Vancouver Whitecaps FC coach Marc Dos Santos called conceding the decisive goal in stoppage time “heartbreaking,” and he was frustrated that his team’s edge in possession didn’t translate to more chance creation.
But his biggest gripe after a 1-0 loss to the LA Galaxy Sunday at Dignity Heath Sports Park was for referee Victor Rivas for a “very bad decision” leading up to Kai Koreniuk’s winner for the Galaxy.
“What I’m more frustrated [by] is that I think the referee had a very bad decision on the foul he gives on [Russell Teibert] that originates them being in our half and scoring the goal,” Dos Santos told reporters in a video conference call after the match.
On the play in question, Teibert chases Carlos Harvey and wins the ball as Harvey goes to ground. Rivas blew his whistle for a foul and booked Teibert for the challenge in the 89th minute.
Moments later, Cristian Pavon sent a cross to the edge of the six-yard box where Koreniuk loses his mark to finish first time.
“There’s a play with Rusty that goes from a very clean tackle from Rusty, a very good ball that he won and ready to initiate a counter attack of 5v4 and the ref does an incredible mistake, calls the foul, gives the yellow card, puts LA in our half,” dos Santos said. “From that moment, they get something, a cross in — we spoke so much about preventing the cross, that’s the type of game LA plays — unfortunately, when you start getting tired, you lose a little bit of sharpness and decision making.”
