Whitecaps winless streak extends to eight after 1-0 loss at home to Red Bull

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – The Whitecaps pressured and outplayed the New York Red Bull at BC Place but the teams lack of scoring caught up them to again. Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the lone goal as the Red Bull beat the Whitecaps 1-0.

Vancouver forward Erik Hurtado had five great scoring chances in the match, but couldn’t find the back of the net.

During stoppage time in the first half, the linesman gave a throw in to the Red Bull, even though it clearly went out off a New York player. Vancouver head coach Carl Robinson objected the call and was dismissed from the sideline by referee Sorin Stoica.

With the Whitecaps needing points to keep their post-season hopes alive, the team played with more urgency than in recent weeks. With only one goal in their last seven league matches it’s clear the club needs to spend some money to bring in a quality striker if it hopes to contend for the MLS Cup in the future.

The Red Bull (13-8-8) had the first good scoring chance in the 12th minute but defender Ronald Zubar put his shot just wide of the net.

Vancouver (8-13-7) would get its chance to open the scoring in the 21st, Hurtado came in down the right side missed the New York goal from just outside the 18.

The Whitecaps continued to pressure New York in the first half, but couldn’t convert on their opportunities. Hurtado had two more chances to open the scoring. In the 34th, he took a great pass from Nicolas Mezuida only to dribble it right into Red Bull keeper Luis Robles.

Then, just four minutes later, Hurtado came in all alone on Robles and misfired his shot wide.

Neither team managed to get a shot on goal in the half and the teams went into the break scoreless.

The Whitecaps continued to carry the play to start the second half. Mezquida set up Hurtado once again, but the forward missed the target for the third time in the match.

New York took advantage of their first good scoring chance of the second half in the 50th minute when Wright-Phillips got through the Whitecaps defence and put it past keeper David Ousted.

Hurtado’s bad luck continued in the 73rd minute when he put a header over the goal, leaving the Whitecaps down by a goal. He then failed to convert on a wide open chance in stoppage time, once again putting the ball wide of the net.

This is the first win for the Red Bull against the Whitecaps in New York’s franchise history.

Vancouver is winless in its last eight league matches, and their playoff chances are looking slim heading into their last seven games of the season.