Whitecaps Destroy Minnesota, 4-0
July 10, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps FC cruised to a 4-0 home win over Minnesota Thunder in USL First Division action on Thursday evening.
A first-half strike by Lyle Martin set the Blue and White on their way to a morale-boosting victory following an extended break from action. A second-half Martin Nash penalty doubled the Whitecaps advantage before late strikes by Charles Gbeke and Marcus Haber completed a four-goal rout of the USL-1's bottom club at Swangard Stadium. It was Vancouver's biggest victory in exactly four years. On July 9, 2005, the 'Caps defeated Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers 4-0 at Swangard.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made four changes to the side that started the 2-2 away draw with Cleveland City Stars on June 23. Defender Wesley Charles and striker Gbeke returned to action for the first time since their two-match suspension for their unsportsmanlike behaviour during Vancouver's last home match versus Miami FC Blues on June 12. Charles partnered the fit-again Jeff Parke in the centre of the Whitecaps backline, while Gbeke partnered Haber in attack. Thordarson also gave winger Tyrell Burgess his first-ever start for the club on the left-hand side of midfield. Included on the substitutes bench were experienced defender Geordie Lyall, who returned after a lengthy injury lay-off, and youngster Philippe Davies.
Minnesota head coach Donny Gramenz, meanwhile, made two changes to the side that started last Saturday's 1-1 home draw with Portland Timbers. Former Canadian youth international Andres Arango replaced Jonathan Greenfield in defence, while Nathan Knox took the place of Lawrence Olum in the starting XI, with the Thunder playing in an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation.
Before kickoff, both Charles and Gbeke paraded around the Swangard pitch with a Whitecaps flag in a show of solidarity that earned the pair a standing ovation from the supporters.
A sold-out Swangard crowd of 5,568 saw the Whitecaps pose more of a threat during the opening half of play, which was played in beautiful summer conditions.
Burgess' inclusion to the 'Caps starting line-up look to be a wise move by Thordarson, with the Bermuda international firing a shot just wide of the Minnesota far post inside the first 30 seconds of the match. On three minutes, the winger found the target with a right-footed effort from Gordon Chin's through ball, but Thunder goalkeeper Nicolas Platter was on hand to make the save.
The direct attacking style of the Whitecaps forced the Minnesota backline on their heels, and on seven minutes, the home side made the breakthrough with some excellent athleticism from Martin. The right-sided winger was able to get on the end of Nash's forward ball, as he outpaced Thunder defender Chris Clements to win possession on the edge of the visitors' box before drilling a right-footed shot past Platter for his first goal of the season and second goal in a Whitecaps uniform.
It was a bright and positive by the 'Caps, who were looking to get back into the swing of things after an extensive break. Yet, credit to Minnesota, they remained a threat going forward, with crafty midfielder Rod Dyachenko rolling a shot wide of the Whitecaps goal on 14 minutes.
Chances were then traded at both ends, with Gbeke seeing his goal-bound strike well blocked away by Arango on 21 minutes following a dangerous Martin cross from the right. Three minutes later, Thunder striker Brian Cvilikas squandered a glorious chance to equalize for the visitors when he failed to connect with Melvin Tarley's byline cutback in front of the 'Caps goal.
Cvilikas was then guilty of missing a second major opportunity for Minnesota on 31 minutes. He beat the Vancouver offside trap in getting on the end of Clements' forward ball before running in on goal. With Parke chasing back to close the forward down, Cvilikas was unable to test Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly with his strike, as his effort flew high and wide from close range.
Though the Thunder had chances, the Whitecaps posed more problems to Minnesota during the opening 45 minutes, with Vancouver having the last opportunity of the half in the one minute of time added on. Nash's corner from the right found Gbeke at the far post. The striker's header looked destined for the back of the net, but Thunder captain Jeremiah Bass was on hand to make a fine goalline clearance for the visitors.
It meant the Whitecaps took a one-goal lead into halftime.
Thordarson made one change for the start of the second half, with Mason Trafford replacing Parke at centre back before the restart.
Having shown more than enough ability to pull themselves back in the match, Minnesota created the first set of chances in the half from two Ricardo Sanchez free kicks. However, on both occasions, the Mexican midfielder's set-pieces could only find the arms of Nolly on 47 and 49 minutes, with the second free kick being a well-struck effort from 35 yards out.
On 62 minutes, Cvilikas missed another big chance to equalize for Minnesota. Andrew Peterson's forward ball saw Charles fail to clear with his attempted header near the halfway line. This allowed Cvilikas to make another dangerous run in on Nolly's goal, but his effort went wide of the target from close range.
Charles' evening then came to an end five minutes later, as Lyall brought smiles to Whitecaps supporters when he came on for his first home appearance of the season to partner fellow substitute Trafford in central defence.
Then after Thunder substitute Geoffrey Myers missed yet another chance to equalize for the visitors, the Whitecaps made Minnesota pay by scoring a second goal from the penalty spot after match referee Mathieu Bourdeau had adjudged Thunder defender Quavas Kirk to have brought down Burgess in his own box, with the Bermuda international doing well to get on the end of Nash's forward ball. Nash himself stepped up to convert the spot kick with his right foot for a 2-0 Whitecaps lead on 71 minutes.
Vancouver's second goal soon opened the floodgates, with the 'Caps scoring their third goal eight minutes later. Nash was again the provider with another forward ball that found Haber down the right flank. The Canadian youth international was able to stay onside before making a run into the Thunder box and deliver a fine low cross into the path of Gbeke. Haber's cross allowed the big striker to redirect his finish home with ease for a 3-0 Vancouver lead.
It proved to be Gbeke's last contribution to the contest, with youngster Dever Orgill replacing him before play resumed. On 81 minutes, the Jamaican youth international made an immediate impact by setting the Whitecaps fourth goal. He won a challenge for the ball with Minnesota substitute Kevin Friedland, with the ball falling into the path of the unmarked Haber on the right flank. The striker was able to race towards goal before drilling a shot past Platter for 4-0.
The late goals generated a party-like atmosphere around Swangard, with more club history being made moments later. Whitecaps Residency midfielder Davies made his competitive debut for the men's team when he replaced Wes Knight. On 86 minutes, the Longueuil, Quebec, native came very close to scoring a fifth goal for Vancouver, but his left-footed strike from the edge of the Thunder box was well tipped over his crossbar by Platter.
Though the Thunder had two late chances to deny Nolly a clean sheet in the three minutes of time added on, the final whistle confirmed a satisfying home win for the Whitecaps, as they look to push themselves back up the USL-1 standings. Minnesota, meanwhile, are still searching for a league victory on the road this season, with the Thunder remaining rooted to the bottom of the league table.
Martin underlined the importance of Thursday's win. "That was big for us, tonight," he told reporters after the match. "We need to get the first half of the season behind us and get on to the second half of the campaign and start putting together some wins. We got a number of games in hand, so that bodes well for us. We had a couple of fitness sessions in training last week and that proved beneficial for us tonight. I hope everybody will go home tonight and think about the goals we scored this evening. It was great for all concerned."
Thordarson echoed the sentiments of his speedy winger, having been left delighted by his side's overall performance. "It was a great win and one that was very important for us," he told reporters. "We had a very good training period since we reassembled after the break, so it was very satisfying to start back in this fashion with a big win. We not only scored four goals, but we also played very well. At 1-0, I was keen to kill the game off, as Minnesota remain a dangerous team for me. In the end, I was pleased we were able to see out the game as comfortably as we did."
The Whitecaps will have little time to savour Thursday's victory, as they head to South Florida for a Sunday evening encounter with Miami FC. The Thunder, meanwhile, return home for a four-match home stand, beginning with Saturday's game versus another Canadian opponent in Montreal Impact in Blaine, Minnesota.
USL First Division Stories from July 10, 2009
- Rhinos Transfer Mauricio Salles - Rochester Rhinos
- Aztex Try to Rebound at Home Against Portland Timbers - Austin Aztex
- Impact faces Thunder on Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Timbers Head South to Face Austin Saturday - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps Destroy Minnesota, 4-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Thunder Fall to Vancouver Whitecaps 4-0 - Minnesota Thunder
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.
