The Vancouver Whitecaps defeated St. Louis City 3-2 in a match that is sure to be mired in controversy.
Let’s get the big talking points out of the way: Were those penalties? Let’s deal with the first one first. In my view, probably not, but the play before it probably should have been a penalty so it’s basically a wash.
On the second one, I have to say I was not able to see any contact in any of the replays shown on the broadcast. If you are a St. Louis fan I can see why this series of events would be frustrating, I mean I would be fuming if I were them. The story lines that came together in that moment, Muller’s 1st goal, the come from behind win, the 114th minute, the Bayern vs. BVB rivalry playing out on the North American continent, all have the whiff of someone putting their thumbs on the scale if you are a conspiratorially minded person.
Here’s the thing though, even if you discount the penalties the Whitecaps doubled St. Louis’ open play xG (at least they did on the slightly dodgy MLS website model). So, did the Whitecaps deserve that particular penalty? Probably not. But did the deserve to win in general? Yes, they absolutely did.
Now let’s talk about the actual game. The first half was not great. Vancouver created few clear cut chances despite territorial dominance. Thomas Muller didn’t look to be quite in sync with his teammates, which is to be expected at this stage. But the effect was that the Whitecaps were not very good at turning good positions into shots.
Conversely, St. Louis actually was doing a pretty good job of making their moments count. On their first goal specifically, Jayden Nelson had a bit of a defensive lapse as he failed to track back and get pressure on the cross.
More generally, I think we saw some of the trade offs of the 4-2-3-1 system with Muller as the #10. Berhalter and Cubas were asked to do a lot more defensive work and cover a lot more ground. So if one of them had made a run forward or stepped up to be part of the press the ‘Caps were quite vulnerable to a quick break.
Takaoka, Ocampo and Halbouni caught a lot of flack online for failing to stop the second goal but it only got to that point because Cubas was already on a yellow card and couldn’t commit another tactical foul. Maybe the centreback additions will be so good that being a little more exposed won’t matter but if not the Whitecaps might have to find some new solutions against stronger teams.
In the second half the Whitecaps were much better at turning good positions into shots with White (who left the game with an injury), Laborda, and Sabbi all having multiple decent looks. The game of course ended with the controversial penalty but if that doesn’t happen and the Whitecaps do convert one of those chances then I don’t think there would be any question they were deserving winners. Overall, this wasn’t the cleanest win of all time but the blueprint for a Whitecaps team which is back to their dominant selves was there.
The Whitecaps now have three weeks off (apparently re-scheduling their game 3 days before the CCL final was impossible though) which should be an opportunity to integrate new players and get healthy, but also means that once again the Whitecaps are going to miss out on a chance to build some momentum.
(Image: Chaehyun Lim)
The negativity needs to stop – I wasn’t pleased with the way the Caps played either it we have to give them time to gel with Müller etc. I do agree that Nelson moves faster than he thinks – he often tries too hard, missing passing opportunities….but a win is a win. I think Müller will be a calming influence eventually – it’s only 2 games in. The game vs Philadelphia will be telling. Let’s not forget that this is the team that totally collapsed in Mexico City….ao to say that Müller upset their balance is ridiculous. I think one of our biggest problems it was clear Müller spotted right away….literally within seconds of his first match – out passing is brutal. We often look like 5 year olds passing to gaps or players that don’t exist – we almost never look for an open man. But all that aside, the way the team is celebrating goals tells you they are on the same page, we just need to focus.
Nelson has one play in his play book – run up the pitch at break neck speed leaving his teammates in the dust with no one to pass the ball to once he reaches the area around the box, and that’s *IF* he were to choose to pass it rather than attempting to score on his own. Being fast and being game smart are not the same thing. I’m sure there is someone out there who tracks how many times he loses possession while playing fast and furious with the ball tangled at his feet. There’s more to the game than speed. It’s very frustrating to watch.
Müller, on the other hand, is slow. Will his experience make up for his inability to run? Who knows. But what I saw was a guy trying to give some direction to his teammates once they got close to the goal and some were outright ignoring him (see above). I was surprised he didn’t take more shots at the goal than he did.
With only a handful of games left, even if Gauld does return before the end of the season, he’s not going to perform like he did at the beginning of the season. There will be a lot of measured caution. I think folks should not count on him too much.
They can’t win without scoring goals. The tie games are killing them. If two of their 7 ties had been wins they would be at the top of the Supporter’s Shield in points, and that’s without the game in hand.
First have not a pretty sight for sure! Muller running around like @ a training session arms waving giving instruction s to deaf ears but struggling to complete a pass! Poor coaching decision to start him? perhaps the coach should have allowed Muller to watch for an hour and then figure out how he was to help win the game? ……….Nelson ? put him in the centre? worth a try? It was like watching a completely different team with the close bonding just gone!
My take aways: the Caps did not play well. Don’t think I’ve seen a team play so poorly and get a win. Muller was awful in the 1st half. Couldn’t complete a pass. Based on the last 2 games, we’re getting knocked out of the playoffs in game 1. Sorensen has tough job ahead trying to navigate what to do with the aged superstar. For me, Muller would be better as a 2nd half sub when there’s more time and space to do his thing. I agree the Caps needed depth on the back line but I don’t think Johnson and Halbouni should be relegated to being subs. Right now I see the team chemistry changing and not in good way. The penalties. The 1st one was a foul but that Blackmon screamed in agony while spinning to the ground was embellishment 100%. Wonder if MLS will be fining him on that account. The 2nd penalty, all I saw was 2 players running together side by side. I didn’t see the defender doing anything that was a foul. Perhaps officiating has changed in that all that is to be decided on is the outcome of the interaction whether it be incidental/accidental or otherwise. We desperately need the Gauld White magic back. So far the idea that Muller will make White better ain’t happening. Final word: Sorensen was able to bring a youthful energy to the team and that was working. Now he has players that are older and slower. Despite all that experience, it’s not going to be easy making us better going in to the playoffs.
The first round is best of 3 so they’re not “getting knocked out of the playoffs in game 1”, the fact that you don’t even know what the playoff format is says it all.
you’re 99% right. I was going by last year’s 1 game knock out against Portland. The 1 game Play In Wild Card. It would seem impossible that the Caps could fall to 8th or 9th so, yes, It would be a best of 3. I guess it’s only normal, at this stage of the season, that opponent’s are figuring out how to play against us. Also what comes to mind is the 3 players we lost: Ranko, Sam and Vite. All very important players in the early season success
Sam wasn’t that important, agreed with ranko and vite though. Ultimately, the balance of this season hinges on whether Pupe and Schonlau can perform at the back. In the attack, the caps should be fine
well- i groaned inside when i saw Rios coming on— but i would never boo a player coming on the field – DISRESPECTFUL AND HURTFUL — wasnt it justice for Rios that he got a beautiful back-header goal – he has got 3 goals this year and all have been terrific- his contract ends this december 31 and i doubt the Caps re-sign him- he is a solid professional, just with lower skills than needed in MLS- the South Siders are really good supporters, but just really DUMB sometimes
Salty
One issue last night was that they seemed to be trying to play through Muller when his whole thing is about finding space and not being the main focus.
They also missed Vite’s creativity I think.
They’ve now got three weeks to work on how to use Muller to best effect (and make sure that his presence doesn’t create the kind of absence we saw in the midfield last night)
The Whitecaps did not deserve that win! St. Louis was robbed! Klauss gets taken down with a hip check going to the goal and no call? Then you look at both penalty kick calls that were total BS! You don’t see that crap being called in the Premier league?
Sir, this is an Arby’s
unfortunately you have small eyes- if you see the slo-mo, both the Cap PKs were the- just over 50%- right calls– but u r right in saying that City should have had 1 PK— and Laborda did get clipped- watch the slo-mo
Salty
I think that’s a great take. Muller was never really the centre piece. Gauld would be interesting with him to allow him to roam around. I think it affected Berhalters game last night as well. They have a couple of weeks now to figure out whats working best to bring out the best in everyone again.
Thoughts from the bottom of my arse and the top of my head:
1. watching the slo-mo, the City player definitely clipped Laborda’s right foot on his first step inside the box- Laborda fell for no other reason then he got clipped- Matias isnt the type of player who falls on a whim
2. City’s second goal was a terrific counter-attack- i dont blame any Cap player- speed can kill
3. our first PK was a dubious call, but Blackmon was pulled back… slightly…ever so slightly
4. Caps dont have the killer instinct, so good chances go begging- its a pattern- to go deep into the playoffs, the Caps need to take their chances – we have played 2 bottom teams and struggled because we didnt put them away with all the chances
5. Nelson and Sabbi dont have much soccer intelligence–they get caught up with their dribbling and cant think fast enough… and Jayden plays lazy
6. Muller had 2 header chances to score- eventually he will put them away
7. Halbouni is growing into the professional games and will become a solid CB with more experience– i like how he listened to Muller or a red card was coming- i wonder if the City player made a racial comment ??
8. the 3 weeks off will allow White to heal, the new players to integrate, the coaches to decide on what formations to use against what teams, the players to rest and tell all of us if Ryan Gauld can make it back (count me as doubtful)… and he will wear the Captain armband (Thomas will understand that)
as a side note, in 2 games, Muller has added another 12 000 tickets x $55 average price= $660K
MLS takes 50% so Muller has made the Caps $330K… half of his salary for this year- the bump-up of enthusiasm of the crowds has been terrific
Salty
5. All the opposition needs to do to counter Nelson’s speed is to bring a second-or third 😃-player to defend and he will try to dribble through. Yes he has-and will-score based solely on his speed and low probability/high eye candy moves BUT when we are healthier will be an excellent 80th minute substitution.
7. I think that Halbouni is becoming a decent, simple, safe defender. Nothing wrong at all with that…
The biggest story of the night may be Brian White we simply cannot afford to lose him right now. I don’t buy the idea that Vancouver deserved to win- you deserve to win if you score and we were only able to score with two very soft penalties. The radio announcers indicated that Ryan Gauld may be back for our next game which then got announced on MLS 360. I’m not sure I think that’s likely but my goodness he is the player we need right now.
The second goal was caused by Laborda abandoning that LB position again. Cubas should never be put in a footrace with a player on the touchline. Both of these Muller games we’ve been over excited about attacking and have lacked the solidity we had in April and May. That’s not about Ranko, it’s about discipline and everyone singing from the same song sheet.
Halbouni was excellent overall. That’s huge.
And Ali is so important for us. Look at our record with and without him. Makes so much more varied and better decisions than Nelson on the left.
Just imagining what the reaction would be on here if it was St. Louis being awarded the PKs on those two “fouls”. Christmas came early for the team.
VAR saw contact and convinced the referee (and I have seen many reviews take considerably longer) that there was contact. That is literally all that is required: the second part of Law 12 says “A direct free kick is awarded if a player commits any of the following offences: (…) impedes an opponent with contact (…)” and does not even require the offenses in this list to be careless, reckless, or excessive force. Just as a defender should keep his hands in when potentially blocking a shot, so you have to be extra careful not to contact a player in the box who already has a full step on you when you go from outside to inside. The STL defender could have hesitated and still been in a decent defensive position by the time Laborda tracked down the ball.
Jesper needs to take the team on a bus trip to a lonely farm somewhere and get them out of the bus and say “gentlemen, this is the broad side of a barn, and when you all can convince me that you can hit it consistently, we’ll get back on the air-conditioned bus.”
that could be a longgggg bus trip- but a heck of a good idea
Salty
What’s was going on before the final whistle with Halbouni and some of the other Caps? Seemed to be some pulling him back and away from something?
this video from the crowd shows it best: https://x.com/KyleBraun/status/1959477457209479294
one of the st louis players (number 10, lowen) was mad at the whitecaps’ celebrations and started jawing at halbouni. then the other caps stepped in to try and stop halbouni from getting into trouble
From the right corner of your clip it looks like the Caps defender might have said something as he joined the celebration
HE WAS UPSET WITH ONE WHITECAP PLAYER……MULLER HAD TO HOLD HIM BACK!
bring in so many new players can upset a close nit group!,…Gauld must be having thoughts about captain s band gone>.,,,,,IT SHALL TAKE A FEW WEEKS BUT SHALL WORK OUT!
Muller’s just the vice-captain, gauld is still the main captain and will wear the armband when he returns. The histrionics are a bit much
agree with Anon but not sure how that shall actually work out….only the Whitecaps would attempt this in mid season……it has to work and i think it shall?
Second half in the attack was pretty promising but the defence was terrible today. Hopefully the new defender signings slot in quickly
Ranko was having a terrific season- the 2 new additions will seriously help – solid defenders and solid passers of the ball upfield
Salty