Whitecaps Can't Keep Aviators Down
July 5, 2004 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Whitecaps Men saw a 2-0 lead evaporate against the Edmonton Aviators, who battled back to score a last-minute winner. Midfielder Sean Fraser was the hero for the visitors, as he scored late in each half and also assisted on the equaliser. Edmonton had only scored 5 goals in their previous 11 games. Davide Xausa and Alfredo Valente scored in a losing effort for the Whitecaps, while Jason Jordan had two assists.
Vancouver's record goes to 8-5-1 for 25 points as the Caps remain in first place in the West, a point up on both the Portland Timber and Minnesota Thunder, who defeated Seattle 3-0 Sunday night. Portland hold a game in hand. Edmonton improve to 2-4-6, and have won two in a row after going winless in their first ten games.
The Whitecaps next match is Friday July 9, as they host the Seattle Sounders, for the first encounter between the two rivals this season. Game time is 7:00 pm at Swangard Stadium.
match stats standings and stats action photos entertainment photos fan photos McKick Game Notes
Vancouver had two great chances in the opening minutes, as a header from Dave Morris hit the post at 3', and then at 6' the ball bounced to Jason Jordan three yards out who stabbed it at goal, but goalkeeper Jose Luis Campi was somehow able to grab the ball on the line.
In a wild sequence at 36', Alfredo Valente suddenly found himself nose-to-nose with the keeper. His first shot was saved, his second shot was saved, and his third shot going wide was deflected in by Jason Jordan who was called offside.
The assist on Valente's goal was originally awarded to John Sulentic, but was changed at half-time.
The game was the 150th of Steve Kindel's Vancouver career, and the 50th of Nico Craveiro's.
Former Rochester Raging Rhinos defender Fuseini Dauda made his Whitecaps debut, coming into the game in the 80th minute.
Scoring Summary
24' Vanc Alfredo Valente (Jason Jordan) Jordan at the top of the box got it to Valente on the run, and he drilled a low 15-yarder past the keeper for his second of the season.
45' Edm Sean Fraser (Nikki Vignjevic) Vignjevic's ball from midfield found the speedy Fraser breaking, and he beat goalkeeper Alex Marques to the ball at the top of the area, and rolled it into the empty net.
52' Edm Freddy Akok (Sean Fraser) Fraser flicked it on to Akok just inside the area, and he lobbed the bouncing ball over the keeper. Akok had just subbed on at half-time.
89' Edm Sean Fraser (Gordon Chin) Former Whitecap Gordon Chin picked up the ball in the box on the left and lobbed it over to a wide open Sean Fraser in front, who controlled and blasted it home from 8 yards.
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USL First Division Stories from July 5, 2004
- Wave United Weekly - Milwaukee Wave United
- Edmonton Aviators Men VS. Seattle Sounders Men - Edmonton Aviators
- Aviators Men Fly by the Whitecaps After Falling Behind Early - Edmonton Aviators
- Whitecaps Can't Keep Aviators Down - Vancouver Whitecaps
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