Vancouver Whitecaps bounced back from the disappointment of Saturday's home loss to Chivas USA with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Toronto FC on Wednesday evening.
A road point is always welcome, especially coming against one of the in-form teams in MLS, but Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson will be slightly disappointed that his side didn't come away with more after a strong second half showing that saw them take the lead through a Darren Mattocks goal before being pegged back by a Jermain Defoe penalty.
"I think it was a very, very good performance by the group," Robinson told Vancouver's TEAM 1410 radio after the match. "On another day we probably could have taken the three points because getting our noses in front was excellent. Obviously the penalty call has let them back into the game. I think we managed the game very well today.
"First half I didn't think we had enough threat, or belief in the front two, because they were running down channels but then we were huffing and puffing. Second half we adjusted a few things. Erik [Hurtado] and Darren [Mattocks] both became hold up players, as well as players to run in behind.
"The goal was great. A super little bit of movement and a super finish. We've shown we can do it when we do it correctly."
Mattocks had given the Whitecaps the lead five minutes into the second half but another disappointment for Vancouver will be that they once again played a part in their own downfall.
Following Saturday's game-turning red card to Jordan Harvey, Nigel Reo-Coker gave away a crucial spot kick for the second straight road game when he fouled Jackson in the area, and Defoe made no mistake with the penalty for Toronto.
"People ask me if it was a penalty or not," Robinson said. "I don't know. I've seen it and I still don't know. The concern I had is that the boy had gone over a number of times prior to that and he seemed to get every call.
"There was a lot that I didn't think were fouls, obviously he went over again and he got the foul. We'll take it on the chin, we'll move on and we'll regroup for Saturday [against Real Salt Lake]".
Vancouver had the chance to go second in the West with a win in Toronto. With every point looking to be crucial in what is already a tight playoff race, the Whitecaps can take some solace from the fact that they remain unbeaten against Eastern Conference opposition in seven games this season.
"Maybe we can change over to being an Eastern Conference team," Robinson joked. "Then we'd be top."
