Whitecaps Claim Cascadia Cup in 1-0 Thriller (VIDEO)

Score goals, win matches. While there are often many different factors that go into whether or not a team is able to win a match, sometimes it is as simple as putting the ball in the back of the net. It is this last piece of the puzzle that the Vancouver Whitecaps have struggled with all season. But Friday night the club was able to turn it all around, defeating the Seattle Sounders 1-0 and claiming their fifth Cascadia Cup.

Although derbies can often be blown a bit out of proportion, the importance of this match was very real. Both sides are currently embroiled in difficult playoff races in the Western Conference and looked like squads who were bound and determined to get three points.

The atmosphere in the crowd matched the intensity on the pitch. An estimated 55,000 supporters attended the match, with both sides having a strong presence. Although Century Link Field in Seattle has been known to give the Sounders an advantage, the Whitecaps supporters helped boost their club during moments of need.

With an electric crowd and tons to play for, both sides went at one another from the early minutes. In just the 7th minute of the match, Whitecaps midfielder Erik Hiurtado nailed a free kick that just went over the bar giving those at the Gorilla FC section a small heart attack.

Although Vancouver had the early shot, it was Seattle that would look the most dangerous early on. Sounders coach Sigi Schmid seemed to want to attack Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert and defender Jordan Harvey, using Sounders midfielder Marco Pappa to open up the Whitecaps defense. His pass into Sounders forward Obafemi Martins found the Nigerian inside the box but was saved by Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted.

The Sounders would continue to pound Harvey and Teibert, but would be caught napping late in the first-half. On a counter-attack, Whitecaps midfielder Kekutah Manneh would spring past the Sounders defense and find himself with a clear-scoring opportunity. The Gambian international would not waste this opportunity and would bury his shot past a shocked Sebastian Frei in the 44th minute.

The goal was Manneh’s  fourth of the season and his first since May the third. Schmid and the Sounders players were visibly upset with the goal as Manneh had been injured just a few minutes earlier and there was some concern that he did not properly check in to the match. But the referee allowed for play to continue and the match stayed at 1-0.

At the start of the second half, Seattle looked desparate for a goal. They would have the best opportunities for large portions of the match with the Whitecaps opting to play more conservative. Sounders forward Chad Barrett hit a high header in the 51st minute that was certainly on target, but just wide of the goal.

The Sounders would be at it yet again in the 72nd minute when forward Clint Dempsey hit a low shot that was going for the lower right corner of the goal. But Ousted would be there yet again, making the diving save to preserve the lead.

A header by Barrett again in injury time would rouse the crowd at Century Link Field. However the substitutes opportunity would hit the post and end the Sounders threat. In general, the Whitecaps back four would limit the potent Sounders attack to shots off of set pieces and long-range opportunities making life much easier for Ousted.

With the win, the Whitecaps (11-8-13, 56 points) move back into the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. The ‘Caps will next play on Saturday as they will travel to Buck Shaw Stadium and take on the San Jose Earthquakes.

Friday’s loss put a momentary damper on the Sounders chances for winning the Supporters Shield. Although the Los Angeles Galaxy’s loss put them back in first place in the Western Conference, Seattle have a “home and home” series starting next with LA. That should prove critical in determining this year’s top seed.