Playing their final home match of the 2011 MLS Reserve League season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves (2W-5L-2D) suffered a late 1-0 defeat to Portland Timbers reserves (6W-2L-2D) on Monday.
A late strike by substitute Bryan Burke gave Portland's reserves victory in a relatively uneventful match at Swangard Stadium. There was little to choose between the two clubs before the Timbers claimed the win inside the last ten minutes of the contest, which was played in overcast and wet conditions in Burnaby, BC. "There wasn't much between the two teams, and it was difficult when you have a few players come in on trial to try and get any consistency," Whitecaps FC assistant coach Colin Miller told whitecapsfc.com. "Yet, it was frustrating to see us give up that late goal."
In charge for Monday's reserve clash, Miller gave German trialist Matthias Langkamp a start alongside recent acquisition Carlyle Mitchell in the centre of Vancouver's backline. There was a familiar face in the Timbers reserves line-up, as former 'Caps player Kevin Harmse played at centre back for the City of Roses outfit. Timbers captain Jack Jewsbury and midfielder Kalif Alhassan also started for the visitors.
Both sides traded chances during a goalless first half. Mustapha Jarju and Alexandre Morfaw were off-target with long-range efforts for the home side, while Long Tan rolled a shot into the arms of Timbers goalkeeper Jake Gleeson on 20 minutes. At the other end, Jewsbury had a couple of opportunities for the visitors, while striker Bright Dike forced a routine save from 'Caps goalkeeper Jay Nolly midway through the opening 45 minutes.
The second half saw Omar Salgado replace Jarju at halftime, and the 'Caps youngster created a couple of half chances shortly after the restart, including a well-struck shot from long range that just missed the far post on 52 minutes. Midway through the second half, Residency product Bryce Alderson made his Reserve League debut when he came on for Morfaw in central midfield.
The game's decisive moment came on 82 minutes. A 'Caps turnover near the edge of their own box led to Timbers striker Bright Dike forcing a good save from Nolly. However, the rebound fell to Burke, who slotted his shot into an empty net to earn Portland a second Reserve League win over Vancouver in 2011.
Whitecaps FC reserves will play their final MLS Reserve League match against Chivas USA reserves at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California, on Tuesday, October 18. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. PT.
Scoring Summary:
82' - POR - Bryan Burke
Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 5 – Portland 7
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 1 – Portland 4
Saves: Vancouver 4 – Portland 1
Fouls: Vancouver 13 – Portland 10
Offsides: Vancouver 2 – Portland 6
Corners: Vancouver 0 – Portland 4
Cautions:
22' - VAN - Matthias Langkamp
42' - VAN - Greg Janicki
80' - VAN - Nizar Khalfan
Vancouver Whitecaps FC reserves
18.Jay Nolly; 3.Bilal Duckett, 34.Matthias Langkamp (2.Michael Boxall 67'), 19.Carlyle Mitchell, 14.Greg Janicki; 13.Michael Nanchoff, 27.Alexandre Morfaw (36.Bryce Alderson 67'), 15.Philippe Davies, 16.Nizar Khalfan; 7.Mustapha Jarju (17.Omar Salgado 45'), 23.Long Tan (38.Omar Elmasri 75')
Subs not used: 1.Joe Cannon
Portland Timbers reserves
20.Jake Gleeson; 22.Rodney Wallace, 25.Steve Purdy, 35.Kevin Harmse, 27.Chris Taylor; 28.Freddie Braun, 13.Jack Jewsbury (17.Eric Alexander 45'), 8.Peter Lowry; 11.Kalif Alhassan (36.Bryan Burke 74'), 9.Bright Dike, 19.Rodrigo Lopez
Subs not used: 12.David Horst
