USSF D-2 North Carolina FC

RailHawks And Whitecaps Are Held In 1-1 Draw

Published on June 10, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
North Carolina FC News Release


In their final home game before an extended five-match road trip, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-2L-4D) were held to a 1-1 home draw by NASL Conference rivals Carolina RailHawks (3W-2L-4D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Wednesday evening.

Ansu Toure's neat finish gave the Whitecaps a first-half lead, but a penalty just before halftime by Carolina's Etienne Barbara meant these two evenly-matched sides had to settle for a share of the spoils at Swangard Stadium. Wednesday's result sees Vancouver stay at the top of the NASL Conference standings, as they remain three points ahead of second-place Carolina. The Whitecaps also remain undefeated at home in the league with a record of 4W-0L-3D, while the RailHawks are still unbeaten on the road in USSF D-2 at 2W-0L-4D.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made two changes for the midweek clash. Greg Janicki returned to centre back after missing the last three matches with an ankle injury, as he replaced the suspended Luca Bellisomo. Ansu Toure, meanwhile, came in for Justin Moose on the left-hand side of midfield.

The 4,941 in attendance at Swangard saw a bright start from the home side, as Vancouver looked to end their last home match of the month in positive fashion. On seven minutes, Zurab Tsiskaridze curled a left-footed free kick from the edge of the Carolina box that RailHawks goalkeeper Eric Reed strangely opted to punch away from danger on his goal line. A minute later, Martin Nash struck a first-time shot that flew just wide of the target after central midfield partner Jonny Steele had set up the Whitecaps captain at the top of the visitors' box.

As good as the 'Caps were right from the opening kickoff, Carolina started to show the qualities that have led them through a challenging four-match road trip with plenty of success. A large portion of the opening half saw the RailHawks play some fluid passing soccer in their 4-5-1 formation. The best opportunity to come from that spell was on 19 minutes, as midfielder Matt Watson headed a forward ball past 'Caps goalkeeper Jay Nolly, but wide of the far post.

Yet, Carolina were not alone in playing some flowing soccer. On 31 minutes, the Whitecaps broke the deadlock with a fine bit of play themselves. Steele made an overlapping run to the left flank, where he fed a pass to a forward-charging Tsiskaridze. The Georgian's low cross then deflected into the path of Ansu Toure, who cleverly knocked the ball past Reed for his second goal of the year.

It was a well-worked goal by Vancouver, but Carolina seemed unfazed to be behind, as they responded with a decent chance on 43 minutes. Marcus Haber's clearance to a RailHawks free kick dropped kindly for Barbara on the edge of the Whitecaps box. The Malta international's shot then deflected off the foot of Carolina midfielder Brad Rusin, but safely into the hands of Nolly.

To their credit, the RailHawks remained persistent. In the two minutes of time added on, Carolina were awarded a penalty after match referee David Barrie adjudged that 'Caps centre back Nelson Akwari had pulled down Barbara just inside the Vancouver box. Barbara himself stepped up to slot his spot kick past Nolly and make it 1-1. It was the Carolina forward's fifth goal of the season and the first league goal to be conceded at home by the Whitecaps.

With the equalizer coming just before the break, the halftime whistle from referee Barrie resulted in a chorus of boos from the Swangard crowd and Thordarson expressing his displeasure to the officials regarding the penalty decision.

With the match back in the balance, the early stages of the second half gave a glimpse of what may have been an entertaining second half of action. On 51 minutes, RailHawks midfielder Josh Gardner did well to elude his marker Wes Knight before striking a low drive that was well saved by Nolly, with Akwari then needing to clear the rebound away for a Carolina corner. Four minutes later, Vancouver had a chance to restore their lead, but Haber could not cap the final home match of his current loan spell with a goal, as his far-post header from Steele's cross flew just over Reed's crossbar.

Those early chances ended up being the extent of what was produced by either side after the break, with Reed not troubled by a Philippe Davies' header, as he confidently tipped the ball over his own crossbar on 67 minutes.

The midway point of the half saw both teams make several substitutions, with Ricardo Sanchez and Doudou Toure coming on for the Blue and White. However, Doudou Toure's appearance lasted only a few minutes, as the young Mauritanian was forced off with an injury after falling awkwardly in an aerial challenge for the ball just seconds after coming on the pitch. On 74 minutes, Moose was summoned to replace the teenage striker.

With the match edging towards a drawn result, even the late introductions of Vancouver's Randy Edwini-Bonsu and Takashi Hirano did not bring the desired change in fortunes that Thordarson was hoping for. The last opportunities fell to the home side, with Edwini-Bonsu rolling a shot into the arms of Reed in the 90th minute, while Knight drilled a strike high and wide of the target in the four minutes of time added on.

In the end, a stalemate between Vancouver and Carolina was what had to be settled on by both sides, though the Whitecaps will again be disappointed not to have taken more of their chances during Wednesday's contest.

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U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 10, 2010


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