Good Friday morning Caps fans, hope you all are having a lovely week and that you are ready for the weekend to get here.
Well, folks, the Caps have been CONCACAF-ed. Again.
In truth, Vancouver only has itself to blame for conceding a late equalizer against Pumas at BC Place on Wednesday, with poor set piece defending teeing up Coco Carrasquilla’s brilliant half volley.
It is a shame, as the Caps were comfortably the better team over the course of the evening and were good value for Brian White’s scuffed goal midway through the second half. True, the Caps didn’t create a ton of shots but they dictated play, had some excellent looks in the box off of Edier Ocampo crosses and minimized any meaningful chances for Pumas up until the goal. The midfield trio of Ralph Priso, Sebastian Berhalter and J.C. Ngando was excellent.
That won’t be much consolation for Vancouver, who now has to conspire to score at least once in Mexico in order to advance once again. But this is a marked difference from the last time Pumas came to BC Place, when the Caps were largely played off the pitch in their Leagues Cup defeat last season.
This match was a helpful reminder that the Caps are not impervious to being without top end talent and having to rely on guys like Jeevan Badwal in key moments. That didn’t bite them against Monterrey but it was inevitable that it would do so at some point. That isn’t a critique of Badwal or anyone else — it is just a reality. Ultimately, Vancouver’s depth will benefit from this moment but it creates some complications in the short term.
The Caps seem unlikely to add a ton more this transfer window, shipping an international spot to New England in an apparent nod to the fact that two signings won’t be happening this window.
But it remains encouraging that, no matter who is on the pitch, the same style of play and structure remains. Jesper Sorensen is cooking, even within the current confines. And for that reason alone, no one should be ruling out another comeback in Mexico City next week.
Shameless Self Promotion
In case you missed some or all of Wednesday’s match, we break down the key moments and dole out report card grades.
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Badwal should never have been placed at the back post- it was an obvious weak area for Pumas to exploit- jesper and the defence leaders shouldnt have allowed that to happen… and Badwal had 2 Pumas players to cover (look at the re-play)
also, our goalie has a notorious weakness for giving up short post goals- Takaoka was frozen on the shot – i still think that with more experience in games that Isaac Boehmer is/will be a better goalie
all-in-all, the Caps gave 100% and deserved to win- Jesper has the Team playing well as a unit and keeping ball possession