'Caps come out firing but fall short 2-1 against Seattle

September 15, 20189:27PM PDT
Oscar Beardmore-Gray
whitecapsfc.com
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (11W-10L-7D) fell to a 2-1 defeat against Seattle Sounders FC (13W-9L-5D), watched by an MLS franchise record-breaking crowd of 27,863 at BC Place on a rainy Saturday night.
 
This Cascadia derby was played with playoff intensity, but Whitecaps FC could not continue their six-game unbeaten run, while the Sounders extended a record breaking winning streak to nine matches.
 
Despite Kei Kamara’s 12th goal of the season, a brace from Raúl Ruidíaz was enough to give Sounders FC three points and leave Vancouver continuing to fight to get above the playoff line with six matches remaining.
 
The ‘Caps started the brighter team and nearly made it 1-0 early on when Kei Kamara’s deft knockdown found Nicolas Mezquida one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot went agonisingly wide.
 
But it was Seattle who opened the scoring in the 21st minute when Kelvin Leerdam and Cristian Roldan combined to set up Peruvian Raúl Ruidíaz. An overlap on the ‘Caps left hand-side allowed Ruidíaz to get in front and slide it home to make it 1-0, to the delight of over 500 travelling Sounders fans.
 
Whitecaps FC looked the better side throughout the first half but Seattle clinically doubled their lead in the 42nd minute. A mistake at the back played Ruidíaz in, who rounded Stefan Marinovic to score his second goal of the night.
 
However, Vancouver got themselves back in the game just before halftime. A corner whipped in from the left-hand side from Mezquida was met by the leaping Kei Kamara to rally the BC Place faithful and give the ‘Caps momentum heading into the second half.
 
The ‘Caps continued to apply the pressure after the break. Kamara nearly levelled the game when his left-foot strike cannoned off the post before Mezquida had another driven shot tipped over the bar.  
 
The ‘Caps pressed in search of an equalizer and Jordan Mutch, who was making his first appearance since sustaining an injury against Seattle on July 21, nearly was the provider. His delicate backheel inched past the post right at the end but Seattle, who boast the best defensive record in MLS, held on to seal victory and the 2018 Cascadia Cup.
 
The 'Caps are back in action on Sunday, September 23 when they face FC Dallas. Kickoff is 4 p.m. live on TSN and TSN 1040. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.

MCMILLAN 'CAPS CORNER KICK DONATIONS
For every 'Caps corner kick at home, McMillan donates $100 to the United Way. An additional $500 is donated for every goal scored off a corner kick. This match McMillan Corners for Kids has donated $1,400 for a running total of $9,200.

MATCH DETAILS

Budweiser Man of the Match: Kei Kamara
Referee: Robert Sibiga
Attendance: 27,863

Scoring Summary
21’ – SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz (Kelvin Leerdam, Cristian Roldan)
42’ – SEA – Raúl Ruidíaz
45’+4’ – VAN – Kei Kamara (Nicolás Mezquida)

Cautions
41’ – SEA – Osvaldo Alonso
48’ – VAN – Russell Teibert
59’ – SEA – Kelvin Leerdam
90’+6’ – VAN – Kei Kamara

Statistics
Possession: VAN 52% – SEA 48%
Shots: VAN 21 – SEA 7
Shots on Goal: VAN 5 – SEA 5
Saves: VAN 3 – SEA 4
Fouls: VAN 12 – SEA 5
Offsides: VAN 1 – SEA 0
Corners: VAN 10 – SEA 8
Duels won: VAN 43 – SEA 49
Tackles won: VAN 13 – SEA 15

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Stefan Marinović; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 4.Kendall Waston ©, 2.Doneil Henry, 46.Brett Levis (20.Brek Shea 53’); 13.Cristian Techera, 66.Aly Ghazal (77.Jordon Mutch 70’), 31.Russell Teibert, 67.Alphonso Davies; 11.Nicolás Mezquida (19.Erik Hurtado 81’), 23.Kei Kamara

Substitutes not used
12.Brian Rowe, 3.Sean Franklin, 6.Efraín Juárez, 8.Felipe

Seattle Sounders FC
11.Stefan Frei; 18.Kelvin Leerdam (17.Will Bruin 78’), Kim 20.Kee-hee, 14.Chad Marshall, 11.Brad Smith; 4.Gustav Svensson, 6.Osvaldo Alonso ©; 7.Cristian Roldan, 10.Nicolás Lodeiro, 19.Harry Shipp (8.Víctor Rodríguez 69’); 9.Raúl Ruidíaz (21.Jordy Delem 89’)

Substitutes not used
35.Bryan Meredith, 5.Nouhou Tolo, 16.Alex Roldan, 27.Lamar Neagle