Caps dictated most of the match, but couldn't score on Toronto
By Bruce Constantineau
The Vancouver Whitecaps goal-scoring drought continued Wednesday but the disappointing scoreless draw with Toronto FC kept them alive -- barely -- in Nutrilite Canadian Championship play at Swangard Stadium.
The Caps dictated much of the action and played the game very much like the team that desperately needed at least a draw to stay in contention for the title that determines who represents Canada in CONCACAF Champions League play.
Vancouver now has the tall task of having to win its final two Nutrilite games to win the championship or Toronto will capture the title. The Caps play in Montreal next week and in Toronto on June 2.
Vancouver forwards Marcus Haber and Cornelius Stewart consistently tested and challenged Toronto defenders and even Caps midfielder Ricardo Sanchez -- not known as a speed demon -- showed lots of run and pushed forward whenever possible.
Vancouver's best scoring chance in the first half came in the 14th minute when Haber sent a great pass through to midfielder Luca Bellisomo, who narrowly missed from 20 yards out.
Toronto comfortably absorbed most of the first-half pressure and Dwayne De Rosario created their best chance midway through the half when he sent a dangerous pass into the Whitecaps' box, just out of range of forward O'Brian White.
Haber's strong work rate created another good chance early in the second half when his cross from the byline narrowly missed Caps midfielder Justin Moose.
Vancouver had most of the offensive play in the second half but once again, could not find the finish they needed in the final third of the field.
Vancouver has scored just five goals in six regular-season games and two Nutrilite games this season.
The Reds rested regular keeper Stefan Frei and started backup Jon Conway, giving him his first playing minutes of the season. Conway had to make a huge save in the 79th minute when Caps midfielder Takashi Hirano got a dangerous header off from close range.
Toronto's best second-half scoring chances came late, with Amadou Sanyang powering a 26-yard strike just over the Vancouver crossbar and De Rosario forcing Whitecaps keeper Jay Nolly to make a save from a strong shot in the 82nd minute.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson thought his team played "extremely well" but simply could not score -- a familiar lament this season.
"We attacked well and defended well and controlled the game," he said.
Thordarson feels it is just a matter of time before his squad starts scoring.
"I know the team is coming so well together now and we are creating chances against a team that is doing very well in MLS," he said.
"If we can do that, then we will surely create chances against teams in our league."
He said Vancouver is more than capable of winning its last two Nutrilite games if it plays like it did against Toronto.
Caps defender Wes Knight felt the team created enough scoring chances -- like its scoreless draw against Montreal last weekend -- and feels the past two games have been "like a breath of fresh air" compared with previous low-scoring contests.
Toronto FC head coach Preki felt his team did not play particularly well.
"I thought our group was not ready to play from the first moment and when you don't, you're always playing catch-up in the game," he said.
"But apart from [Vancouver's] set pieces and long throw-ins, we really didn't have any trouble defending."
Preki said complacency and fatigue from recent travel could have played a part in the subpar performance.
SIDE KICKS The Nutrilite winner will play C.D. Motagua of Honduras in preliminary round CONCACAF Champions League play that begins in late July . . . Toronto FC and Canadian international midfielder Julian de Guzman sat out with a hamstring injury . . . The Whitecaps have a record of 2-1-2 against Toronto FC since 2008 and the . . . The game was the Caps' third straight scoreless draw, the first time that has happened in team history dating back to 1974.
bconstantineau@vancouversun.com © Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
