The Vancouver Whitecaps had to split the points after a goalless draw against Toronto FC under wet and cold conditions.
Best described as a grinding sort of match, the Whitecaps edged out the home side with quality chances but had to settle for a clean sheet from goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sørensen called the weather conditions “difficult for both teams” but did not see it as a factor in the match.
“I don’t think it was particularly on us to fight the weather,” he said. “We play a game where we have control of the game most of the time, but are not able to score and not able to create the chances that we should have, considering how we go up to good positions.”
The Whitecaps were still without their captain, Ryan Gauld. But with Ali Ahmed back from international duty with Canada, he slotted in seamlessly with Brian White and Jayden Nelson up top.
The continued recovery of Sam Adekugbe also meant the young American fullback, Tate Johnson, was granted another start.
After initial early pressure from Toronto, the Whitecaps took control of the match in their possession-based play. Building up through either side, Vancouver’s high and aggressive press caused Toronto problems in their own end and gave the visitors a couple of decent chances off set plays.
White’s header from a corner in the 11th minute was the first big opportunity of the match. Sean Johnson was beaten; however, a Toronto defender saved it off the line.
Toronto found a couple of opportunities on their right flank as Federico Bernardeschi cut into the 18-yard box around Johnson. But there was little else he could do without support.
The second half played out much the same way as the first. Toronto managed a late-game push, testing Yohei Takaoka in the 82nd minute, but the Whitecaps’ goalkeeper made a fine reaction save to keep it level.
Johnson had to make a similar save on Ranko Veselinović as the clock ticked into stoppage time. The centre-back was dangerous in the second phase of a corner but could not beat the goalkeeper.
Toronto would walk away the happier of the two teams, having doubled their points on the season with the draw.
Set pieces abound
The Whitecaps had 12 corners throughout the match compared to Toronto’s three. They dominate MLS in corner opportunities so far in the season with 48, the most in the league.
“Twelve corners is, of course, also has a story about where the game was played,” Sørensen said. “I think that we’ve done reasonably well from our set pieces so far, creating the threat from these kinds of situations that we should.”
Sorensen mentioned that while the abundance of corners showed they played the game in Toronto’s half, it also suggested that a final pass in the preceding play may be missing.
Back to midweek matches
Both Andrés Cubas and Mathías Laborda left the match early. Cubas looked to be under some distress as he was substituted.
“I need to get an overview of Andrés and Mathías,” Sørensen said when asked about their status. “I don’t know yet, but I think it’ll be difficult for both of them to play Wednesday [against Pumas].”
The CONCACAF Champions Cup is next up for the Whitecaps, where they will face Mexican club Pumas in the quarter-finals.
The match will take place on April 2 at BC Place. Kickoff is at 6:30 p.m.
