Substitute striker Fredy Montero found a header at the death to help Vancouver Whitecaps FC salvage a 1-1 draw against Columbus Crew SC at BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
Though it looked as if the 'Caps might get on the board first, given positive play throughout the first half, especially from Inbeom Hwang, it was the Crew SC who engineered an opener. Pedro Santos got off a shot that Zac MacMath parried away, but Santos got on the rebound, pressed toward goal, and MacMath tripped him while attempting to defend. MacMath was given the yellow and faced down Gyasi Zardes on the PK; though he guessed the right way, Zardes got enough power on it for his 13th goal of the year.
A pair of Canadian nationals, Theo Bair and Tosaint Ricketts, nearly combined for the equalizer in the 54th minute. Bair set up Ricketts for a shot that Crew SC defender Aboubacar Keita was able to deflect onto the post and into the arms on an on-the-ground Eloy Room.
But it was Marc dos Santos' two offensive subs midway through the half, Montero and Michaell Chirinos, that finally paid off. With time ticking down to the final whistle, and precious little happening for the 'Caps offense, Montero was able to find room to operate inside the box, heading an arcing ball past Room to finally get the home side level.
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Goals
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: For the Crew SC, it looked until the very end of the match they'd keep their slim playoff hopes alive. By the match's end, they found themselves rooting for Real Salt Lake, as a New England win or tie would officially end Columbus' chances at the post-season. The Whitecaps, of course, are already out of the playoff picture, and will face the Galaxy next week without Ali Adnan, who picked up the magic yellow card to keep him out a match due to yellow card accumulation.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It didn't look like it was coming, but Montero's game-tying header at the very end gave the home fans something to be happy about.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Pedro Santos had a solid full 90, setting up the PK that looked like it'd hold up for the win, and being lively when he wasn't being a direct threat.
Next Up
- VAN: Sunday, Sept. 29 at LA Galaxy (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, TSN4 in Canada)
- CLB: Sunday, Sept. 29 vs. Philadelphia Union (5 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+, DAZN in Canada)
