The Vancouver Whitecaps capped off a disappointing season with a one goal loss to Real Salt Lake on Sunday afternoon. The 'Caps, after being eliminated from playoff contention 36 days ago, have played some of their best football of the season, going 2-1-1 over that span. It's only natural as the players have nothing left to play for except the often touted pride, and far more realistic contracts they hope to earn, either here, or elsewhere.
Salt Lake midfielder Damir Kreilach scored the lone goal in a 28th minute effort. Goalkeeper Nick Rimando made five saves on the way to earning his 10th clean sheet of the season, in what amounted to his last ever league match, as he announced back in March that this would be his swansong. At forty years of age, it's not a decision he's likely to reverse during the close season.
It's been a difficult season for the Blue and Whites, who finished last in the Western Conference, and second worst overall, thanks to the recently promoted FC Cincinnati. Vancouver finished with an 8-10-16 record, 34 points, while scoring 37 goals, conceding 58, for a -21 goal differential.
This represents a marginal improvement over Vancouver's 2011 side, which finished with a 6-10-18 record, 28 points, while scoring 35, conceding 55, for a -20 goal differential.
The 2019 edition slightly bested the 2011 in every category except goal differential, although it did take two wins, a draw, and eight goals for in their last four matches to pull ahead.
The Caps had a decent chance to open the scoring in the 27th minute when Michaell Chirinos sent a shot that skimmed just wide of the left post. A minute later, Kreilach put the visitors up by one at the other end of the pitch.
Salt Lake had numerous opportunities to widen the lead, but one proved to be enough on the day, forcing Max Crepeau into a difficult save in the 31st minute, only for Salt Lake's leading scorer, Albert Rusnak, to hit the post in the 33rd minute.
With the victory, Salt Lake secured third place in the Western Conference, meaning they'll host Portland Timbers in the Round of 12, with the winner facing either Seattle or Dallas in the quarter-finals.
This season is over, let the next one begin.