Sometimes you do not get what you deserve. On Saturday afternoon, Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s efforts did not merit a humbling defeat to a rival, but the sport of association football never sticks to a script when it comes to results.

With the Cascadia Cup and playoff positioning in the MLS Western Conference at stake, the Whitecaps paid the price again for not taking their scoring chances at BC Place, falling 3-0 at home to Seattle Sounders.

Though the ‘Caps looked the better side in spells, Seattle struck at key points in the match to secure an important road win against its arch-rival, and with it, the fan-based Cascadia Cup title as the best MLS side in the Pacific Northwest for 2015.

Victory for the Sounders also pulled them to within three points of Western Conference leader Vancouver, which missed the chance to put some valuable distance between itself and the chasing pack.

Despite being without the injured trio of right back Steven Beitashour (knee sprain), striker Darren Mattocks (hip contusion), and captain Pedro Morales (hamstring), the Whitecaps had the Sounders under real pressure at times, but found the Seattle back line impenetrable. It allowed Seattle’s experienced attackers to create decisive openings just before halftime and midway through the second half.

For ‘Caps head coach Carl Robinson, the derby defeat felt like a punch in the gut. “I can’t fault my boys in there today,” he said. “I thought they were fantastic. I was proud of them because we had a right go at them.

“We had two or three good chances in the first half and we don’t take them. They had one chance and they take it. They’re a good team, so that happens. In the second half, I thought we played on the front foot and played some exciting football, but we lost.”

The weekend loss to an experienced Sounders squad was a sobering reminder of the work Vancouver has left in the final weeks of this MLS regular season.

“I think this result really puts things in perspective. With that said, I thought we played well,” Whitecaps defender Jordan Harvey said. “I don’t think the scoreline tells you the whole story of the game. We need to push on and we have another one (league game) at home that we’re looking forward to now.”

What will sting the Whitecaps is a missed opportunity to make history, as victory over Seattle would have secured a record third-straight Cascadia Cup title for the Blue and White.

“I’m sad for our fans because they were obviously expecting to lift that trophy,” said Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. “I feel bad not to be able to give them that pleasure, but we know that they’re there for us next time and we’ve got other silverware that, hopefully, we can share with them.”

Synonymous with derby clashes, there were some heated exchanges between both sets of players in downtown Vancouver. Both sides will not have to wait long to renew those hostilities, as they meet again in Seattle on Wednesday for a crucial Group F encounter in the CONCACAF Champions League.

“Both are fantastic organisations. Both have different models and different ways,” Robinson said. “It’s a good rivalry. You want big games.”