Match Report:

By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps women battled to a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Seattle Sounders under the most difficult of circumstances in Tukwila, Washington, on Monday night.

A sudden rash of illness left Vancouver desperately short of healthy players, with the Whitecaps dominating the first half to take a 2-0 lead, but then wilting in the heat as Seattle came back to earn a draw.

The Whitecaps were supposed to be buoyed by the return of head coach Bob Birarda and his triumphant squad of Canadian U-20 players, who had just flown back from Mexico on Sunday having won the CONCACAF U-20 Women's Championship in superb fashion. Six of the U-20 players were included in the Whitecaps traveling roster to Seattle, but the after-effects of the grueling schedule and conditions in Mexico began to catch up with them, and all six became ill on the drive down the I-5. Coach Birarda, meanwhile, was too sick to even make the trip, leaving assistant coach Marc Rizzardo with a lot more than he bargained for. As well, the Whitecaps were without star forward Tiffeny Milbrett, who was in Europe on business.

Of the six returning U-20s, three were well enough to start: goalkeeper Justine Bernier, midfielder Paige Adams, and forward Karla Schacher, who had scored Canada's game-winning-goal against the USA in the final just days earlier. However, Bernier was the only one who would manage the full 90, as nausea and dehydration took its toll on the others. Substitute Julie Armstrong lasted only fifteen minutes after coming on at halftime, while Shannon Woeller was too ill to even take the field.

The Whitecaps came out strong to start the game, and had Seattle under pressure early. Forward Amy Vermeulen had a couple of good chances on free headers, but both times her effort was stopped on the line.

On minute 23, Vermeulen netted the opening goal, collecting a pass from Sanna Talonen before scoring her third goal of the season.

Eight minutes later, the two players reversed roles, with Vermeulen getting on the end of a long ball from Bernier before feeding Talonen, who scored her third of the season to make it 2-0.

Seattle pulled a goal back on minute 39, as fullback Kelli Smith broke in well on the overlap and finished to make it 2-1.

Despite the heat and tough physical play, the Whitecaps made it to the break still leading by a goal.

Coach Rizzardo brought on some fresh legs at halftime, and Vancouver did well for the first ten minutes after the restart, but Seattle started to apply more pressure, pushing players forward. The Whitecaps switched from a 4-3-3 formation to 4-4-2 to try and better contain the Seattle midfield, but the Sounders kept coming.

On minute 65, it looked like Seattle would get their equalizer after a questionable penalty was awarded to the Sounders following a challenge in the box by Tina Romagnuolo. Bernier came up big in goal, however, and stopped the spot kick, giving her teammates a much-needed lift.

It wasn't enough however, as Seattle finally leveled the score on minute 84, as a good through ball sent Katherine Reynolds breaking in on goal to make it 2-2.

Vancouver came close to scoring a dramatic winner just three minutes later, but a good shot from Talonen went just wide of the post.


“Overall, the players put in a tremendous effort tonight, and I know a lot of them played very sick, very ill; I can't complain about their effort,” said Rizzardo afterwards.

The players now get some time to recover before their next game, which is Sunday, July 13, at home to Fort Collins Force. With a record now of 5-2-3, the Whitecaps remain in control of their playoff destiny, while 1-3-3 Seattle are going to have get their playoff drive in gear, if they are to have any hope of reaching the postseason.

Goal Summaries:
VAN – 1-0 – Amy Vermeulen (Sanna Talonen) 23'
Vermeulen netted the opening goal after collecting a pass from Talonen before scoring her third goal of the season.

VAN – 2-0 – Sanna Talonen (Amy Vermeulen) 31'
The two Whitecaps players reversed roles, with Vermeulen getting on the end of a long ball from goalkeeper Justine Bernier before feeding Talonen, who scored her third of the season.

SEA – 2-1 – Kelli Smith 39'
Seattle pulled a goal back as fullback Smith broke in well on the overlap and finished.

SEA – 2-2 – Katherine Reynolds 84'
Seattle leveled the score, as a good through ball sent Katherine Reynolds breaking in on goal to make it 2-2.

Match Stats:
Shots: Seattle 12 - Vancouver 6
Saves: Seattle 2 - Vancouver 2
Fouls: Seattle 11 - Vancouver 16
Offsides: Seattle 4 - Vancouver 1
Corners: Seattle 3 - Vancouver 5

Cautions:
Vancouver: none
Seattle: Beth Drollinger 88'
 
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
26.Justine Bernier; 6.Rachael Pelat, 18.Chelsea Stang, 17.Eden Hingwing, 10.Katrin Schmidt; 19.Anoop Josan, 7.Rosalyn Hicks (23.Tina Romagnuolo 45'), 21.Paige Adams (12.Mallory Outerbridge 53'); 14.Sanna Talonen, 4.Amy Vermeulen, 24.Karla Schacher (9.Julie Amstrong 45', 29.Kirsteen Buchan 70')

Subs not used: 27.Sian Bagshawe, 3.Shannon Woeller
 
Seattle Sounders
1.Cori Alexander (30.Jessica Salvi 45'); 15.Shannon Lovejoy, 21.Kathryn Warner (22.Beth Drollinger 45'), 23.Kelli Smith, 27.Nikki Gamble (10.Annie Schaefter 64'); 2.Chalise Baysa (20.Dani Bridges 45'), 9.Tafara Pulse, 12.Michelle French, 16.Malia Arrant (7.Tameka Sumter 45'), 19.Kathleen Deines; 14.Katherine Reynolds