Ankle rankles
Richer's late-game injury costs Mustangs
By CAMERON MAXWELL -- Calgary Sun
Playing his first game in three months, Aaron Richer was a rock on defence.
While he was on the field last night for the Calgary Mustangs, the Portland Timbers barely generated a scoring chance on the turf at McMahon Stadium.
Problem is, Richer reinjured his left ankle with about 10 minutes left in the game, forcing him to the bench, then the Timbers scored with just four minutes left to steal a 1-0 win from the 'Stangs.
"There was little beauty in my performance ... but getting into the game, it's safety first. You get into a couple of tackles, win a few headers and it's all about keeping a clean sheet," said the 24-year-old, who tweaked the ankle but should be good to go for Calgary's next game tomorrow in Vancouver.
"It would be nice if I was a bit more composed back there but because it's been so long, I was pretty content with the way things went."
He made several great plays, using his head and feet to clear the ball when it looked like Portland was pressing.
And with Richer, a former CIS player of the year with the UBC Thunderbirds, on the field, the Mustangs kept Portland's star striker, Alan Gordon, off the scoresheet.
But it was Gordon who notched his league-leading 16th goal in 18 games, extending Calgary's losing streak to seven games after deflecting in a nice cross from Shawn Saunders.
"He's very dangerous and great in the air. But that's indicative of an intense game like this," said Richer.
"Because of an injury, somebody can't have the time to warm up properly and get into the game. You need a good 10-15 minutes to warm up and get mentally focused ... and they're going to get one."
Gordon's goal came just a minute after Calgary's Mesut Mert rattled a low shot off the far side of the Portland post.
"That's the beauty of soccer," said Richer. "You never know what's going to happen and whenever you do get those chances, which are rare, you have to capitalize. They didn't get much but they capitalized."
It's been the same, sad saga for the Mustangs all season -- missed chances -- and there were plenty in the second half. Conrad Smith missed the net on a shot from 12 yards out and Mert missed a chance from 11 yards out.
The Mustangs' record drops to 2-14-3, while Portland improves to 12-7-0.
After tomorrow's game against the Whitecaps, the 'Stangs return home Sunday to take on the tough Seattle Sounders.
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