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CONCACAF Champions League Takeaways: Red Bulls vs. Whitecaps

By Gareth Wolff

Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 22, 2017; Harrison, NJ, USA; Vancouver Whitecaps forward Kekuta Manneh (23) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Three Takeaways

  1. Away goals equal advantage: Nobody knows this better than the Whitecaps, who lost the Canadian Championship final on away goals last year. There is still work to do in Vancouver, but by avoiding defeat and scoring an away goal the Whitecaps have the slightest of advantages going into the second leg.
  2. Wright-Phillips still has it: Last season’s top scorer should never have been given that much time and space in the Whitecaps box. But his finish was deadly. Kljestan’s penalty kick, on the other hand…
  3. The importance of Manneh: The Whitecaps look like a different team with Kekuta Manneh in the side. Considering how many other injuries they have suffered recently in that area of the field (Yordy Reyna, Christian Bolaños, Nicolás Mezquida), ‘Caps fans will hope Manneh has put the injury curse behind him. So will U.S. fans, as Manneh is now eligible to play for the U.S. men’s national team.

Next Week

The second leg will take place next Thursday, March 2nd at BC Place. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm PT (10 pm ET). The Whitecaps will advance to the semifinals with a win or a goalless draw. The Red Bulls need a win or a 2-2 draw or higher. A 1-1 draw would mean extra time and a possible penalty shootout.

Match Details

Final Score: New York Red Bulls 1-1 Vancouver Whitecaps

New York Red Bulls: Luis Robles; Sal Zizzo, Aurelien Collin, Aaron Long, Justin Bilyeu; Felipe, Sean Davis, Sacha Kljestan, Danny Royer (Derrick Etienne Jr 74); Gonzalo Veron, Bradley Wright-Phillips (Mike Grella 87).

Vancouver Whitecaps: David Ousted; Jake Nerwinski (Sheanon Williams 76), Kendall Waston, Tim Parker, Jordan Harvey; Matias Laba, Russell Teibert, Cristian Techera, Kekuta Manneh (Kyle Greig 80), Alphonso Davies; Erik Hurtado (Giles Barnes 63).

Goals: 1-0 Kekuta Manneh (39); 1-1 Bradley Wright-Phillips (62).

Next: USMNT: CONCACAF U-20s Recap and Takeaways vs. Haiti

Can the Whitecaps make the away goal count or will the Red Bulls do the job in Vancouver? Leave us your comments below.

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