Whitecaps Claim 1-0 Victory
March 31, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed their third victory of the pre-season after a 1-0 win over a British Columbia Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) Selects on Wednesday.
A first-half penalty by striker Marlon James gave Teitur Thordarson's side the result in their latest tune-up ahead of the start of the 2010 USSF D-2 Pro League season. Though the BC CIS Selects made the friendly a competitive match-up on the turf at the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Thunderbird Park, the Blue and White always looked a threat in attack throughout the 90-minute contest.
A sunny spring afternoon greeted both teams, with UBC head coach Mike Mosher forced into selecting players from three other Lower Mainland universities in Simon Fraser University (SFU), Trinity Western University, and University of the Fraser Valley after his Thunderbirds squad was hit by a number of recent injury problems. His starting XI included Whitecaps goalkeeper Simon Thomas - who played the first 45 minutes for the select team - while former Whitecaps Prospects member Ashley Ankiewicz started in Mosher's backline. Former Whitecaps Residency midfielder Devin Gunenc came on as a substitute.
Thordarson's starting XI included a new role for centre back Luca Bellisomo, who performed admirably in central midfield during Wednesday's friendly. The former SFU star was particularly effective as a ball winner versus for the 'Caps, with the 23-year-old showing his versatility to the men's team coaching staff.
The first half saw the 'Caps create the majority of the goalscoring opportunities. On six minutes, captain Martin Nash forced a fine save from Thomas with his well struck free kick, with the ball also coming off the woodwork before it was cleared to safety. Dever Orgill, who was partnered up front with James in the first half, also forced saves from his Whitecaps teammate on 11 and 28 minutes.
James was next to squander a fine chance on 36 minutes. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international completely misconnected in front of goal after Wes Knight neatly nodded down Ansu Toure's cross into the big forward's path.
However, James would find the scoresheet from the penalty spot two minutes later after BC CIS Selects defender Graeme Webber had brought down Orgill in the box. James stepped up and beat Thomas for a 1-0 lead.
The Whitecaps went on to finish the half strongly, with Orgill's header just missing the target from Toure's dangerous cross on 41 minutes, while centre back Nelson Akwari was also unfortunate not to score on a header off a Nash cross three minutes later. It meant the Whitecaps took a one-goal lead into the halftime break.
Complete match report: whitecapsfc.com/men/schedule/2010_03_31_at_UBC_Thunderbirds.aspx
North American Soccer League Stories from March 31, 2010
- Whitecaps Claim 1-0 Victory - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Rhinos Individual Game Tickets On-Sale April 5th - Rochester Rhinos
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.
