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Day three of the Disney Pro Soccer Classic ended with a glimpse of hope for the 2012 Vancouver Whitecaps squad, and a bit of concern for Sporting Kansas City.
Vancouver picked up a huge win over Eastern Conference champion Houston 1-0 off the back of a Sébastien Le Toux penalty kick in the 15th minute. The Whitecaps played excellent defense the rest of the game, and the worst MLS team in 2011 clinched a spot in the finals of the tournament with the win.
Sporting Kansas City had a chance to fight Vancouver for the right to go to the finals with a win over Montreal, but Sporting was never able to put the Impact away. Montreal struck first in the 37th minute with a goal by Mike Fucito after some spectacular play from MLS Superdraft 1st pick Andrew Wenger. This was after Soony Saad missed a penalty kick for Sporting.
Saad made up for it, however, with a brilliant strike in the 70th minute to equalize the game. Both teams made chances at scoring in the final twenty minutes, but none were able to put it in the net.
Sporting should have won this game. There is no reason Saad should have missed the PK, and Sporting should have put the ball in the back of the net numerous times.
One thing though from this game is how impressive Andrew Wenger was for Montreal. This kid is the real deal and a very serious contender for Rookie of the Year.
With the win by Vancouver and tie by Sporting the Whitecaps clinched a spot in the finals, where they will take on the winner of Pool B. The second round for Pool B happens today, with the schedule located below.
Sporting, Houston and Montreal all have a chance to play in the consolation game, which pits the two group’s runner ups. Sporting sits alone in second place right now and would clinch with a win against Vancouver, or with a tie against Vancouver and a Houston-Montreal tie. Houston and Montreal would both clinch with a win and a Sporting KC loss or tie.
Day 4 matches are today featuring Toronto FC vs. BK Hacken at 5:00 pm, and Orlando City vs. FC Dallas also at 5:00 pm Central time.
The updated standings are below, check back here tomorrow for the Day 4 update!
Pool A
|
Teams |
Points |
Wins |
Losses |
Ties |
|
Vancouver |
6 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sporting KC |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
Houston |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Montreal |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
Clinched Finals
Pool B
|
Teams |
Points |
Wins |
Losses |
Ties |
|
BK Hacken |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
FC Dallas |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Orlando City |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Toronto FC |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |