The Vancouver Whitecaps FC squeaked past Club Deportivo Olimpia 1-0 on Wednesday night at BC Palace. The Caps are now just three points away from clinching their spot into the next round in the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL).
The Whitecaps started the game with a sense of urgency to get their first victory in franchise history in the CCL. However, it was not until the first half ended when Vancouver broke through. Caps’ forward Darren Mattocks ran into the heart of the penalty box with the ball, when Olimpia’s goalie Noel Valladares blocked his path.
Mattocks lost control of the ball and fellow midfielder Kianz Froese followed the play. Froese then chipped the ball into the net to make it 1-0 at the 42nd minute to give the home team the lead. However, after jumping ahead the Caps failed to build on their lead. At the start of the final 45 minutes, the Canadians had a golden chance to double their lead. Whitecaps forward Nicolás Mezquida received in the ball in the box, he failed to control the ball and blasted the shot harmlessly over the crossbar.
As the second half carried on the Canadians offense slowly began to fade away. They had produced nine shots but only managed to get two of their chances on target. As for Los Leones they began to attack more with the ending of the game approaching fast. Olimpia launched 12 shots, and fired two of their three shots that hit the target near the ending of the match. However, Vancouver’s backup goalie Paolo Tornaghi smothered both of the powerful shots. Even Olimpia's midfielder Michaell Chirinos close range low shot, Tornaghi still stopped it without even showing any concern. His and the defense confidence grew and the Central Americans frustration went off the charts, as the match solely became a physical contest between the two sides.
However, the game became more of a defensive struggle between the two clubs. The Caps and Los Leones combined for: 55 clearances, 23 tackles and fouls. The two midfields were locked in a battle for possession which the Whitecaps barely prevailed by 9.4 percent. The Caps lone goal in the first half proved to be enough as they won the physical contest 1-0.
Now the Whitecaps hit the road for their next match in the CCL. They will be facing Cascadia rivals, the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday at the CenturyLink Field. If Vancouver defeats their bitter rivals next week, they will qualify to the next round.
As for Olimpia, their final match of the group stages will be against the Whitecaps on Oct. 22nd at home. If the Caps defeat Seattle next Wednesday then that match will be just for pride for Los Leones, since they will be eliminated from the tournament. However, if Vancouver does not beat the Sounders then that final game at the Estadio Nacional will be the showdown for the winner of group F.