The game in 100 words (or less): The Vancouver Whitecaps got exactly the result they hoped to achieve in their first-leg meeting with the Montreal Impact of the first leg of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday night — kind of. In truth, the Whitecaps were angling for a 0-0 away result from the first whistle — so much so, in fact, that through first 45 minutes, that the visitors didn’t attempt a single shot in the champions series’ opening quarter of play. That same gameplan ensued well into the second half for the ‘Caps, until Darren Mattocks nabbed the unlikeliest of opening goals, following by a second from Pedro Morales. However, with two away goals already in tow, the ‘Caps were unable to kill the game off and retain their two-goal lead. Carl Robinson’s side would have snatched a draw out of your hand before the game began, but considering the varying game states along the way, a 2-2 draw will be thoroughly infuriating. The second leg will be played in two weeks’ time (Wednesday, August 26) at BC Place in Vancouver.
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Three moments that mattered
65′ — Mattocks’ delicate touch give the ‘Caps an unlikely lead — Kianz Froese broke down the left side for Vancouver, got to the endline and provided a really dangerous cross into the six-yard box of Montreal. Mattocks, not typically known for his feathery first touch, provided the most delicate of redirects and sent the ball just inside the far post for an unlikely 1-0 ‘Caps lead.
72′ — Morales embarrasses Kronberg with a near-post free kick — Pedro Morales is not someone for whom you want to leave an entire half of goal open and unmarked on a free kick. For some reason, Eric Kronberg did just that, and Morales curled a stunner and made him pay.
85′ — Jackson completes Montreal’s quick double-salvo — Laurent Ciman pulled one back through Laurent Ciman’s header of Marco Donadel’s corner kick. 22-year-old Anthony Jackson-Hamel grabbed an equalizer barely 60 seconds later.
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Man of the match: Marco Donadel
Goalscorers: Mattocks (65′), Morales (72′), Ciman (84′), Jackson-Hamel (85′)
