The Vancouver Whitecaps are feeling the heat in the Western Conference playoff race, and a recent winless skid made Sunday's match against the Colorado Rapids a vital one for their playoff hopes.
A pair of second-half goals by Alain Rochat and Kenny Miller gave the Whitecaps control, and erased a first-half strike from Omar Cummings, but Jamie Smith spoiled the party at BC Place when he powered through the Whitecaps defense and unleashed an equalizer in te 86th minute to help the Rapids earn a 2-2 draw in Canada.
The result snapped Vancouver's five-match losing streak, but the draw was a tough blow to Vancouver's playoff hopes. It now brings FC Dallas that much closer to catching the Whitecaps for the fifth and final playoff spot in the West. Dallas is two points behind Vancouver with four matches remaining.
Colorado snapped a nine-match road losing streak with the draw, but the Rapids faint playoff hopes could be best described as the longest of long shots, with four straight wins and matching losing streaks by Vancouver and Dallas being the only way the 2010 MLS Cup champions reach the post-season.
The Rapids looked primed for an upset victory when Cummings opened the scoring in the 34th minute, but Vancouver rallied in the second half with goals four minutes apart. Koffie set up Rochat's equalizer before Barry Robson set up fellow Scot Miller to give Vancouver the 2-1 lead.
The Whitecaps looked like they would hold on until Smith out-hustled the Vancouver defense and blasted a perfect shot past Brad Knighton for the equalizer.
Here are the match highlights:
What did you think of the match? See the Whitecaps turning things around and keeping their playoff place? Think the Rapids can pull off a miracle run and reach the post-season?
Share your thoughts below.
Salgado’s still injured.
The Whitecaps have looked progressively worse as the got rid of Hassli, Chiumiento and brought in the likes of Robson and Miller. It’s almost embarrassing for them and Rennie. Yes Robson and Miller linked up on one nice goal last night but the number of times Robson lost the ball is bush league. One good play doesnt make up for sucking the whole night unless it always wins the game. Which they obviously havent. Robson is too slow, too one diminsional for this league and Miller is too average to be a DP. Both Hassli and Chiemiento had special qualities not to mention the fact that Rennie has better players sitting on his bench. Has anybody here seen Salgado, Nanchoff of Tiebert?