Whitecaps Draw Miami 2-2
June 10, 2006 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
take on Miami FC and was treated to a firey contest which included a wild finish. A dramatic 90th minute goal by Brazilian legend Romario looked like it would hold up as the winner for the visitors, but the Whitecaps responded with an even more dramatic injury-time equaliser from veteran Steve Kindel to make it a 2-2 final.
The Caps started brightly, jumping to an early lead on a goal by Jeff Clarke. But the home side was reduced to ten men just past the half-hour mark, as referee Hu Liu sent off defender Geordie Lyall with two yellow cards in five minutes. That put Vancouver on the defensive for much of the match, and allowed Miami to stage a second-half comeback.
The Caps record goes to 3W-1L-5T for 14 point, moving Vancouver into second place in the USL First Division, level on points with Portland but with a game in hand. Miami go to 3-2-4 for 13 points and remain in fifth spot.
The Whitecaps now play four straight on the road, starting Saturday in Portland against the Timbers. Their next home game is Sunday, June 23, against the Puerto Rico Islanders. The Whitecaps Women meanwhile host the Mile High Edge of Golden, Colorado on Saturday, June 10, in a 7:00 p.m. start at Swangard.
Scoring Summary:
8' Vanc Jeff Clarke (Martin Nash)
Geordie Lyall fed the ball to Nash wide right, and his superb outswinging cross was met by the head of Jeff Clarke flying through the air. Clarke powered it in for his first of the season.
63' Miami Mario Rodriguez (Sean Fraser) Fraser deep on the right
crossed to Rodriguez, and his looping header found its way in at the far post.
90' Miami Romario (Mario Rodriguez)
The ball fell to Romario five yards to the left of goal, and he squeezed a sharp-angle shot past goalkeeper Tony Caig into the net for his fourth of the year.
90'+ Vanc Steve Kindel (Adrian Cann)
Martin Nash and then Adrian Cann both tried to hammer the ball at net, with the ball running to Steve Kindel in front, and from eight yards he controlled and drilled it home for his first of the season. It came four minutes into injury time, with only seconds left in the game.
Game Notes:
Tony Caig made two big saves within a minute to keep it at 1-0. At 12' a swerving shot-cross from the left by Walter Ramirez was touched against the bar by Caig. Then at 13', Caig made a great diving stop to push wide a 35-yard blast from Mike Erush that was earmarked for the top right corner.
The Whitecaps thought they had been awarded a penalty kick at 23' when referee Hu Liu pointed to the spot after Miami defender Mike Adeyimi took down Joey Gjertsen at the edge of the box. But after consulting with assistant referee Paul Ward, Liu instead gave Vancouver a free kick just outside the penalty area. From that free kick, Martin Nash's cross was almost deflected into his own goal by Miami's JP Rodrigues, but the ball hit the post.
Romario had his first good chance to score at 39' when Tony Caig couldn't hold a booming shot from Allen Handy, and Romario fired the rebound well over from six yards. He had another great chance at 86', when he spun and shot from six yards out, but sent the ball eight yards wide.
Joey Gjertsen almost added to his league-leading goal total with some quick breaks in the second half. His shot from the right at 51' was saved, and he hit the side netting from space on the left at 68'.
Alfredo Valente played his 200th career game.
Midfielder Martin Nash has played 45 consecutive games, spanning three seasons. He now leads the league in assists with four.
Defender Steve Klein has played every minute (810) for Vancouver this season.
Before the game, the Whitecaps announced the signing of former US National Team defender Ryan Suarez, a five-year veteran of Major League Soccer. He will join the team in Portland. It was also announced that defender Kevin Harmse has been released. Harmse has not played this season due to injury, and wishes to explore his options overseas.
Whitecaps: 1.Tony Caig - 12.Geordie Lyall, 3.Steve Klein, 4.Adrian Cann, 22.John Jones, 20.Dave Morris - 2.Jeff Clarke, 7.Martin Nash, 9.Alfredo Valente (8.Steve Kindel 32'), 6.Jay Alberts (19.Sita-Taty Matondo 57') - 17.Joey Gjertsen, 20.Dave Morris
Miami: 1.Chris Doyle - 2.Allen Handy (7.Sean Fraser 45'), 23.Mike Erush, 5.JP Rodriguez, 13.Walter Ramirez (3.Tre Lee 80') - 24.Mike Adeyemi (15.Fabian Sandoval 26'), 18.Oscar Gil (14.Jamil Jean-Jacques 80'), 16.John Pulido, 10.Zinho - 9.Mario Rodriguez, 11.Romario
USL First Division Stories from June 10, 2006
- Portland takes a point against Northwest rivals - Portland Timbers
- Siverbacks stump defending champs 3-1 - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Whitecaps Draw Miami 2-2 - Vancouver Whitecaps
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