
Whitecaps and Thunder Tie 0-0
Published on August 10, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Whitecaps closed out a difficult three-game road trip by battling to a scoreless tie with the Minnesota Thunder. Both teams had chances, with Vancouver the stronger side to start the game, and Minnesota coming on in the second half. The best chance though for either team was a clean breakaway by league leading scorer Jason Jordan in the 89th minute, but he was stopped by 6' 5" Thunder goalkeeper Joe Warren.
Mike Franks made seven saves off 13 shots to pick up his seventh shutout of the season, while Warren was credited with six saves on nine shots for his third clean sheet, and second in as many games.
The Whitecaps went .500 on this trip, with a record of 1-1-1, and moved their season total to 9-4-8 for 35 points. That puts Vancouver in a three-way tie for third place, along with the Seattle Sounders and the Richmond Kickers, although the Caps do have a game in hand on Richmond.
The Whitecaps now look forward to a three-game home stand, starting Sunday, August 14, against the Richmond Kicker in a 7:00pm start at Swangard. The Caps defeated Richmond 2-0 in their previous game on this trip. This will be only the second time that the Kickers have visited Vancouver, as the Virginia side was defeated 3-2 by the Caps back in 2001.
Scoring Summary:
no goals
Game Notes:
The Whitecaps were all over their hosts in the early stages, and had several good chances. Steve Klein volleyed over the bar just two minutes in. Steve Kindel twice set up Alfredo Valente in the box, at 8' and 9', but the striker's shot was blocked both times. Vancouver's best chance of the first half though was a cheeky back-heel effort by Martin Nash at 14', but the keeper was well positioned to make the stop.
Minnesota's best chance of the first half was a shot by John Menyongar, which was stopped by a good reaction save from Franks.
Minnesota had more of the play in the second half, but couldn't beat Mike Franks in goal. Jay Alberts blasted a good shot just over the bar at 55'; striker Melvin Tarley had a great chance at 56' when he was sent in on goal, but Franks came out to stop him, and though Tarley headed the rebound dangerously to the front of goal, the Vancouver defence was able to clear. Franks then made another good stop off Chris Brunt at 60'.
Minnesota's best chance of the game came from a turnover at 62' after a poor back pass by defender Geordie Lyall, but with a half an empty net to shoot at, Melvin Tarley fired wide.
Jason Jordan was involved in Vancouver's best chances of the second half. At 61', he did well to hold the ball in traffic before dishing to Jeff Clarke whose shot was stopped by the keeper. At 72' the ball bounced Jordan's way in front, but his quick shot on the turn was saved by Joe Warren. Finally at 89' Jordan took advantage of a terrible giveaway by the Minnesota defence to break in all alone, but the big keeper came out and made the game-saving stop.
Steve Kindel got the start, to run his consecutive game streak to 57.
Vancouver has totalled just five goals in 11 games all-time in Minnesota, where the Thunder hold a decided advantage in the series at 7-2-2. It's a very different story at Swangard though, where these two teams will meet on August 20, as the Caps have won nine straight at home against Minnesota.
Jason Jordan's next game will be the 200th of his career.
USL First Division Stories from August 10, 2005
- Whitecaps and Thunder Tie 0-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers gain key win at Montreal - Portland Timbers
- Kick it up Sunday with the Caps - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers hit the road to Montreal, Minnesota - Portland Timbers
- Lynx and Rochester Meet in Home-and-Home Series - Toronto Lynx
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