The runners up in the FA Cup final Crystal Palace of the English Premier League paid a visit to Vancouver to play a “friendly” against the Vancouver Whitecaps in front of 14,788 impressed fans that saw the clubs play to a 2-2 draw.
Crystal Palace definitely had the better scoring chances with Andros Townsend forcing the Caps defense to play a more aggressive style match, something some might not have seen in the past.
Whitecaps “keeper” Paolo Tornaghi turned away several shots he faced, while other chances came off the boots of Jason Puncheon and Damien Delaney of Crystal Palace.
Vancouver did manage a direct shot on goal, but being hospitable to the visitors from Crystal Palace the Caps gave them a 8-5 edge the shot department.
Whitecap’s FC2 call-up Ben McKendry was one of four players from the USL team managed to get in some quality time on the pitch, while Christian Techera had the Caps other chance managing to drive the ball over the bar in the opening half.
The second half both clubs were allowed to make several substitution changes allowed giving players additional playing time.
The second half was much more entertaining with the game opening up in speed and chances for both clubs.
Vancouver opened the scoring as newcomer David Edgar scoring in the 50th minute off a set play from Techera and FC 2 players Marco Busto.
This allowed the cross pass to get into the box finding Edgar’s head sending it past Julian Speroni giving the Cap’s a 1 nil lead they hoped to get and keep.
Crystal Palace entertained the on-lookers and showed why they were runners up in the FA Cup final last year scoring twice in a span of 4 minutes.
The equalizer was off the boot off sub Frazier Campbell who came off the bench to start the second half his first of two excellent set pieces in the 62nd minute set up on a free kick by Andros Townsend to even the game at 1-1.
They took the lead in the 66th minute with Campbell banging home his second of the match on a excellent give and go with sub Connor Wickham giving Crystal Place a 2-1 lead over the Whitecaps.
Vancouver and Crystal Palace were permitted to make a number of subs allowing other players some quality playing time in the friendly.
These Included four (4) players from Vancouver’s FC2 team of the USL team that included centre back Sem De Wit, left back Brett Levis and strikers Kyle Grieg and Daniel Haber from the FC2 of the USL team.
One “sub” that showed an immediate impact was 15 year-old Alphonso Davies who has exceptional talent and being brought along slowly by “Robinson”.
The Whitecaps got the equalizer late in the game from defender Kendall Watson on a great set-up from FC2 player Brett Levis and Christian Bolanos hammering home a header past Julian Speroni of Palace to tie the game at 2-2.
Both clubs traded scoring chances but were unable to break the deadlock, with the “Friendly” ending in an entertaining 2-2 draw.
On a side note it’s interesting to hear how the “boy’s” spent their time in Vancouver and I am told the following.
While in Vancouver Andros Townsend and “mates” managed a trip to EA Sports headquarters to play the newly marketed FIFA 17 video game.
They (Eagles) are currently in North America for the final match of their pre-season tour before returning home to finish up their preparations for the new Premier League campaign.
The Whitecaps hit the road for four games having them play in Houston (July 23rd), FC Dallas (July 31st,) Central FC (August 2nd) and Colorado August 6th.
The Caps return home to face off against San Jose Earthquake August 12th at 8pm.
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