MLS Canadian Roundup: Count Your Losses

The road was not kind to Canadian MLS teams this weekend. Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC were both in Saturday night MLS play and both sides suffered tremendous losses.

Toronto FC failed to find the back of the net while conceding three times to the New York Red Bulls. The Vancouver Whitecaps, on the other hand, scored three times, but couldn’t ward off a Sporting Kansas City comeback. The Montreal Impact had this week off to rest.

Toronto FC 0-3 New York Red Bulls 

Toronto FC walked into Red Bull Arena with a daunting task ahead. Prior to Saturday’s contest, the Red Bulls were undefeated at Red Bull Arena all-time against Toronto FC, with five wins and a draw. The Red Bulls also outscored Toronto 17-4 at home in that span.

History seemed to repeat itself on Saturday night as Toronto FC fell 3-0 to the New York Red Bulls. Toronto’s defence couldn’t seem to mend its previous struggles and was no match for the Red Bulls’ offensive prowess.

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Both sides tussled back and forth aggressively in the opening ten minutes of the match as they exchanged pushes and words. That frustration later translated into goals for one side and despair for the other.

Red Bulls striker Bradley Wright-Phillips opened the scoring in the 27th minute off a great chip feed from forward Mike Grella. Wright-Phillips has been money for New York as of late, scoring six times in his last eight matches.

The Red Bulls continued their offensive display in the 65th minute with a well-placed goal from defender Anthony Wallace. Red Bulls midfielder Gonzalo Veron would also come off the bench to score his first MLS goal in the 93rd minute in just his second MLS appearance. Slotting a rebound into the net, that goal made it 3-0 and was the final blow to Toronto FC.

For more in-depth coverage of this game from MLS Multiplex, click here.

Toronto FC return home to face Canadian Cyle Larin and Orlando City SC next Saturday at BMO Field.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC 3-4 Sporting Kansas City

This match was not shy of goals as both sides played a very exciting back-and-forth affair with Sporting Kansas City picking up a late winner to stun the ‘Caps at Sporting Park.

The Whitecaps opened the scoring just nine minutes into the match as Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh took advantage of a giveaway from Sporting Kansas City and put a low drive into the net.

Manneh would strike again in the 41st minute off a brilliant cross from defender Steven Beitashour. Manneh sent a header over Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Tim Melia to collect his second goal of the night and earn a brace.

The ‘Caps had a comfortable two-goal lead going into the half, but Sporting Kansas City were quick to respond in the 53rd minute with a goal from defender Kevin Ellis. Ellis brought his side back into the match with a great diving header.

In the 75th minute, Whitecaps captain Pedro Morales had an absolutely clinical finish from outside the penalty area on a free kick. Sporting Kansas City midfielder Paulo Nagamura was called for a handball and Morales curled the ball masterfully into the left corner with a rocket strike to make it 3-1 for Vancouver.

However, the two-goal cushion didn’t last long. Six minutes later, Kansas City forward Dom Dwyer would finish off a cross from forward Krisztian Nemeth with a header of his own towards the far post to cut the lead to one.

Six more minutes later, Nagamura would avenge his earlier blunder by running onto a Chance Myers ball and striking it behind Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted and into the net for a late equalizer.

Sporting Kansas City decided a draw wasn’t satisfying enough and four minutes into stoppage time, Nagamura would play hero again as he sent a lobbing cross from midfielder Soni Mustivar into the net with a header. And that was all she wrote as Sporting Kansas City upset the Whitecaps with a remarkable come-from-behind victory.

The Whitecaps now sit second in the Western Conference standings. However, the team has a game in hand over the first-place Los Angeles Galaxy.

The Whitecaps will have to regroup as their busy August continues when they host Canadian Tesho Akindele and FC Dallas at BC Place on Aug. 22.

Montreal Impact – Idle

The Montreal Impact did not play this weekend as the resting team prepares to battle the Philadelphia Union at Saputo Stadium on Aug. 22.

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