Whitecaps clinch playoff berth
Published on August 30, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps clinched a playoff berth for the ninth consecutive year last weekend by virtue of their 2-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday. In the Whitecaps 19 year history they have only missed the playoffs twice, in 1994 and 1996.
The Whitecaps, who are currently in third place with 42 points and an 11-4-9 record, have four games remaining in the regular season. Three consecutive road games kick off tomorrow versus the Montreal Impact at 4:30 p.m. PT (TEAM 1040, RDS), the Toronto Lynx on Friday, September 2 at 5:00 p.m. PT (TEAM 1040, FSC) and the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Sunday, September 4 at 3:05 p.m. PT (TEAM 1040). The Whitecaps return to Swangard for their final regular season home game on Sunday, September 11 at 4:00 pm versus the Impact (TEAM 1040).
The top six teams of the 12-team USL First Division will advance to post-season play. At the conclusion of the regular season, the first and second overall seeds will receive first round byes. All playoff rounds will be two-legged aggregate score series with the exception of the USL First Division Championship with the Host determined on a bid basis to be played on Saturday, October 1st.
The Montreal Impact are currently first overall in the USL First Division with 52 points, and only need three points in their four remaining games to clinch first overall. The Rochester Raging Rhinos presently occupy second place with 45 points, 13-7-6, but only have two games remaining, against the Whitecaps and the 11th place Virginia Beach Mariners. The maximum points the Rhinos can finish with are 51, conversely the Whitecaps have the possibility of finishing with 54 points. There are a number of different scenarios; however, Sunday's match between the Rhinos and Whitecaps will likely decide who finishes second and receives the first round bye.
USL TEAM OF THE WEEK
Whitecaps defender Steve Kindel, midfielder Steve Klein and forward Jason Jordan were all named to the USL First Division Team of the Week for their part in the Whitecaps 2-0 win over Puerto Rico.
WHITECAPS NEXT HOME GAME
The Whitecaps return to Swangard to host their final regular season home game on Sunday, September 11 at 4:00 p.m. PT. September 11 is Fan Appreciation night and less than 1,200 tickets remain! To reserve seats by phone, call Ticketmaster at 604-280-4400 or to purchase online, visit whitecapsfc.com.
USL First Division Stories from August 30, 2005
- Timbers' Alcaraz-Cuellar earns league honor - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps clinch playoff berth - Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL Announces Week 19 Team of the Week - USL-1
- Annual Lynx East meets West night - Toronto Lynx
- Richmond to host celebration in honor of Ukrop - Richmond Kickers
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