Puerto Rico Islanders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Finish 0-0
September 5, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
BURNABY, BC - In the final game of a two-match home stand, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-3L-14D) were held to a goalless draw by USL Conference club Puerto Rico Islanders (8W-8L-9D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Sunday afternoon.
Despite creating several goalscoring chances and outshooting their opponents 12 to four, the NASL Conference leaders were again left frustrated by a lack of finish in front of goal and a solid defensive rearguard from the current Caribbean club champions at Swangard Stadium. The weekend clash also proved to be a physical contest, as a total of six yellow cards were issued by match referee John Oliva.
Sunday's draw pulled the Blue and White to within a point of securing a USSF D-2 playoff spot, with Vancouver maintaining their undefeated home record all-time versus the Islanders at 5W-0L-3D. The result also extended the 'Caps undefeated streak in the league to eight games (2W-0L-6D), with the club having lost only once in their last 19 matches this season.
Whitecaps FC head coach Teitur Thordarson gave new signing Gershon Koffie his Vancouver debut in central midfield on Sunday, while striker Cody Arnoux started his first home match for the 'Caps. Greg Janicki returned at centre back after missing last weekend's game through suspension. Puerto Rico head coach Colin Clarke, meanwhile, included former Whitecaps striker Josh Hansen in his starting XI.
With the Labour Day weekend in full swing, a sold-out Swangard crowd of 5,288 were treated to a competitive first half of action, as both sides played a direct, attack-minded style of soccer.
The early stages saw Vancouver's Ridge Mobulu and Puerto Rico's Kendall Jagdeosingh have early opportunities, while on 19 minutes, 'Caps centre back Luca Bellisomo put a close-range header over the Islanders crossbar after Mobulu flicked Wes Knight's cross to the defender in the Islanders box.
As the opening half wore on, 'Caps fans started to see some of the promising qualities of Vancouver's summer transfer acquisitions. West African youngster Koffie looked steady in central midfield, while Arnoux and Mobulu each showed a burst of pace that kept Puerto Rico's defenders on their toes.
The visitors - known by Islanders fans as 'La Tropa Naranja' (The Orange Troop) - have players that are a handful when given the opportunity. On 31 minutes, Puerto Rico created two dangerous chances. The first saw Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly swat away Hansen's byline cross from the left before the home side had to scramble the ball away again from their own box after Richard Martinez's run and low cross had initially found Hansen at the far post.
Just before halftime, the new Whitecaps players tried their best to break the deadlock. On 44 minutes, Koffie headed Philippe Davies' free kick just over the Puerto Rico crossbar, while in the two minutes of time added on, Arnoux threatened the Islanders goal with a dangerous run from the halfway line, but his tame strike brought a routine stop from a diving Bill Gaudette in the Puerto Rico net.
It meant both sides went to the break tied at 0-0.
The second half saw Vancouver have more intent to find a breakthrough, with Thordarson's side applying good pressure shortly after the restart. Again, it was Vancouver's newcomers that looked to make a difference, with Arnoux going off-target with a strike on 48 minutes, while Koffie was far from accurate with his left foot eight minutes later.
As the contest hit the hour mark, Thordarson freshened his attack by bringing on striker Jonathan McDonald and Vancouver native Alex Elliott for Arnoux and Davies. For McDonald, it was the forward's first appearance on the Swangard pitch since appearing for his native Costa Rica in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup when he scored a dramatic winning goal versus Scotland.
The dreadlocked Central American nearly made a decisive impact two minutes later, but Islanders defender David Horst did well to block McDonald's close-range strike for goal after Knight found him in the Puerto Rico box with a low cross. Two minutes later, 'Caps captain Martin Nash struck the side-netting with a half-hit volleyed shot.
At the other end, Puerto Rico's only notable chance in the second half was a dangerous one, but though he was left unmarked in front of the Vancouver goal, Jagdeosingh put his header wide of the near post on 65 minutes.
Looking for an upswing in fortune, Thordarson replaced one Whitecaps FC debutant for another on 70 minutes. Cameroon youth international Alexandre Morfaw made his Vancouver bow when he replaced Koffie in central midfield. There was also a late introduction of youngster Randy Edwini-Bonsu on 76 minutes.
With 'Caps fans desiring to see a winner in the late stages, Edwini-Bonsu came ever so close to scoring his second goal of the season on 85 minutes. Elliott took a pass from McDonald before neatly turning by his Puerto Rico marker into the visitors' box. His cutback cross found the Canadian international, but Edwini-Bonsu's header flew wide of the target.
More than six minutes of time added on were played at the end of the match, and although McDonald headed Edwini-Bonsu's cross from the right over the Puerto Rico crossbar, no more goal chances were created once referee Oliva blew his final whistle.
90 FULL MINUTES
Whitecaps FC will now look ahead to their last-ever regular season road trip as a North American second division club, starting with a visit to Towson, Maryland, to take on NASL Conference rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore next Saturday night. Meanwhile, Puerto Rico return home to prepare for another Canadian opponent, as they host Montreal Impact on Wednesday evening.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 5, 2010
- Puerto Rico Islanders, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Finish 0-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Miami FC Dealt a Tough Road Loss to AC St. Louis - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Mexican Legend Debuts in RailHawks' 3-0 Victory Over Pumas Morelos - North Carolina FC
- Midfielder Terry Dunfield Called up by Canada - Vancouver Whitecaps
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
