Whitecaps FC V Chivas USA – Empire Field – April 16, 2011
Keeping their undefeated home streak alive, Whitecaps FC held the visiting Chivas USA to a nil-nil draw at Empire Field. It seems that the Whitecaps have a hard time travelling as both losses of the
season have been away matches and neither has been a particularly great performance. At home it’s been a different story does the home crowd really give the team an advantage?
The ’12th Man’ (the crowd) plays such an important part to a match as they provide the added boost to the home team to keep playing their best. To the away team the noise and support
provided to the hosts can be a distraction that can (and hopefully does) throw off their game.
The rolling chants of WHITE & CAPS from the opposite sides of the pitch are followed by the end to end taunting of each, the Southsiders and the Northgate All-stars, supporter’s group, to see who was the better bigger booster all create a great supportive atmosphere in Empire Field.
Although this match against Chivas wasn’t the best performance by the Whitecaps, they managed to hold the visitors off the goal. Did the support of the crowd give them just that little but extra. Both teams had chances, but ‘keeper Jay Nolley kept the Whitecaps in the hunt by consistantly denying Chivas’ attempts. As Coach Tietur Torteson keeps tinkering with the line due to suspensions and injury the players don’t seem to have gelled and don’t appear to trust the players on the pitch with them. Miscconnections and fumbled calls have led to missed goal opportunities or free kicks going against them. Hopefully a regular line-up will appear soon to get that ‘finish’ that they’re missing presently plus ensure the fans have something to cheer about.
We want to continue to see lively crowd bringing the now standard cacaphony to the stands. Now if we can just get them to travel well and deal with the away fans…we’ll have a winning combination!