<i>Match report and post game reaction from Vancouver Whitecaps' 2-2 draw with Los Angeles Galaxy at BC Place. With quotes from the Caps' Carl Robinson, Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller and Kekuta Manneh.</i>
<b>Report:</b>
A late strike by second half sub Kekuta Manneh saved a point for the Whitecaps as they came back to draw Los Angeles Galaxy at two. The opening goal was by Stefan Ishizaki of the Galaxy in the first while second half scores by Darren Mattocks and Robbie Keane completed the scoring.
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The Galaxy opened the scoring late in the first half when Ishizaki converted a free header just outside the six yard box. It started from the right side when Dan Gargan sent in a cross to the far post which was headed back across by Baggio Husidic for the Swedish import to finish.
There were chances for the Caps to open the scoring in the first when Darren Mattocks just missed connecting on a cross from Kenny Miller in the six yard area. Jaime Penedo then came up big with a diving save when he got his hands on a Pedro Morales that was deflected on its way to the net.
For the majority of the first half the Galaxy were the more organized team keeping Vancouver from creating many chances. The Caps were unable to challenge LA’s ability to control the wide areas which is where the opening goal and the majority of their chances came from.
Coming out of the break the Caps made some significant changes to their lineup as Johnny Leveron and Kekuta Manneh came on for Andy O’Brien, who was on a yellow after picking up a booking just 32 seconds into the game, and Russell Teibert. The changes didn’t have much impact as the Galaxy continued to be the dangerous side and Robbie Keane almost put them up by two with a shot that just missed the target.
From the hour mark the Whitecaps started pressing harder and it paid off for them about seven minutes later when a hustling Darren Mattocks scored his second of the season to even the match. Confusion between Leonardo and Penedo allowed Mattocks to gather the ball and score from a very tight angle.
The home side continued to pour on the pressure and almost took the lead when Gershon Koffie was set up at the top of the box but blasted the ball over the net.
After defending a couple of attacks the Galaxy settled the game down and then capitalized as Keane put them ahead by a 2-1 score. The ball was sent into the box by Gonzalez where Canadian Rob Friend headed it to Keane and the striker made no mistake beating Ousted.
With less than five minutes left in regular time the Whitecaps responded and Kekuta Manneh blasted a shot from outside the box. Steve Beitashour sent a cross to the far side of the box where Darren Mattocks controlled it and sent it to Manneh who took a touch and beat Penedo to even the score.
Both teams had chances in the final moments with Manneh stopped at the far post by Penedo and David Ousted holding onto a dangerous header by Friend. However there would be no more scoring as both teams settled for a point.
Final Score: Vancouver 2 -2 Los Angeles Galaxy
Att: 21,000 (4th straight sell out)
Vancouver Whitecaps
David Ousted; Steven Beitashour, Andy O'Brien (Johnny Leverón 46th min), Jay DeMerit, Jordan Harvey; Gershon Koffie, Matías Laba, Pedro Morales (Erik Hurtado 65th min), Russell Teibert (Kekuta Manneh 46th min); Darren Mattocks, Kenny Miller
Substitutes not used
Paolo Tornaghi, Nigel Reo-Coker, Nicolás Mezquida, Sebastian Fernandez
LA Galaxy
Jaime Penedo; Dan Gargan, Omar Gonzalez, Leonardo, A.J. DeLagarza; Juninho, Marcelo Sarvas, Stefan Ishizaki (Rob Friend 72nd min), Baggio Husidic (Gyasi Zardes 72nd min); Landon Donovan, Robbie Keane
Substitutes not used
Brian Perk, Tommy Meyer, Kofi Opare, Kenney Walker, Samuel
<b>Reaction:</b>
<b>Carl Robinson on getting something from game:</b>
"Totally important that we got a result today. I think in the last two games we've shown that we can compete with one of the top teams in Major League Soccer in LA."
<b>Carl Robinson on first half performance:</b>
"It was hard work. I think we made it hard work. I don't think in the first half we had the belief we could go toe to toe with them, at home, in front of our fans, and I think we were playing safe.
<b>Carl Robinson on the introduction of Kekuta Manneh at half time:</b>
"I made a tactical switch to try and inject a little bit of life with the kid coming on, Kekuta, who I toyed with the idea of playing with from the start. Maybe me, being a young head coach, thought is it better for me to be in the game then unleash the young 'un, but I made the decision at half time."
<b>Carl Robinson on replacing Andy O'Brien at half time:</b>
"I've just been talking to Andy in there. I took Andy off just because I was worried he would get sent off. After being pig sick losing at home when Mati Laba got sent off and he was touching the dodgy border in regards to picking up a second yellow card, I made the call early this time and replaced Andy with Johnny."
<b>Carl Robinson on how competitive the Caps can be:</b>
"Are we going to be able to compete straight away? Yeah, I think we showed in the last two weeks, we can. It's important we maintain that level as well and after the last two weeks I'm really proud of the guys in there."
<b>Darren Mattocks on team performance in fighting back:</b>
"The team, I really got to give credit, you know. Fantastic determination. Work ethic was good by the team."
<b>Darren Mattocks on the extra help he received for his goal:</b>
"It was God. It all God to be honest. In the 66th minute I asked the Lord to deliver me and in the 67th minute I scored. If that's not fate, I don't know what is."
<b>Darren Mattocks on his hustle for his goal:</b>
"It's a combination of my speed and my anticipation. As a striker you've got to anticipate for a player to mess up and they did that. I didn't even look at the goal to be honest. As a striker you've got to know where the goal is. It was a very tight angle."
<b>Kenny Miller on the game:</b>
"I felt we were not quite at it in the first half. Obviously the boss made a couple of changes at half time to get us a bit more impetus and forward thinking. I thought we got back into the game and deservedly so. After that, I thought we were pretty much in control of the game and it was another sucker punch at the other when they got the goal. But again, we showed great character to come back. It was a fantastic finish by Kekuta."
<b>Kenny Miller on Caps late push:</b>
"If there was any team that was going to win it, it was gonna be us. Yeah, we're happy to get the point after being down twice, but again disappointed. I felt we could have maybe nicked it today."
<b>Kenny Miller on urging teammates to cut short celebrations and go for the win:</b>
"It's a goal and it's got us back into the game, but with five minutes left on the clock, the result, it's not a draw. I want to go on and win the game. We've still got a chance to go and win it and I genuinely felt that with the way we went about it in the second half, we were the team that was looking to go on and win the game."
<b>Kekuta Manneh on his goal:</b>
"I've been doing it all week. I've been working on it, my shot, in practice. Every single day, for five minutes. When Darren got the ball, I knew he was going to try and take the defenders on and I just hold up my run at the edge of the box and he laid it off for me and the first thing that came into my mind was just strike it on target and see what happens. So I think hard work pays off."
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