Vancouver Whitecaps 2, Columbus Crew SC 2 | 2017 MLS Match Recap

Charles Boehm

On March 30 the Vancouver Whitecaps traded Kekuta Manneh to Columbus Crew SC in exchange for Tony Tchani and a package of allocation money. And on Saturday the trade came full circle for both teams and both players.

A motivated Manneh assisted on Ola Kamara's goal and scored a howitzer of his own for Crew SC. But just when it seemed he'd be the hero in a Columbus win, Tchani popped up at the near post to bundle home a dramatic injury-time equalizer for the Whitecaps.

Fredy Montero scored the opener for Vancouver, who remain in first place in the MLS Western Conference pending the weekend's other results.

Goals

15' – VAN – Fredy Montero Watch
19' – CLB – Ola Kamara Watch
19' – CLB – Kekuta Manneh Watch
90+2' – VAN – Tony Tchani Watch

Three Things

STAY CLASSY
: It's not everyone's cup of tea, but both Manneh and Tchani observed the traditional approach of not celebrating a goal against a former team. That custom was clearly a challenge for Tchani, given the late drama that his strike carried with it...but he remembered just in time:

Hilarious. Tchani was away to run off and celebrate and then remembered who he was playing against! #VANvCLB #VWFC
— AFTN (@aftncanada) September 17, 2017

A STATEMENT GAME...ALMOST: Crew SC were minutes away from an enormous road victory here, one that would've not only garnered three key points for their run towards the postseason, but also provided a timely mental boost for a team that has still only won three league road games this year. Still, that breakout performance from Manneh, who has struggled for form and fitness this season, may prove significant down the line.

LORDY, YORDY: 'Caps playmaker Yordy Reyna continues to be one of the most captivating attackers in MLS, creating endless danger both on and off the ball with his skill and movement. He carved out several good chances against Columbus and rang two of them off the woodwork. The game's story would be much different had one of them gone in.

Next Up

VAN: Saturday, Sept. 23 – vs. Colorado (10 pm ET | TSN1/4/5 in Canada, MLS LIVE in US)
CLB: Saturday, Sept. 23 – vs. New York Red Bulls (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE)

Charles Boehm -

@cboehm

Columbus Crew Vancouver Whitecaps FC