As the Vancouver Whitecaps leave California with a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy suffered Saturday evening, they’ll be upset not to walk away with at least a point.
While the Galaxy was largely the better side on the night, when it came to incision, the Whitecaps actually generated at least two quality chances in the first half which might have been goals had a goalkeeper lesser than Jaime Penedo been between the sticks.
But Penedo was there, and he denied Kekuta Manneh twice with excellent positioning and elite reflexes.
It’s easy to get upset with a team that loses any game, but the reality is that playing the Galaxy away from home is a gargantuan task for any MLS side to deal with. One would imagine most observers would feel the Whitecaps put in a good showing against one of the league’s best outfits despite the narrow loss.
However, it’s worth looking at what should be improved on going into next weekend as the Whitecaps host the Galaxy at BC Place.
Morales’ health
This was the second match in a row in which Pedro Morales didn’t look particularly effective. The Chilean has struggled on the road generally, but this week he also missed out on some training due to “maintenance.” The player has told reporters he has a chronic back issue which is aggravated by the constant switching from artificial turf to grass, although coach Carl Robinson said the player was hampered by another issue.
On Saturday, that issue seemed to be a hamstring complaint, as the midfielder looked to be clutching at his leg slightly as he came off for the final 20 minutes of play. Morales is Vancouver’s best player and the club needs to find a way to get him healthy.
Finishing
Peneda had an excellent game in the Galaxy goal, so it’s difficult to be too critical of Vancouver’s attackers. But in a match like this, taking the few chances you do get as a visiting team is crucial. The Whitecaps didn’t do that, and that’s why they suffered their first road loss of the campaign.
Defensive focus
For the majority of this match, the Whitecaps were positionally sound on the defensive side, and worked hard. The pairing of Russell Teibert and Gershon Koffie shielded the back four admirably in the absence of Matias Laba, and the backline was as steady as ever.
But on the goal, the defensive group lost focus, as a fairly basic ball in behind quickly turned into a tap-in due to an excellent play by Stefan Ishizaki, and a lack of concentration on the part of the Whitecaps.
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Still, despite the result, there were positives.
Tactical bravery
It didn’t go entirely to plan for Robinson, but we got a sense of what he can do at this stage of his early managerial career, as he felt comfortable leaving out two established veterans in Kenny Miller and Nigel Reo-Coker for a match both players surely wanted to take part in.
Had Penedo not been in the Galaxy goal, the plan could have paid dividends, as the move to play both Darren Mattocks and Kekuta Manneh in attacking positions seemed to catch the home side out on several occasions.
Manneh fit, dangerous
There has been some doubt about Manneh’s ability to start matches given his ongoing back problem, but on Saturday he showed he can play from the opening whistle and be an option from the start.
He was Vancouver’s biggest threat in this match, and would likely have had at least one goal had Penedo not come up with two outstanding saves.
The player will need a run of games to prove both his fitness and quality, but this was an impressive showing against one of the league’s best teams.
Teibert active
Russell Teibert claimed the sponsor’s man of the match award on the Vancouver broadcast and with good reason. The Niagara Falls native did much of the dirty work in Laba’s absence by running back to break up counter attacks, and by constantly harrying Galaxy attackers.
Additionally, he was the club’s best link between the backline and midfield, and showed for the ball consistently—not something that could be said for all of Vancouver’s midfielders on the day.
Martin MacMahon is a Vancouver-based writer. Follow him on Twitter.