What an exciting weekend for the Tide...great world cup games and 4 points for the Tide!!! That’s right, the Tide battled to a 2-1 win yesterday against the Vancouver Whitecap Residency Team. I had a great view of the game due to an ankle injury on Friday night so here is my recap.
We came out a little slow in the beginning of the first half, uncharacteristically giving away possession in the first 5 minutes, one series leading to a Vancouver player hitting the post from a very tough angle. After settling down and putting together a good string of possession, the Tide were able to surprise Vancouver with a 30 yard bomb from Daniel Gray (2 goals on the weekend) in the 10th minute. Vlad Voin, who was key in keeping possession and being an outlet for both the midfielders and defenders, passed the ball to Daniel who took a few touches before smacking the ball past a flat footed and surprised goalie. All he could do was pick the ball out of the back of the net with a shocked look.
We continued to pressure the younger Vancouver team setting the tone with some tough tackles and solid periods of possession. In the 31st minute, we were able to double our lead on a corner kick. The ball was played into the box, Ty Klein and the goalkeeper rose to meet the ball, but Ty won the battle. His header was knocked to the ground were an alert Chris Sanders pounced on it. Both Ty and Chris played good games, Ty winning the physical battle all over the park and keeping the defense organized and Sanders holding the ball up, getting others involved in the attack and creating good chances in the box. Unfortunately Ty had to come off near the end of the game due to an ankle injury, but hopefully he will be back soon.
Our two goal lead was short lived as only 6 minutes later the Whitecaps sent a corner of their own into the box. A Vancouver player rose to meet the header, directed it toward the ground, but Scott Barnum was able to make a great save pushing the ball up off the crossbar. Unfortunately the ball bounced back into the box, was met by another Whitecap player, again blocked by a Tide defender but still the ball ended up in the back of the net.
After halftime both teams continued to battle. It was a physical game resulting in 4 yellows for the Tide and 3 for Vancouver. It also appeared as if the players had picked up the theme of the World Cup games that day, as both teams were the recipients of red cards. Chase Tagney was issued a red card in the 71 minute for a slide tackle, which likely should have been a yellow card with a stern talking to rather than a straight red. Going down to 10 men allowed Vancouver to see more of the ball and they pressed to get a goal as the game wound down, but all they got was frustration. This was evident as a Vancouver player was issued his second yellow, resulting in a red. The player proceed to grab the red card out of the refs hand and throw it to the ground. I think every player has thought about doing the same thing when shown a red, and I am glad that I can say that I have seen it.
After the win we headed home with high spirits and our 5 game unbeaten streak still intact. We are excited to play local rivals Washington Crossfire this Wednesday June 16th, at 7:30pm. Many of the Tide players have friends or teammates on Crossfire, and it is always fun to earn bragging rights after a good win.
We then host the Victoria Highlanders on Sunday June 20th in a big battle to move up in the standings and remain in the playoff hunt.
Thanks for reading this weekend and I hope to see you out at a game soon.
Brayton Knapp #15
Entry #2
It was another great day to be a soccer fan. Especially when your rooting for the US...in Canada no less. Our team gathered together in the hotel to watch the game. We were in a public area, but that didn’t stop us from yelling at the TV after the England goal or yelling and high fiving after the US scored. It was an exciting game until the very end, and we felt it lived up to its hype.
After the game finished we had to head back to Vancouver. It was another great Ferry ride. The sun was shining, and most of the guys were up on the sundeck. Chris Sanders and I introduced a new card game to the guys. After the guys got the idea the gambling began, even Gerry got into the action for a few hands. So far Spencer Shomaker and Sean Foss have been the biggest victors, but there is still a day left on the trip.
We had a great dinner tonight at a place called Anton’s Pasta. If you are ever in Burnaby it is located at 4260 East Hastings St. The place is fairly small, and they don’t take reservations so we had to wait for about 45 minutes, but it was well worth it. The portions were huge and everyone walked away with some left overs (Except Chris and Scott Barnum, who both finished and received pens for their efforts).
Everyone is looking forward to the games tomorrow, both the World Cup and our game. Getting the win and 4 points from this road trip would be a great way to end the weekend. It would also help keep us in the hunt for the playoffs as we come up to a stretch of home games soon.
Brayton Knapp #15
Entry #1
Hello Tide Fans,
It has been quite a day in the soccer world...it seems as if everyone was tying. South Africa and Mexico played to an exciting 1-1 tie, France and Uruguay battle to 0-0, and most importantly the Tide fought our way to a 2-2 tie. Before we get into the game lets recap the day.
Most of the guys woke up at 7am to watch the opening game of the World Cup. If like me, you lived close to the pick up for the trip, you got to watch the whole game. Exciting as the game was I had hoped for a win for South Africa. Unfortunately like us, they couldn’t hold on to the lead.
Moving on to the road trip...here are a few keys to traveling with the Tide:
1: There is a tendency to be late. Be it waiting for players at a pick up, going through the border, or missing the ferry by 5 minutes.
2: If you don’t want Subway you better get your own food. Just ask resident vegan, Chase Tangney, who has yet to get a sandwich on our trips...there is always the spokane and yakima trip I guess
3: Last but not least, choose your van wisely. If you want to sleep, don’t get into a van with Cam Vickers, Chris Sanders, or Chase. These three have proven to be the jokers of the group, and play off of each other throughout the whole ride.
Now to recap the game. As I said before we tied 2-2, but had chances to win the game. We started off the game a little slow, giving the Highlanders much of the run of play for the first twenty minutes. The Highlanders capalitized on the posession and got a goal after a few lucky bounces.
After a tactical change we were able to get the ball down and play, resulting in us creating more chances. Our first goal came when Rory Agu was given a through ball, then cut back on his defender and sent a cross to Daniel Gray. DG rose and headed/backed the ball into the goal, leveling the score.
We continued to put on the pressure and again created some quality chances. We got a free kick from out wide, which Cam Vickers sent into the box. Elliott Morten was in the right position and the ball came over a defender, hit him and rolled into the net. We ended the half up 2-1, and continued to play well after the break.
The Highlanders were very dangerous on set pieces, and their last goal came from one of these. A corner kick was set into the box, cleared by us, but not far enough. A Highlander sent the ball back into the box, one of their players got a touch on it and it ended up in the back of the net.
A few more chances came for both sides, but neither team was able to break the deadlock. It was a very physical game, resulting in lots of yellow cards for the Tide, and a few little injuries. I was one of those who picked up a knock, but hopefully I will be able to play on Sunday.
We are planning on watching the USA vs England game as a team, and most of us are hoping the US can get the win. Look for an update tomorrow after the US game.
us creating more chances. Our first goal came when Rory Agu was given a through ball, then cut back on his defender and sent a cross to Daniel Gray. DG rose and headed/backed the ball into the goal, leveling the score. 
