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A Tale of Two Halves: Whitecaps take first leg of Canadian Championship semifinal

By Gareth Wolff

May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Nicolas Mezquida (11) celebrates his goal with midfielder Alphonso Davies (67) against Montreal Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (40) (not pictured) during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Nicolas Mezquida (11) celebrates his goal with midfielder Alphonso Davies (67) against Montreal Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau (40) (not pictured) during the first half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Vancouver Whitecaps FC have the upper hand after the first leg of their Canadian Championship matchup with the Montreal Impact on Tuesday night at BC Place. Alphonso Davies scored and assisted, and Spencer Richey saved a penalty, as the Whitecaps won 2-1.

The Vancouver Whitecaps will be the happier of the two sides after the first leg of their Canadian Championship semifinal against the Montreal Impact, but they came close to disaster. After a dominant first half performance, the Whitecaps were forced to hang on for their lives in the second half. In the end, Vancouver still have plenty to do next week as they take a 2-1 lead to Montreal.

First Half: The Alphonso Davies Show

Apparently it’s all-or-nothing for Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson when it comes to team selection. After picking the same starting XI five times in a row, Robinson opted for a completely fresh lineup.

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In came Russell Teibert, Marcel de Jong, and Ben McKendry to fulfill the quota of three Canadians. And after starting on the bench for the last month, Alphonso Davies got the chance to start.

It was a chance Davies took full advantage of. First, he got on the end of a loose ball in the box and calmly slid it past Maxime Crepeau’s rush and into the net for the opening goal. Then, he turned provider, dribbling into the box and setting up Nicolás Mezquida to make it 2-0.

Second Half: The Spencer Richey Show

The going got a lot tougher for the Whitecaps in the second half. They abandoned their earlier game plan and instead tried to defend deep and hit Montreal on the break. However, without the commanding aerial presences of Kendall Waston and Tim Parker, the ‘Caps struggled to clear their lines effectively.

David Choiniere pulled one back for the visitors just after the hour mark. Montreal should have equalized at some point over the remaining half hour of the match, but were prevented by poor finishing and an outstanding performance from backup goalkeeper Spencer Richey.

Richey made several good saves, but the most memorable came after Cole Seiler gave away a penalty kick. Richey dived to his right and tipped Patrice Bernier’s shot around the post.

Somehow, the Whitecaps held on, and have a lead to defend next Tuesday at Stade Saputo.

May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate a save by Vancouver Whitecaps goaltender Spencer Richey (18) after a penalty kick by the Montreal Impact during the second half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports
May 23, 2017; Vancouver, BC, Canada; The Vancouver Whitecaps celebrate a save by Vancouver Whitecaps goaltender Spencer Richey (18) after a penalty kick by the Montreal Impact during the second half at BC Place. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Three Takeaways:

  • Return of three at the back. It was Robinson’s second time this season trying out a formation with three at the back. Last time was the 3-0 loss in the snow to RSL. The defence looked far more solid this time, likely because of the inclusion of Cole Seiler and Sem de Wit who are used to playing in a back three with Whitecaps FC 2. Marcel de Jong, on the other hand, seemed to go missing constantly. The jury is still out on this formation.
  • Nerwinski shows promise. Any illusions that rookie Jake Nerwinski might have had about taking the starting right back spot for the Whitecaps have been spoilt by Sheanon Williams who has been excellent this season. But Nerwinski again showed what the ‘Caps saw to make him their first round draft pick. He took advantage of the extra protection afforded by the three centre backs behind him to get forward at will, and created some good chances as a result. With Williams and Nerwinski, right back is a problem position no more.

    • All to play for.

    Vancouver took the win on Tuesday night, but the semifinal is far from over thanks to Choiniere’s away goal. All the Impact need is a 1-0 win next week and they’ll be heading to the final. Tempting though it will be for Robinson to park the bus and play for a 0-0 draw, it’s a dangerous game if the ‘Caps can’t muster their own away goal.

    Next: Techera and Parker on target as Whitecaps defeat SKC

    Will Richey’s penalty save prove pivotal, or will it be Montreal’s away goal that makes the difference? Leave your comments below.

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