The Vancouver Whitecaps won their second of three home games with a 1 nil victory over the visiting Colorado Rapids in front of 19,166 fans moving them into third place in the Western Conference.
Moving them six (6) points up on Colorado in the standings. Keeper Joe Cannon was outstanding with 6 saves for his seventh shutout of the season; which ranks him among the leaders in the MLS.
The lone goal was scored in the 80th minute by striker Sebastian Le Toux allowing the club to improve its record to 7-4-5 on the season.
Both clubs put on a great match which featured chances at both ends of the pitch to which clearly had better chances in the early part of the match.
Defender Lee Young-Pyo almost gave them a early lead sending a blast toward Rapids keeper Matt Pickens and was followed up by Darren Mattocks hammering one inches over the crossbar.
Colorado finally got on their game creating chances of their own as strikers Tony Cascio and Edu missed seeing Joe Cannon make back to back stops on the Rapids forwards.
The teams took the scoreless draw to the dressing rooms at the half to the sheer delight from the supporters showing there appreciation of their efforts of both clubs.
The second half was much of the same as they played a creative game of entertaining soccer Gershon Koffie had a great chance early to give the Caps the lead only to have it foiled and deflected over the bar by Matt Pickens of the Rapids
Colorado’s Jamie Castrillon sent a blast from 25 yards out, seeing Joe Cannon make a huge stop keeping the game scoreless.
In the 60th the game took a swing in favour of the Rapids as Darren Mattocks was cautioned twice within a minute with two yellow cards resulting in him being ejected from the game with an eventual red card.
This left Vancouver with ten men for the remaining part of the match. Vancouver with-stood the attack and the back four played outstanding and goalkeeper Joe Cannon came up with huge saves.
Vancouver got numerous chances; however and John Thorrington’s blast was snared by Rapids keeper Matt Pickens.
The 80th minute saw an outstanding cross by Gershon Koffie deflect into the penalty area of the Rapids, which saw Sebastian Le Toux hammer it past Pickens.
Give the Caps a 1-0 lead, but the never-say-die team from the mile-high state carried the play in the last ten minutes. the Cap’s “D” did a great job of defending the one goal lead seeing the Rapids hit the crossbar and as well as the post twice; with Joe Cannon’s best friend being his “D”.
They played a additional three minutes, but the Cap’s held the 1 nil lead giving them the victory, which turned out to be their 7th of the year.
Joe Cannon was named the man of the match for Vancouver for his shutout effort preserving the win.
