Seattle tops Vancouver, 4-0
February 22, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
SEATTLE, WA - Vancouver Whitecaps FC suffered a 4-0 setback away to Major League Soccer expansion club Seattle Sounders FC during Sunday's closed-door friendly match on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field.
A pair of first-half goals by Nate Jaqua set Sigi Schmid's side on their way to a first-ever win at their home stadium. Fredy Montero sealed victory for the Sounders with two fine strikes midway through the second half, as the Washington State outfit proved too strong on the day for the defending USL First Division champions.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson started with his usual 4-4-2 formation in the empty confines of Qwest Field, with latest signing Marco Reda partnering Wesley Charles in the centre of the backline, while Charles Gbeke and Marcus Haber started up front. Seattle, meanwhile, included experienced goalkeeper and team captain Kasey Keller in their starting XI, while three former USL-1 players in Osvaldo Alonso, Taylor Graham, and Sebastien Le Toux made Schmid's starting line-up.
Playing in their home colours of green and blue, it was the Sounders that created more of the goalscoring opportunities throughout the 90-minute contest, though Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly was not initially tested when Sanna Nyassi and Alonso struck wide of the target with their early efforts.
The Vancouver number one was called upon moments later to make a brave stop at the feet of fleet-footed Nyassi, who proved to be more than a handful for the Whitecaps defenders down the right-hand side.
The visitors struggled to create as many attacking forays as Seattle in the first half, though Gbeke was presented with the first major opportunity of the opening 45 minutes. Yet, with a clear sight of goal, the Canadian international's low strike was well saved by the outstretched foot of Keller. Moments later, Ansu Toure struck a wayward shot high and wide of the Seattle goal.
USL First Division Stories from February 22, 2009
- Seattle tops Vancouver, 4-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
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