<i><b>Pitch Perfect</b> is our feature where we break down various moves of perfection in Whitecaps matches that lead to Vancouver goals. We haven't done one for a while, although we certainly could have, but we also have the flip side of that feature looking at the Caps' defensive mistakes - <b>Pitch Imperfect</b>...</i>
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Defensive lapses against the LA Galaxy have cost the Whitecaps dear these past two weeks. Vancouver may have twice fought back valiantly on Saturday against LA, but there will be disappointment in the camp about how they fell behind in the first half and were left playing the chasing game thereafter.
Here we break down the defensive mistakes that led to Stefan Ishizaki's first half opener for Los Angeles.
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The play starts after a corner was cleared near the middle line when DeLaGarza picks up the ball. A couple of things to point out are that Morales is on the right side of the midfield marking Husidic, as well as Miller pushing up a bit too much. This creates too much space for the Galaxy which forces Koffie to move up and fill it in.
The ball comes to Juninho and despite Koffie’s efforts, the Galaxy midfield still outnumbers two to one at this point. Morales is already losing track of Husidic and Gargan sees all the space on the right and starts to move forward.
Sarvas receives the pass from Juninho and because Koffie over pursues Juninho, Teibert must vacate his space to pressure Sarvas. Morales seems to have no idea where Husidic is and Beitashour is not paying attention either, as he is likely assuming Morales is defending him. Because of the previous corner Omar Gonzalez is still up the field which forces Beitashour to mark Ishizaki. Gargan continues his run into the open space and the majority of Galaxy players recognize this as they signal Sarvas to move the ball there.
Gargan has the ball now and has all the time in the world to notice Husidic waving his arms. Laba must now cover for Teibert and challenge the right back. It would be easier for Harvey to challenge Gargan but with Keane in between him and DeMerit there is no way the defender can pressure Gargan. Ishizaki starts to make a move to the middle of the box.
The cross is just about to be sent in by Gargan with Laba trying to disrupt it. However in doing that Laba left a gaping space at the top of the box which both Teibert and Koffie fail to cover. As a result, the Caps are outnumbered five to four in the attacking area around the box. Ishizaki is now in the middle of the box using Gonzalez as a pick on Beitashour. Not one of the defenders see Husidic make his run to the far post.
Husidic gets his head to the ball to the right of the six yard area with Beitashour attempting to block the attempt. O’Brien has Gonzalez while Harvey marks Keane, leaving DeMerit the free defender. Unfortunately the captain is not paying attention to what is happening behind and is ballwatching.
Ishizaki has a free header at the edge of the six yard area while DeMerit can only watch. If he had held and stayed where he was when Husidic headed the ball back to the middle then DeMerit may have been able to challenge the attempt. He may have been just moving with the backline as a group or was worried about a cross to the six to Keane but a look back and he would have seen both Ishizaki and Donovan.
A lot of blame to go around the whole team, but the main culprit for me was Morales who completely released Husidic.
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