The Vancouver Whitecaps (0W-0L-3D) needed a win in Montreal to keep their fleeting dreams of a Nutrilite championship alive Wednesday night.
The team remained undefeated, earning another 1-1 draw against the Montreal Impact (0W-2L-2D). But it wasn't good enough.
"In the end, we haven't lost a game, and yet, we're out," said Whitecaps head coach, Teitur Thordarson. "It's very disappointing."
Vancouver needed three points to sustain any hope of vaulting themselves over the MLS club Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) in the Canadian Nutrilite Championship.
Toronto is now guaranteed the title even though the Whitecaps and Toronto still play each other before the tournament is finished.
Ansu Toure scored his first goal of the season, giving Vancouver a glimmer of hope of beating Montreal, a team the Caps have not beaten in eight matches.
The Impact, not intimidated by Toure's post-goal jive on the field, tied the game up when midfielder Philippe Billy placed a well-passed ball in the back of the net from the top of the crease.
The match put a lot of heat on the Whitecaps. Not only was the team playing in a must-win situation, but Stade Saputo, filled with over 10,000 fans, was made hot and balmy courtesy of Mother Nature's late May heat wave.
Vancouver tried to capitalize on a sluggish Montreal team who looked like they were trying to adjust to the humidity.
Toure evaded an Impact defender to set a ball from the left-hand side to Cornelius Stewart whose close-range shot was saved by the Montreal keeper. Stewart's attempt was the best of the first half.
"The game was tight in the first half," said Thordarson. "We closed them down very well and didn't give them any chances behind us."
In the 50th minute, Wes Knight crossed the ball from the right. It deflected off an Impact defender's head and fortuitously landed on the boot of Toure who made no mistake in burying his first goal.
Vancouver owned a 1-0 lead and victory was in their grasp, but it only lasted 12 minutes. Former ‘Caps striker Eduardo Sebrango crossed the ball to Billy who potted the ball passed Vancouver keeper Jay Nolly to tie the match 1-1.
"I thought we looked on course to score again after taking the lead," said Thordarson, "but then we made a mistake that cost us the equalizing goal."
The Whitecaps pressured for the rest of the half, but were unable to regain the lead, making next week's match against Toronto a game played only for bragging rights.
Notes: Vancouver outshot Montreal 18-8…The Caps took 10 corners while the Impact took 3…the two clubs will meet up again three more time this season.
