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Whitecaps close regular season with 3-2 win

September 21, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps FC completed their USL First Division regular season campaign in fine style after a thrilling 3-2 victory away to Seattle Sounders on Saturday evening.

Despite falling behind to an early goal from Sebastien Le Toux, the Whitecaps scored three unanswered goals in the second half at Starfire Sports Stadium to claim a morale-boosting win before the league playoffs begin next weekend. Eduardo Sebrango equalized for The Blue & White before Justin Moose and Jeff Clarke found the scoresheet in Tukwila, Washington.

Though Kevin Sakuda scored a second goal for the Sounders to make the latter stages of the game interesting, the Whitecaps held on to defeat their Interstate 5 rivals in what may be the final competitive match between both clubs for some time, as Seattle prepare to enter Major League Soccer in 2009. It was also a big night for Whitecaps supporters, as the result meant Vancouver won the fan-based Cascadia Cup for the third time in club history, having first won the trophy back in 2004 and 2005.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made two changes to the side that started last Saturday's 1-0 victory at home to Canadian rivals Montreal Impact. After missing the last four games with a leg injury, Wesley Charles returned to the Vancouver starting XI, as the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international replaced the injured Geordie Lyall in the centre of the Whitecaps backline. In attack, Addlery came in for Charles Gbeke to partner top goalscorer Eduardo Sebrango up front. Among the Whitecaps substitutes was Japanese defender Takashi Hirano, who returned to the 18-man squad after missing last weekend's game with a foot injury.

Sounders head coach Brian Schmetzer, meanwhile, was forced into one change for the second visit of Vancouver this season. Costa Rican defender Michael Rodriguez replaced the injured Taylor Graham in Seattle's defence after he aggravated a hamstring injury in training on Thursday.

Though it was a cool night for soccer in Washington State, a large Starfire Stadium crowd of 4,401 brought plenty of passion to the 111th all-time meeting between these two clubs, with the first-ever match coming back in the former North American Soccer League in 1974. Seattle's Emerald City Supporters unfurled huge flags and were in full voice as usual, but not to be outdone, a hearty band of traveling Whitecaps fans made themselves heard as well during the contest.

Those in attendance were treated to a bright start, with both sides showing plenty of energy in their play from the kickoff. In the opening four minutes, Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly made saves from Leighton O'Brien and Le Toux, while at the other end, Addlery struck a low shot wide of the Seattle goal on five minutes.

The home crowd were then given something to cheer, as the Sounders took the lead through a good finish from Frenchman Le Toux. Goalkeeper Chris Eylander's forward clearance was flicked on by striker Roger Levesque, and after the ball took an unfortunate touch off of Charles' foot, Le Toux broke in and slotted the ball past Nolly for 1-0.

Though they fell behind early, Vancouver's response was positive, as they proceeded to attack their Pacific Northwest rivals. On the quarter-hour mark, Sebrango forced a save from Eylander with a turn and shot after Moose played a ball into the Cuban hit-man on the edge of the Seattle box. On 24 minutes, Martin Nash struck a right-footed free kick that brought a fine diving save from Eylander.

Nash then had what looked to be an even better chance four minutes later, but after taking a superb Alfredo Valente reverse pass on the edge of the Sounders box, the Whitecaps midfielder opted to try an chip Eylander, with his finish floating wide of the target.

Then after Josh Gardner struck a shot high and wide for Seattle on the half-hour mark, Eylander was called on to make a fine save from Addlery on 33 minutes. The Jamaican forward made a fine run before hitting a rasping shot that the Sounders number one tipped over his own crossbar for a Whitecaps corner.

As the half neared the break, Nolly did well to tip away a dangerous Gardner cross from the left on 39 minutes before Nash struck a shot high and wide of the Sounders goal on 44 minutes. Match referee Landis Wiley played very little stoppage time, as both sides headed to their respective dressing rooms for a well-deserved break, with Seattle fortunate to be a goal in front.

The Sounders looked to strike again soon after the game's restart, with Levesque missing a great chance to hit an open target after Le Toux won Kenji Treschuk's cross into the Whitecaps box ahead of Nolly, but the Sounders forward put his effort over the crossbar. A minute later, Levesque was in again with an even better chance, but Nolly made a fine save to deny the home side.

Seattle would rue those missed chances, as the Whitecaps restored parity on 54 minutes with a deflected finish from Sebrango. Nash put a free kick into the Sounders box, where it found Charles at the far post. His header back to Addlery allowed the forward to bounce a half-volleyed effort off his strike partner before the ball struck the inside of the post and bounced into the back of the net for 1-1. The goal meant that Sebrango went past the 100-point mark as a Vancouver player.

Three minutes later, Vancouver took the lead through a fine bit of play from Nolly's forward clearance. The ball found Sebrango, who headed it back to Nash. The midfielder took his time before chipping a fine through ball into the path of Moose, who made a sublime forward run from the right flank to beat Seattle offside trap. The former DC United winger took his time before lobbing the ball over the onrushing Eylander for 2-1.

It was a sensational turnaround by the Whitecaps, who introduced Hirano to proceedings on 62 minutes after Nolly easily saved a Gardner free kick.

After chances were traded at both ends, the Whitecaps struck for a third time on 67 minutes. Moose's corner from the left was flicked on at the near post by a Sounders defender to Whitecaps captain Clarke. The centre back duly headed the ball home to make it 3-1.

It looked like the visitors would cruise to a famous win in Tukwila, but the Sounders made sure it would be a thrilling finish a minute later. Sakuda made a good run from his right fullback position before playing a neat give-and-go with substitute Sanna Nyassi. Despite being at an acute angle in the Whitecaps box, Sakuda struck a fine finish past Nolly to make it 3-2 and bring the crowd back into the match.

Seattle had their tails up about them at this stage, and a minute later, Levesque sailed a header just wide of the far post after the Sounders pressed forward in search of the equalizer.

The four second-half goals made the latter stages of the match one to remember for both sets of fans, with both Seattle and Vancouver pressing forward in search of more goals. Sebrango had the best of the Vancouver opportunities, with his best chance coming on 83 minutes. However, after latching on to a fine through ball from Moose, the Whitecaps marksman rolled his shot just wide.

Three minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the game, but you had the sense that the fans would have wanted the match to continue for much longer - such was the high level of entertainment on offer by both sides.

Yet, like they say, all good things must come to an end, and the final whistle brought the Whitecaps their 15th victory to complete their 30-game regular season schedule, and ensure a first-round playoff series with Minnesota Thunder next weekend. The first leg will be played on Friday, September 26, at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff at 7 p.m. The second leg will take place on Sunday, September 28, at the National Sports Center in Blaine, Minnesota.

Seattle, meanwhile, finish their regular season campaign in sixth place with a record 10 wins, 10 defeats, and 10 draws. They now face third-place Montreal over two legs in their first-round playoff tie, while fourth-place Rochester Rhinos take on fifth-place Charleston Battery in the other first-round playoff clash. Both series will also be played next weekend.

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