Darren Mattocks Shows Why He Was the Number 2 Overall Pick in the 2012 Draft as Vancouver Ties with Seattle

1-1     in CONCACAF

By Ralph M. Chery

August 7, 2015

NEW YORK— Mattocks probably had the worst game of his young MLS career Wednesday night at BC Place against Seattle in both team’s opener of the 2015-16 CONCACAF Champions League. It wasn’t his day, we all have those—some people everyday—it’s how you react through that pain. Mattocks kept fighting his boots off even when nothing was going right, his effort contributed in the Whitecaps’ single point. The game ended 1-1.

Both sides failed to keep a rhythm in their passes. When the ball made his way to the Whitecaps’ lone forward Mattocks, his passes found the cleats of a Seattle green jersey. Passes after passes. You expected him to lose the ball before the ball even came to him.

Remind you, Mattocks was the freshman sensation at University of Akron scoring 39 goals in 47 games. He was drafted as a freshman, he scored the goal that eliminated the US in the Gold Cup for Jamaica this summer. Though, the Jamaican’s  goal tally in the MLS falls short of expectation, he scored 19 goals in 88 games, he is a player to watch out for. Wednesday night he played far below of his capability.

The commentator of the game wasn’t shy to say how poor both teams were performing, he also said a few words on how Mattocks kept “giving the ball away” in the upper third. Mattocks’ mistakes didn’t walk him to the bench, Carl Robinson made six substitutions, none of them called the Jamaican’s number 11. Right decision?

Every time Mattocks lost the ball, he sprinted back like Usain Bolt, eager to make up for his mistake. Every time. What every coach teach young players, “When you lose the ball, go get it.” When his teammates had the ball, he ran to an open space. He often didn’t get the ball but that didn’t stop him. The forward is known for his aerial skills, he fought for every headers like it was the last play of the game. Indeed, he cleared two of Seattle’s corners with his head.

As said, the game was sloppy but the opening goal was world class. Vancouver's Tim Parker backheeled an inswinging corner kick by Morales, the ball flew in the far post, the clock read about 61:05. The team player, Mattocks, threw his hands in the air.

Seattle would equalize ten minutes later. Andy Rose’s cross whistled through Christian Dean’s legs to find the right foot of Lamar Neagle who one time the ball in the net. Vancouver came close to take the lead again late in the second half. A well placed cross from Morales found Mattocks’ head, on a good day the ball would’ve kissed the net, but that night keeper: Troy Perkins easily hugged the ball with his palms. That was Mattocks only shot of the game.

The 24 year old kept freeing himself, he was the target of most of the Whitecaps’ long ball. The last play of the game was a sweet backheel by Mattocks: the fighter—from a long ball—into space for Eamshaw, unfortunately, the ref blew the final whistle. Mattocks wasn’t victorious but, without a doubt, he showcased an example of never-get-down heart to follow, a character that allowed him to reach this far.