VANCOUVER, B.C. — Rain couldn't dampen the Vancouver Whitecaps' homefield magic on Wednesday night as Davide Chiumiento scored a stoppage-time equalizer for a dramatic 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes at Empire Field, canceling out a first-half strike from Chris Wondolowski.
The ‘Caps extended their winless streak to nine matches but will be happy to salvage a point after a lackluster performance for much of the match.
San Jose were on the attack early with Scott Sealy having a dangerous cross parried out by Jay Nolly on seven minutes and Steven Lenhart cranking a dipping volley just over the bar two minutes later. The ‘Caps had a chance in the 11th minutes when Shea Salinas found Eric Hassli six yards from goal, but Ike Opara closed him down and blocked his attempt.
The Earthquakes looked the hungrier team the rest of the half. In the 12th minute, Ryan Johnson burst toward goal and hit a left-footed strike just wide of the far post. In the 25th, Wondolowski was on target with a free kick, but was denied by Nolly.
The visitors finally broke through in the 39th minute as the ‘Caps continued to turn the ball over and give the Quakes space in the attacking third. After Nolly did well to save a terrific low shot from Sam Cronin, Johnson got to the ball first and sent it back towards goal, finding Wondolowski for a cheeky backheel goal and a 1-0 lead at the half.
The Earthquakes looked for more early in the second half as Sam Cronin beat Wes Knight down the left side before firing a low shot not far off target. Vancouver responded two minutes later with Hassli missing a cross from Chiumiento, allowing the ball to skip all the way on goal, but Jon Busch was in position and made a diving save to preserve his team’s lead. It was a bit of foreshadowing, as Chiumiento eventually found the equalizer on a similar play.
Just into second-half stoppage time, the diminutive Swiss playmaker picked up the ball along the right touchline. He swung in a left-footed cross toward the back post that somehow snuck through the entire penalty area and beat Busch, who was playing against the flick-on. It was Chiumiento’s first goal of the season for Vancouver.
Vancouver (1-4-3) face another quick turnaround as they travel to New England to take on the Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday. San Jose (1-4-5), meanwhile, host Columbus on Saturday.
Scoring Summary:
SJ -- Chris Wondolowski 4 (Ryan Johnson 1) 39
VAN -- Davide Chiumiento 1 (Terry Dunfield 3) 90
Misconduct Summary:
VAN -- Terry Dunfield (caution; Reckless Tackle) 34
VAN -- Mouloud Akloul (caution; Handball) 77
VAN -- Jeb Brovsky (caution; Tactical Foul) 86
VAN -- Jay Nolly (caution; Dissent) 86
Lineups:
San Jose Earthquakes-- Jon Busch, Bobby Burling, Ike Opara, Steven Beitashour, Ramiro Corrales, Ryan Johnson, Sam Cronin, Brad Ring, Scott Sealy (Khari Stephenson 64), Steven Lenhart, Chris Wondolowski.
Substitutes Not Used: Bobby Convey, Jason Hernandez, Chris Leitch, Brandon McDonald, Ellis McLoughlin, Andrew Weber.
Vancouver Whitecaps-- Jay Nolly, Wes Knight (Jay DeMerit 75), Greg Janicki, Mouloud Akloul, Alain Rochat, Davide Chiumiento, Terry Dunfield, Jeb Brovsky, Shea Salinas (Russell Teibert 72), Eric Hassli (Omar Salgado 66), Camilo.
Substitutes Not Used: Nizar Khalfan, Gershon Koffie, Blake Wagner, Joe Cannon.
Referee: Ricardo Salazar
Referee's Assistants: Kevin Duliba; Corey Rockwell
4th Official: David Gantar
Time of Game: 1:49
Weather: Rain and 48 degrees
Attendance: 15,608
