Vancouver Whitecaps Vs. New England Revolution: 10-Man Revolution Tie 9-Man Whitecaps, 1-1

Illja Stolica scored the equalizing goal in the second minute of stoppage time and the New England Revolution salvaged a 1-1 tie in their Wednesday night match with the Vancouver Whitecaps. The game was marred by six cards, including three reds, that left the Whitecaps with nine men and the Revolution with 10.

Despite being two men up for about 20 minutes and playing a man up for the entire second half, the Revolution were unable to break through for a goal until Stolica was able to pounce on a free ball inside the six-yard box. The Revolution are now undefeated through four matches, having claimed six points and three ties. The Revolution have not looked particularly good in any of their matches. 

The Whitecaps, though, didn't do themselves many favors. Gershon Koffie's straight red in the 44th minute was probably deserved, as was Eric Hassli's first yellow card, let alone his second when he amazingly took off his shirt while celebrating his goal that gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. Despite being a man down, the Whitecaps continued to play surprisingly well as the Revolution seemed reluctant to push the action.

Most of the questionable calls in this one seemed to go against the Revolution. The penalty that led to Hassli's goal seemed liked an innocuous bump and the straight red A.J. Soares was shown seemed like a bit much. The Revolution also had an apparent goal waved off for a borderline offsides call.

Baldemero Toledo is known for being a bit card happy, but this Vancouver Whitecaps-New England Revolution match is even a bit much for him. It's not just that he's issued six cards, which is a lot, but not that extraordinary, it's that he's called a questionable penalty and handed out three red cards.

The last of those cards was issued to Revolution defender A.J. Soares, who was shown a straight red for a hard, but not particularly hard tackle on Atiba Harris, who looked unlikely to get to the ball anyway. That has left the Revolution with a 10-man to nine advantages.

Earlier in the match, he awarded a penalty to Camilo Sanvezzo, who was bumped off the ball in the penalty area. Camilo did not look like he had much of a chance at getting to the ball and the bump was pretty innocuous. Admittedly, most of Toledo's other cards seemed reasonably deserving, but once he issued his first red card, he seemed determined to even the field.

Eric Hassli may have become the first MLS player to ever be thrown out of a match immediately after scoring a goal. The Vancouver Whitecaps Designated Player, who had picked up a yellow card several minutes earlier, scored a penalty for a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute and then celebrated by taking off his jersey and throwing it into the crowd. Even though he had another jersey on underneath, he was shown a yellow card and was thrown out of the match. That left the Whitecaps with nine players to the Revolution's 11 as Gershon Koffie had been shown a straight red earlier in the match.

The Whitecaps were given the penalty when Camilo Sanvezzo was bumped off the ball inside the box. It was a bit of a questionable penalty, as Sanvezzo did not seem to have much of a chance of getting to the ball.

That set up Hassli's antics. Hassli, who was forced to sit out the Whitecaps' last game after a red card in Week 2, took the penalty well, but apparently didn't consider the repercussions for taking off his shirt, which is supposed to be an automatic warning.

Vancouver Whitecaps will play the final few minutes of the first half and all of the second half with no more than 10 men after Gershon Koffie was sent off with a straight red card in the 45th minute of their match with the New Engalnd Revolution. Koffie was sent off after a mid-air collision in which Koffie hit Pat Phelan with a stray elbow.

Even before Koffie's red card, the Whitecaps were already a little short-handed. In addition to not having normal starters Jay DeMerit, Davide Chiumiento and Eric Hassli in the starting lineup, captain Terry Dunfield had to leave the match with an apparent quad injury. Dunfield, more of offensive-minded midfielder, was replaced by John Thorrington, who is more defensive minded. Thorrington had been battling injuries of his own.

As far as first-half action, the best chance was produced by the Revolution. Stephen McCarthy was able to get a header past goalkeeper Jay Nolly, but Nizar Khalfan was able to clear it off the line.  

Eric Hassli may be the highest paid player on the Vancouver Whitecaps and their leading scorer, but he has apparently lost his starting spot, at least for a day. The Whitecaps Designated Player is not among the starting 11 as his team plays the New England Revolution on Wednesday. 

In Hassli's spot is Camilo Camilo Sanvezzo, the man who scored a pair of stoppage-time goals in Saturday's three-goal comeback against Sporting Kansas City. Also starting on the bench, perhaps less surprisingly, are Davide Chiumiento and Jay DeMerit, who have both been battling minor injuries. The Whitecaps do have another match on Saturday, which could be playing into this decision.

The Revolution are also a bit short-handed, and will be starting Bobby Shuttleworth in goal in place for the injured Matt Reis. The rest of the Revolution lineup looks a lot like it has in previous matches.

Whitecaps starters:  Nolly; Leathers, Boxall, Rochat, Wagner; Knight, Dunfield, Koffie, Khalfan; Harris, Camilo.

Revolution starters:  Shuttleworth - Alston, Cochrane, Soares, Domi - Phelan, Joseph, McCarthy - Boggs, Schilawski, Nyassi