It was a match for the neutrals as the Vancouver Whitecaps drew 3-3 with DC United in a back-and-forth affair.
Goals from Brian White, Bruno Caicedo and Thomas Müller for the Whitecaps were muted by a solid brace from Kimito Nono.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen was critical of the match, pointing to set plays in particular.
“We started slow,” he said. “I think we were not taking the initiative as we should in the beginning. Then we got going after the goal. We created some good opportunities, and some good moments. But I think we were playing very hectic and a bit too fast [of a] game.”
Early Whitecaps pressure was squandered as DC United scored in the 16th minute.
Keisuke Kurokawa chested down a ball near the far post that went over everyone in the box from a set piece. He quickly played it to Kimito Nono, who was central in the 6-yard box.
Nono’s initial shot was blocked by Mathías Laborda, but the United player pounced on the rebound for the opening goal.
But the lead did not last long as White added to his team-leading tally in the 25th minute.
Caicedo’s low cross from the left was redirected by Emmanuel Sabbi for White. The American striker’s first shot was saved, but not the second.
It was White’s 17th goal of the MLS regular season, beating his previous regular-season goalscoring record by one.
The Whitecaps continued to push to the halftime whistle and were rewarded with the go-ahead goal in first-half stoppage time.
Caicedo’s 1-2 passing with Thomas Müller opened space on the left for the pacey winger. His shot was low and controlled into the bottom far corner, beyond the reach of DC keeper Sean Johnson.
Lucas Bartlett tied it up for DC United in the 65th minute. Another defensive lapse for the Whitecaps on a corner, Bartlett rose high over everyone to head the ball in past Yohei Takaoka.
The Whitecaps retook the lead in the 72nd minute with a brilliant solo effort by Müller. The German got the ball from Aleska Cvetković and carried it from midfield to the top of the 18-yard box. The shot was laser-sighted into the bottom far corner.
It was Müller’s 10th goal of the MLS season.
But it was short-lived as Nono got his second of the night on a well-executed one-timed volley in the 80th minute. Hosei Kijima found the DC attacker with a long cross.
The remaining ten minutes solved nothing, leaving both clubs with a point apiece.
Corners hurt the Whitecaps
For the diminished possession DC United had (37 per cent), they had numerous set plays to take advantage of. The first two goals for the visitors came from corners.
The Whitecaps gave up 10 corners and 20 throw-ins.
“We conceded a lot of set plays,” Sørensen said. “They got throw-ins, corner kicks. I cannot remember when we’ve given up 10 corner kicks in a game.”
Sørensen said DC United were very good with their opportunities. He argued that his team are usually good at limiting their opponent’s chances on set plays and called this match uncharacteristic.
Up next
The Whitecaps have 10 days until their next match on October 6, when they play Chicago Fire away from home.
Kickoff is at 5:30 p.m.
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