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Sat Dec 07, 2019 4:31 pm
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CHESTER, Pa. Eugenio Suarez Jersey . -- The Vancouver Whitecaps hoped to hit the World Cup break on a high note. It didnt go quite as planned as the Whitecaps conceded a two goal halftime lead to finish 3-3 with the Philadelphia Union in a thrilling game at PPL Park. Vancouver showed fight with the late equalizer, pushing their unbeaten streak to seven games and finishing the first half of the season with road points in back-to-back weeks. "We managed to take our chances," said Whitecaps head coach Carl Robinson. "I think the two goals we scored in the first half were from some excellent football, which is something Im trying to instill in the club. The second half, I think we went away from what we were doing very well in the first half." Robinson made three changes to the side that beat Portland 4-3 last week, starting Russell Teibert and Nicolas Mezquida in place of Kekutah Manneh and Sebastian Fernandez. Andy OBrien was given a rest as Johnny Leveron took his place at centre back. The first good chance of the game fell to Philadelphia in the 10th minute. Cristian Maidanas in-swinging cornerkick met the head of Conor Casey, who flicked on to captain Amobi Okugo. The ball was slightly behind and the centre back could only head over the crossbar. It was the Whitecaps, though, who started the scoring. Collecting the ball with space from 30 yards out, Teibert found Nigel Reo-Coker streaking forward from his right back position. The Englishmans one-touch cross found the head of Erik Hurtado, who placed a perfect header downward and into the corner for his fifth consecutive goal in all competitions. But the Whitecaps were forced to make a change in the 24th minute, with OBrien coming in for the injured Jay Demerit. The Vancouver captain felt soreness in his previously-injured left foot and was forced out of the game. He walked to the team bus on crutches. The Whitecaps then got a second goal in 42nd minute, this one from a counterattack. Sequential passing from Pedro Morales to Reo-Coker got Hurtado into space on the right. Cutting to his right, he was able to play a short diagonal for Mezquida, who slammed it home from point-blank range. In the second half, Vancouver survived a scare in the 51st minute when Philadelphia hit the post. Looping a loose ball back into the box, Vincent Nogueiras pass went over Danny Cruzs head, bounced in front of OBrien, and fell to Maurice Edu. The Union midfielder was turned around, and the ball somehow caromed off the woodwork and out of the danger zone. Philadelphia would then score three goals in eight minutes. The Union got a goal back in the 63rd minute through the active Casey. It was Fabinhos ball that put Maidana into space on the left side, and the Argentines cross was met by a diving header that hit the post and rolled into the back of the net. It didnt take long for substitute Sebastien Le Toux to make an impact, as he found the next goal in the 68th minute. Again the attack came down the left, with Maidana pushing the ball into space for Nogueira to collect. The midfielder got his head up and played a left footed square ball for the oncoming Le Toux, who finished calmly into the back of the net. The Union went ahead just two minutes later, on Caseys second goal of the game. This time the forward got the ball outside the penalty area, was left unchallenged, and hit a low drive into the bottom right corner. Vancouver countered with a 74th minute substitution, bringing Darren Mattocks in for Matias Laba. That sub would pay off, when the Jamaican forward earned a penalty kick for the Whitecaps just six minutes later. Latching onto a deep ball in the left channel, Mattocks charged into the penalty area and was brought down by goalkeeper Zac MacMath. Morales stepped up and converted the spot kick to level the game 3-3. "Its a good point away from home," said Reo-Coker. "That game had everything in it. We were fantastic in the first half and played some great football. Second half, they were the better team. To go down 3-2 away from home and get it to 3-3, its a good result. "Were disappointed in the way we conceded some goals and weve let teams back (into games), but overall weve got to say its a good point away from home." Vancouver enters the 18-day World Cup break with 21 points and a 5-2-6 record. "We do feel happy with where we are going (into the break)," Hurtado said. "Obviously were disappointed with (giving up the lead), but it just shows the character of our team. We want to win away, just as much as we want to win at home. Were going to look at that when we come back from our break. Were not going to take a physical break, just a little mental break. Were going to come back fit and ready to go." Barry Larkin Jersey . About seven hours before facing Washington in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference second round series, team officials said the oft-injured Bynum would miss the rest of the playoffs and would not even be with the team for the rest of the post-season. Sam Crawford Jersey . The American secured his first back-to-back ATP match wins since June to leave Tsonga relying on his performance at next weeks Paris Masters to clinch one of the final three places for the season-ending event in London. Tsonga would have moved up one spot to No. 6 with a win over Querrey at the City of Arts and Sciences, but his serve deserted him in the second set as the 116th-ranked American broke twice to reach the quarter-finals. https://www.cheapredsjerseys.us/2275s-george-foster-jersey-reds.html . Their 9-19 record remains identical to the crosstown rivals in Brooklyn and trails both Toronto and Boston in the Atlantic Division. Raymond Felton, their declining point guard, is back on the sideline nursing his third injury of the season.CLEVELAND -- Josh Gordons troubles are piling up fast. Clevelands Pro Bowl wide receiver, facing a possible NFL suspension for another failed drug test, was ticketed for speeding last weekend and a passenger in his car was cited for marijuana possession. Gordon was pulled over for driving 74 mph in a 60 mph zone on May 25, WKYC-TV reported Friday. According to the report, the passenger in Gordons Mercedes was issued a citation for possession of marijuana in an amount under 200 grams. The marijuana was found in a blue bag with identification. The passenger said the marijuana was not Gordons. Browns general manager Ray Farmer issued a statement regarding Gordons latest issue. "We are gathering information regarding the situation," Farmer said. "We will not have any further comment until the appropriate time." Gordons pending case is posted online on the Berea Municipal Court docket. It says Gordon showed proof of insurance when he was stoppped and that he did not have any warrants. Joe Morgan Jersey. He is due to appear in court on June 4. The traffic stop comes as the Browns are awaiting news whether Gordon will be available to play this season. The talented 23-year-old was suspended two games last season for failing a drug test and still led the league with 1,664 yards receiving. Earlier this month, ESPN reported that Gordon, who entered the league with a history of substance-abuse problems, failed another drug test, which could result in a one-year ban. Gordon has been practicing with the Browns as he awaits word from the league. Gordon has declined to comment at the workouts that have been open to the media the past two weeks. Last year, Gordon was convicted of two traffic offences after pleading no contest in court. He was ticketed twice for speeding, once for driving 98 mph. He paid $296 in fines and court costs. Former Browns coach Rob Chudzinski spoke to Gordon about his actions. ' ' ' |
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