A late equaliser from Brian White on his return from injury saw Vancouver Whitecaps snatch a dramatic 1-1 draw with Portland Timbers in a crucial clash at the top of the MLS standings.

Portland started the game on top as they tormented the Whitecaps’ makeshift backline, but a string of saves from Yohei Takaoka kept his team in the game. However, his heroics were in vain, as Kamal Miller opened the scoring with a phenomenal strike from range.

The Whitecaps improved in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser, with Emmanuel Sabbi and Sebastian Berhalter getting close. However, in the 88^th minute Brian White diverted home Mathias Laborda’s flick on to finally even the score.

So it is two points dropped in the Supporters’ Shield race, but Vancouver have also gained one which may prove vital when looking at the final standings. With that said, let’s dive into the player ratings!

Yohei Takaoka – 8

After the commotion of the availability crisis, the onus was always going to be on Takaoka to deliver a stellar performance, and he produced a string of solid stops and commanded his area well at the start of the game in a display that kept his side in the match for long period.

There was nothing which he could have done to prevent the wonder strike from Kamal Miller that fired Portland into the lead, and apart from that he led his inexperienced backline well and was critical as his side secured a point.

Tate Johnson – 6.5

Despite his team being under the cosh for most of the first half, Tate didn’t have too much work to do as the attack was predominantly on the other side of the pitch. Still, he looked composed when he had to do his defending, while his linkup play with Ali Ahmed and Kenji Cabrera in the second half saw him offer an attacking spark.

Mathias Laborda – 7.5

It’s a case of another game, another Mathias Laborda contribution from a set piece, as after numerous missed opportunities, the Uruguayan finally got his assist when he magnificently flicked Berhalter’s delivery into the path of Brian White.

Beyond that, Laborda produced another critical display of leadership at the heart of defence to keep his young colleagues composed. He led by example by having the most defensive contributions of any player in a Whitecaps shirt, while his communication was pivotal to ensuring Vancouver were only one down at the break.

Belal Halbouni – 6.5

It was a disappointing night for Halbouni, as the centre back was left exposed for pace a few times in the first half, with Portland often able to bear down on goal from his side.

However, like his contributions over the season, he grew into the game, and even proved influential as he ended the match having completed the most passes of any player on the pitch. He did give the Whitecaps supporters a scare when a collision left him down for a few minutes early in the game, but fortunately he was able to continue.

Guiseppe Bovalina – 5

Having been thrust into the limelight following Ocampo’s suspension for yellow card accumulation, Bovalina did not look comfortable at right back on his second MLS start of the season.

The Australian was torn apart by Portland in the opening 45, as time and again the Timbers found themselves through on goal down the Whitecaps’ right, and only a string of solid saves from Takaoka prevented Vancouver from being further behind.

He improved with the rest of the team in the second half as the Whitecaps pushed forward looking for an equaliser.

Sebastian Berhalter – 8

Perhaps understandably given the absence of Andres Cubas alongside him, Berhalter was less able to get on the ball and influence proceedings than he has at times this season.

That didn’t prevent him from having a decisive say in this game. A captain’s performance in the second half saw him drag his side up the pitch, while yet another sensational set piece delivery (I mean at this point I give up using a thesaurus to find words to describe them) saw him put the ball on a plate for Brian White to equalise.

Ralph Priso – 5.5

In some games this season, Priso has impressed when deputising for Andres Cubas. However, he was unable to do so in this encounter, and it was a disappointing night for the Canadian.

He struggled to gain any control of proceedings in the middle of the park, meaning his side were faltering when in possession, while he was dispossessed three times and was unable to regain the ball.

Jayden Nelson – 6

Nelson looked lively at times throughout the first half, as he bid to repeat the heroics that tore the Timbers apart on the opening game of the season.

However, he was unable to have the same impact as that game at Providence Park. Although he looked lively at times, he lacked end product and didn’t cause too many issues for the Portland defence. This saw him hooked at half time, with Sørensen opting for Ali Ahmed as he sought to get his side back in the game.

Kenji Cabrera – 7

Buoyed by the celebrations of bagging his first MLS goal in Kansas, Cabrera impressed yet again from his role which saw him starting in the middle of the field and drifting wide. The Peruvian combined well with Ali Ahmed, regularly finding himself with a pocket of space out wide. Unfortunately, despite the space his end product was lacking, leaving him unable to capitalise.

The attacker left the field injured with about 10 minutes remaining, and based on the reaction from Berhalter, this may be another problematic injury. Hopefully this issue is not a serious one and Cabrera can return to action shortly.

Emmanuel Sabbi – 7

It was a different style performance from Emmanuel Sabbi to the ones that we have become accustomed to over the course of the season, as without Ocampo on the overlap there were times he looked to be beaten when the ball came his way.

However, in the second half his driving style was critical for dragging the Whitecaps up the pitch. He won three yellow cards for being cynically brought down when on a dynamic break.

Rayan Elloumi – 6

It was a quiet night for the teenager on his first MLS start, as he struggled to get himself fully involved with proceedings in front of goal.

However, he impressed with his work rate and ability to play with his back to goal there as the forward showed glimpses of his potential. He was replaced on the hour mark by Brian White, who was making his return from injury, but we will definitely see more from Elloumi in future games.

Substitutes

Having entered the fray at half time, Ahmed came onto the pitch looking to claw his team back in the game. The winger definitely made a difference, as his link-up play with Kenji Cabrera created a plethora of chances for his team.

Meanwhile, Brian White made a welcome return to the pitch after suffering an injury against St. Louis City, while Jeevan Badwal also came on, replacing Ralph Priso in the heart of midfield. Both players helped the Whitecaps to establish control of the game, while White did what he does best and scored the late equaliser to hand his team a well deserved draw.

Daniel Rios and J.C. Ngando were introduced to the fray late into proceedings, and they contributed well by helping to build the pressure that forced the equaliser.

It is important to consider this game in context. With Vancouver’s extensive absentee list, it was always going to be a tough game, and although dropping ground in the Supporters Shield race is always disappointing, with the late equaliser this should be considered a point gained rather than two dropped.

There is no rest for the wicked, as Vancouver must immediately forget about this result and move on to their next Cascadian Cup clash, as they make the short trip across the border to Seattle on Saturday in a critical game against the Sounders in the battle to secure a high seed for the playoffs.