.
"I felt pretty good and felt I played real well, for my first start this season," Sanchez said after the home game at Swangard Stadium, stressing that all his teammates played well in a match that was infinitely more watchable than the team's mind-numbing scoreless draw last week with Crystal Palace Baltimore.
Sanchez has struggled for playing time this year and was left off the team roster when it travelled to Portland late last month. Head coach Teitur Thordarson has been reluctant to break up the successful central midfield tandem of Nash and Luca Bellisomo so Sanchez has had to work hard and bide his time.
"It's hard for every player in the world but you have to be professional," he said. "You have to keep working and wait for your opportunity because you never know when it will come."
Thordarson was impressed with the performance of the midfielder who wears No. 99.
"Ricardo did very, very well until he got tired late in the game -- the last 15 or 20 minutes," he said. "That's not surprising because he hasn't played a lot lately but up until then, I think he was great."
The scoreless draw against Montreal was the Whitecaps' third such result in six USSF D-2 Pro League games so far this year and the fifth clean sheet of the season.
The Caps have only scored four goals in six matches but the game against Montreal didn't frustrate Thordarson as much as previous scoreless encounters.
Besides Sanchez's great chance off the free kick, Bellisomo hit the post when he headed a Sanchez corner.
"We played very well in all aspects, except scoring goals," he said. "I felt we were very positive tonight and I really like what I saw."
Thordarson made several lineup changes Saturday, including benching defender Chris Williams and playing Wes Knight at right fullback. Williams, a 28-year-old Canadian international who played with Charleston Battery last year, had been a fixture at the right back position.
Thordarson said Williams has not played his best lately but noted he has an ankle problem that might be hampering his mobility.
Veteran Caps defender/midfielder Takashi Hirano saw his
first game action since recovering from a serious knee injury suffered two months ago.
Hirano played 20 minutes as a midfielder in the second half and will likely see a similar spot on Wednesday when Vancouver plays Toronto FC in a Nutrilite Canadian Championship game at Swangard.
SIDE KICKS: Whitecaps forward Cornelius Stewart, a 20-year-old residency program product, made his first start for the senior side against Montreal and Thordarson was pleased with his pace and work ethic ... Nash and striker Marlon James [hamstring] are listed as day-to-day and might play against Toronto on Wednesday night.
NEXT GAME
Wednesday
vs Toronto FC
7:30 p.m.
at Swangard Stadium
Sportsnet
bconstantineau@vancouversun.com © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
