Referee Tim Ford (second from right) had an outsized influence on events in Game 2 between Vancouver and LAFC (Photo: Gerrit te Hennepe).
Vancouver Whitecaps 0-1 Los Angeles FC (LAFC win series, 2-0)
VANCOUVER, BC–Referee Tim Ford became the most unpopular man in Vancouver after a performance that TSN’s Steven Caldwell called ‘disgraceful’, the Vancouver Province all but blamed for the Whitecaps losing in their report, and might lead to a multiple game suspension for coach Vanni Sartini for his post-match comments in addition to a red card.
As it was, LAFC won 1-0 and swept the series, 2-0. They will face either Seattle or FC Dallas in the next round. However, many will feel they have referee Tim Ford to thank for that. In the 22nd minute, Ford adjudged that Tristan Blackmon tripped Mario Gonzalez in the area and immediately pointed to the spot. A VAR check upheld the decision and Denis Bouanga converted the spot kick.
The Whitecaps had their chances in the second half, though most were stymied by Maxime Crepeau (who was booed at every touch of the ball) or went wide of target. However, the most notable block may have come from Ford himself. In stoppage time, with Whitecaps keeper Yohei Takaoka up for a corner, Ford collided with midfielder Alessandro Schõpf which allowed LAFC to go on a counter with an empty net. Bouanga finished the chance, but the goal would be disallowed as the pass from Carlos Vela put Bouanga in an offside position with just one defender behind for Vancouver. Sartini would be sent off after going ballistic about the collision and subsequent play on.
The disallowed goal is of zero consolation for Vancouver who will feel cheated by the referee who overlooked actions by LAFC including why Gonzalez wasn’t given a straight red for a tackle that contacted Takaoka’s head–he only got yellow.
“At the end, we didn’t have a fair chance, to be honest,” Sartini said in his post-match press conference. “[It’s] because today unfortunately the referee had the bad game.”
Vancouver indeed will feel cheated, and they and most of the 30,204 fans who attended (an MLS record for the Whitecaps) will feel every right to be.
(Editor’s Note: The opinions of this report, who is also the editor of Prost Amerika, does not necessarily reflect those of his colleagues, but there may be some concurrence outside of this website.)
Gerrit te Hennepe has the photos from Sunday night at BC Place. You can view a sample below and more by clicking on the link. We thank Gerrit for his contributions this season.
