VANCOUVER, B.C. – There was no set penalty taker in place for the Vancouver Whitecaps. But when Camilo went down in the 61st minute under a challenge from Sam Cronin, Barry Robson left no doubt: he was the only man in the building who’d take the kick.
“I kind of sneaked up and grabbed the ball,” Robson said following the match. “I’ve took penalties wherever I’ve been. I just wanted to take it and it was there for me, and I hope the boys don’t mind.
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The Scotsman lashed home the game winner in Vancouver’s 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes from the spot. But it only happened after he appeared to have a debate with Camilo, who clearly wanted to convert the penalty he’d generated.
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“Usually we do put it up on the board and make sure that they know,” head coach Martin Rennie said. “But we’ve never had a penalty so it got to the point that we were debating it a bit and not putting it out there.”
The penalty was the first earned by the club in MLS this season, and means Robson now has goals in back to back matches following his headed effort against the LA Galaxy in midweek.
“Barry Robson wasn’t going to give the ball away I don’t think once he got it,” Rennie said. “It’s nice for him to come in and score two goals in two games at home. It helps him settle and lets the fans see just how good a player he is.”
The match also featured the debut of new Designated Player Kenny Miller, who stepped onto the field in the 78th minute and had a great chance to score just seconds later, only to take a heavy touch when it looked as if he was in alone on Jon Busch.
“I should have had one,” Miller said. “That pitch is a bit different for me. It just kind of held up and caught the top of my left thigh just before I was looking to strike it. But it’s a great result for the team. I’m just happy to get 15 minutes under my belt and I hope, in a couple of games, when I’m a little bit fitter, I’ll put these chances away.”
Martin MacMahon covers the Vancouver Whitecaps for MLSsoccer.com.
