Whitecaps Claim Huge Win In Toronto

Published on July 1, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps men defeated Major League Soccer side Toronto FC 1-0 in a pulsating Nutrilite Canadian Championship contest at BMO Field on Canada Day.

Martin Nash's first-half penalty gave the Whitecaps the three points that they required to keep themselves in the three-club competition after losing their opening two tournament encounters to USL First Division rivals Montreal Impact. The goal was well deserved for the visitors, who showed their more high-profile hosts that they are capable of playing against and beating MLS opposition, even in the intimidating confines of Toronto FC's home stadium.

Though they had to weather an onslaught of pressure in the dying stages of the game, Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly was simply brilliant in goal for the USL-1 club, as the Whitecaps unceremoniously ended TFC's unbeaten home streak that goes back to September 22, 2007. The result was also Vancouver's first goal and points in the competition, with one more tournament game remaining at home to TFC next week.

With defenders Adrian Cann and Chris Pozniak having now left the club since last Wednesday's 2-0 home defeat to the Impact, Omar Jarun returned to the starting line-up in the centre of defence to partner new captain Jeff Clarke. Alfredo Valente, meanwhile, also came into the starting XI on the left side of midfield, as Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson played in his usual 4-4-2 formation.

TFC head coach John Carver, meanwhile, made one change to the side that lost 2-1 away to New England Revolution in MLS last Saturday, as Canadian international Greg Sutton replaced Brian Edwards in goal for the home side, who played in a 4-3-3 formation.

On a sunny and breezy Canada Day afternoon, a full and typically loud BMO Field crowd seemed bemused by Vancouver's fine first-half display, as even the presence of former English Premier League stars Darren Huckerby and Paul Dickov in the stands did little to faze Thordarson's men on a warm Tuesday afternoon.

It was Laurent Robert that had the first couple of chances for TFC, but his first free kick in the opening minute flew over Nolly's crossbar before the Frenchman struck another fierce set-piece right into the arms of the Whitecaps goalkeeper minutes later.

The intensity of the contest was underlined on 10 minutes, as Canadian international teammates Nash and Brennan got into a shoving match and an exchange of words, with referee Steve DePiero booking the pair as a result. The yellow card for Brennan means the TFC captain will miss the July 9 trip to Vancouver, as it was his second booking in the tournament.

As is with most visiting teams taking corners at BMO Field, Whitecaps midfielder Justin Moose took a barrage of streamers from the home crowd before playing his set-piece into the box on 13 minutes, while Brennan struck a shot wide for the home side five minutes later. Just past the midway point of the first half, Sebrango headed a Hirano cross wide of goal before Robert hit a rasping shot that was well saved by Nolly for a corner.

Vancouver's confidence grew as the half wore on, with Nicholas Addlery scaring the home fans with a long-distance drive that flew just wide of the target, but they would be left in shock a few minutes later, as Vancouver were awarded a penalty after Brennan was adjudged by referee DePiero to have brought down Clarke in the Toronto box, while Moose played in another Whitecaps corner from the left.

Nash stepped up to hit the spot kick coolly past Sutton with his right foot for a 1-0 lead on 36 minutes, as the BMO Field was left silent by the seemingly surprising scoreline. The midfielder's goal also notched himself a place in the history books as the first Canadian-born opposing player to score against TFC at BMO Field. "I usually go that way," Nash told whitecapsfc.com of his penalty into the right side of the goal. "I've played with Greg Sutton before, and I thought that he might dive that way, so I held on for a little bit and saw him dive the other way before putting my shot in that side."

The goal spurred more attacking endeavour from the Whitecaps, with Japanese left fullback Takashi Hirano given time and space to tee up a shot that flew just wide of the TFC goal, while two minutes at the other end, Jarun did extremely well to cut out Marvell Wynne's fine run and cross for a corner.

Then just before the 45-minute mark, the Whitecaps were unlucky not to score a second goal, as Sutton stopped Sebrango's downward header with his legs after Valente played a fine cross over from the left. "We should have scored three today," Nash said after the game. "I should have scored on my chance late in the second half and Eddy should have buried his chances, but it just didn't happen. Nonetheless, we held on for the win."

Clearly not happy with the proceedings in the first half, Carver used up his three substitutions for the start of the second half, as Robert, Danny Dichio, and Rohan Ricketts all made way for Julius James, Jarrod Smith, and Jeff Cunningham.

On 47 minutes, Nolly looked to have been fouled in the Vancouver box by substitute Cunningham, but play went on, and the Whitecaps number one had to make a fine diving save from Maurice Edu.

The desperation in the home side brought loud calls for a penalty from the BMO Field on 54 minutes, but referee DePiero waved away those appeals after Smith fell down in a challenge with Clarke in the Whitecaps box.

Just before the hour mark, Sebrango had another chance to score Vancouver's second goal, but the Cuban hit-man mis-connected with his shot, as the onrushing Sutton was able to save with his legs before the TFC keeper stopped Nash's driven shot from the same sequence.

The midway point of the half saw Diaz Kambere replace the injured Hirano at left fullback, while Vicente Arze came in on the left side of midfield for Valente. There was also an introduction for new arrival Charles Gbeke, as he replaced Sebrango in attack for the first game of his fourth spell with the club after coming to the Whitecaps in a trade from Montreal on Monday, with midfielder Tony Donatelli heading the other way to the Impact.

As the tension rose towards the latter stages of the game, TFC started to apply pressure on the Whitecaps, with Amado Guevara and Smith having chances for the MLS club on 67 and 71 minutes respectively. On 79 minutes, Smith beat Jarun in the Vancouver box before striking a low shot at goal, but Nolly made the first of several top saves to keep TFC out. The next stop came a minute later when 2007 MLS Rookie of the Year Edu drove an effort from the edge of the box that the former Real Salt Lake and DC United keeper spectacularly blocked away.

Then a moment of celebration for the Toronto fans proved all for not, as Cunningham's goal from Smith's through ball was called back for offside, with the TFC forward receiving a booking for his premature celebration with the home fans.

The Nolly goalkeeping show continued on 83 minutes, with the keeper stopping Guevara's curling effort before Brennan struck a shot high over the crossbar. At the other end, Gbeke was unlucky not to get his first Whitecaps goal, as the striker's powerful header from a looping ball in the Toronto box struck the post before falling into the arms of a relieved Sutton a minute later.

The frustration of the home side grew on 86 minutes, as Smith hit the underside of Nolly's crossbar in a scramble from a TFC corner before Brennan inexplicably shot wide right in front of goal.

Toronto's tactics to throw men forward and find an equalizer left space at the back for the Whitecaps to exploit on the counter-attack. On 88 minutes, Nash had a glorious chance to seal the contest after taking Addlery's low cross from the left, but after taking a touch to control the ball, Guevara got back to make a goal-saving tackle for the home side.

It was a pulsating end to a thrilling match in the southern Ontario sunshine, with Nolly called on again to make another excellent stop from Smith in the four minutes of time added on. "For our team to come in here, with the atmosphere that Toronto have and the fact that they have not dropped any games at home this season, it was just exciting," said Tuesday's Man of the Match. "The second half was tough, as they came out for us and threw more people forward, but the guys held on to get the win. We wanted to come here and keep our hopes alive with a win, and that was what we were able to do today. I think today was more exciting than intimidating for us."

90 FULL MINUTES

The final whistle from referee DePiero brought the Whitecaps an historical first win in the inaugural Canadian Championship tournament and likely the plaudits of many who witnessed Tuesday's game at BMO Field and across the country on national television.

Thordarson was unsurprisingly delighted by the effort his side made against their MLS hosts. "I think it was a fantastic game played by two teams that really wanted to play football," he said. "It was very entertaining and open, with a lot of goal chances, and we were able get to away from here with three points. There was fantastic quality on everything that we did. We were good defensively and we worked hard, so I really liked what I saw today. At the end of game, we were probably a bit lucky, but even in the period when we were struggling and pressed back by Toronto, we had a lot of chances. The players deserve all the credit for what they have done, as they were very disciplined and worked fantastically hard. The game against them at home next week will be something we are looking forward to."

Vancouver's final championship game will indeed come at home on Wednesday, July 9, as TFC make their first-ever trip to Vancouver and Swangard Stadium for what will be another pivotal encounter in the three-club competition. Beforehand, Thordarson's men will move on to Upstate New York for a second USL-1 away meeting of the season with Rochester Rhinos at PAETEC Park on Saturday night. TFC, meanwhile, host Mexican giants and 2008 CONCACAF Champions' Cup holders Pachuca in an international friendly at BMO Field on Saturday evening.

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USL First Division Stories from July 1, 2008


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