VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC host their second doubleheader of the year at Swangard Stadium this Saturday, June 7, when the women kick off against the Seattle Sounders at 4:00 p.m. and the men battle the Portland Timbers at 7:00 p.m.WOMEN'S MATCH PREVIEW
Vancouver Whitecaps women (2-0-2) look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season when they host Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders (1-0-1) on Saturday afternoon.
Bob Birarda's side came through a difficult two-game Colorado road trip in positive fashion, with the Whitecaps claiming a 1-1 draw with Real Colorado Cougars in Denver last Wednesday before battling their way to a 1-0 victory at Fort Collins Force on Friday. With a draw and a win earned in the team's first two USL W-League Western Conference games at home, the Whitecaps now look to keep the pressure on leaders Pali Blues by collecting three valuable points against Seattle before heading to southern California for a pivotal three-game road stint next week.
Saturday's game will be the 29th meeting between the two Interstate 5 rivals, with the Whitecaps leading the all-time series of results with 20 wins, five defeats, and three draws. Vancouver have also been dominant against Seattle at Swangard, having registered 11 wins, two defeats, and two draws overall.
One of those two home defeats came a critical stage last season, as Seattle's 2-1 win at Swangard on July 14 resulted in the Whitecaps missing the W-League playoffs for the first time in team history. The game was the third meeting between the two clubs in 2007, with Vancouver defeating the Sounders 2-1 in the season opener at Swangard on May 20. Seattle avenged that defeat on May 26 when two goals from Chalise Baysa gave the Sounders a 2-0 win at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington.
Complete women's match preview: www.whitecapsfc.com/schedule/match06070802.aspx
MEN'S MATCH PREVIEW
Vancouver Whitecaps men (6-2-1) look to maintain their place at the top of USL First Division standings when they host Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers (4-3-4) on Saturday evening.
Though very busy, the month of May was a highly successful time for Teitur Thordarson's side, as the Whitecaps played no less than eight games during that four-week spell. A record of six wins, one defeat, and a draw were earned last month, with four of those victories coming on the road. In fact, the Whitecaps have yet to lose or concede on their travels this season.
With those results helping Vancouver to the top of the league standings, Thordarson will hope to make improvements on their home form when they host Cascadia Cup rivals Portland for the second game of a Wendy's Family Night doubleheader at Swangard Stadium. The men's team's last home encounter was a disappointing one, as the Sounders men recorded a 2-0 victory at Swangard on May 23.
Saturday's match will be the 34th meeting between these two regional rivals, with the Whitecaps currently leading the overall series of results with 18 wins, eight defeats, and seven draws. Vancouver have also dominated the Timbers at home, having recorded 13 wins, one defeat, and two draws when they have hosted the Oregon outfit. One of those home victories came on July 9, 2005, as the Whitecaps defeated Portland 4-0 at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, BC.
The Timbers will surely be looking to avenge their May 24 home defeat to the Whitecaps, as Vicente Arze's first-ever goal for the club helped Vancouver claim their first win in Portland since July 2, 2004.
Complete men's match preview: www.whitecapsfc.com/schedule/match06070803.aspx
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