Top Stories

MLS Notes: Cascadia clubs get chippy, Valencia undergoes surgery and more

Camilo (Reuters Pictures)

The Cascadia Cup rivalry takes no games off, even in the preseason.

The Seattle Sounders and Vancouver Whitecaps dueled to a 1-1 draw in a 120-minute scrimmage in Casa Grande, Ariz., on Monday — a game that included nine cautions and a red card. The game was split into two 45-minute sessions and a 30-minute one, with each team using different lineups in each period to take advantage of their expanded lists of trialists and rostered players.

Recently re-signed Vancouver forward Camilo Sanvezzo kicked off the scoring in the opening minute, finishing off a pass from Atiba Harris. Second-year Sounders midfielder Servando Carrasco answered with the equalizer for the Sounders off a feed from David Estrada in the 48th minute to cap the scoring.

The real story was the intensity of the match, though. Jason Banton was sent off for the Sounders toward the end of the game, receiving the last of 10 cards issued during a battle that featured a number of harsh challenges, according to game reports. Harris, Argentine centerback Martin Bonjour and Michael Boxall were among those issued cautions for Vancouver, while recent U.S. January camp invitee Jeff Parke was among four Sounders who saw yellow.

Highlights of the match can be seen here.

Here are a few more items from around MLS:

VALENCIA UNDERGOES SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

Portland Timbers injured offseason signing Jose Adolfo Valencia underwent successful surgery to repair damaged cartilage in his left knee on Monday.

The 20-year-old forward was set to be a Young Designated Player for the Timbers this season, but he entered camp with a knee injury that necessitated the procedure. Portland reworked the agreement it had with Valencia's Colombian club, Santa Fe, so he won't count as a DP this season. He is expected to complete his rehabilitation under the guidance of Portland's team doctors, and his timetable for returning stands at anywhere between six and 12 months.

BORMAN SIGNING IN SOUTH AFRICA

The New England Revolution thought they were getting a potential answer to their left back problems by adding former New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC defender Danleigh Borman in the re-entry draft. Instead, Borman appears headed to another continent.

The left back is set to sign with SuperSport United according to reports out of South Africa, leaving the Revs with a bit of a quandary at the position.

With Borman out of the picture, the Revs have winger Chris Tierney and 19-year-old Generation adidas rookie Tyler Polak as potential left back options currently on the roster.

RIVAS STILL OUT FOR IMPACT

The Montreal Impact were counting on former Inter Milan centerback Nelson Rivas to be a big part of their back line, but the Colombian remains sidelined after suffering a thigh injury in a preseason scrimmage.

Rivas was hurt in an exhibition with Mexican club Atlas on Jan. 26 and hasn't seen the training field since.

The Impact have Bobby Burling, Shavar Thomas and No. 1 overall draft pick Andrew Wenger as centerback cover while Rivas remains on the mend. Wenger just recently joined Impact training camp, getting acclimated to his new club and teammates, but he is also a candidate to miss time at the beginning of the season due to potential U.S. Under-23 obligations. 

——————

What do you make of the Sounders-Whitecaps "friendly"? Think the Revs defense is in trouble, or can Tierney and Polak handle the left back load? Do you think the Impact has a deep enough centerback corps if Rivas can't go by the start of the season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. If their CB keeps puncture wounding peoples legs with his cleats they will reign supreme. But really, on paper anyways, VAN have a strongish back line.

    Reply
  2. The way I read it, he had scheduled all his classes for the beginning of the week and would be available for the weekends.

    Reply

Leave a Comment