MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps earn 3-2 victory over Minnesota Thunder

Published on May 2, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


BLAINE, MN - Vancouver Whitecaps FC claimed their first road win of the 2009 season after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Minnesota Thunder on Saturday evening.

Making his first-ever start for the 'Caps, striker Marlon James scored a hat-trick to give the Whitecaps a second-straight victory of the year and a major boost of confidence before their midweek visit to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC and their opening match in the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

For the Thunder, defeat on Saturday was a hard pill to swallow in what was the club's home opener at the National Sports Center Stadium. Though Ricardo Sanchez pulled Minnesota back to level terms with two second-half goals, Donny Gramenz's side went down to their third defeat of the season, with the Thunder still looking for their first win after playing their first five matches of the regular season.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made three changes to the side that started last Saturday's 1-0 home win over Portland Timbers. James replaced youngster Marcus Haber in attack, while winger Ansu Toure faced his former club when he took the place of Mason Trafford in midfield. Defender Jeff Parke made his competitive debut for the 'Caps when he replaced Marco Reda to partner Wesley Charles in the centre of Vancouver's backline. Meanwhile, Minnesota made two changes to the side that lost 1-0 at Carolina RailHawks last Sunday. Rod Dyachenko and Dale Weiler replaced Quavas Kirk and Brian Kallman in Gramenz's starting XI.

On a sunny evening in Blaine, Minnesota, it was the Thunder supporters that were left disappointed with the action in the first half, as the Whitecaps - who were playing in their home kit of all white - dominated proceedings right up until the break.

Vancouver threatened as early as three minutes in, but striker Charles Gbeke had his goal-bound shot blocked away by the Thunder defenders on the edge of the Minnesota box. Three minutes later, Toure looked to score against his old club, but the Liberian winger's long-range effort sailed high and wide of the target.

Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly faced little work during the opening 45 minutes, as Minnesota struggled to penetrate the visitors' solid rearguard. On seven minutes, Thunder striker Leonel Saint-Preux rolled a tight-angle shot across the face of Vancouver's goal and wide after taking a forward pass from Rich Costanzo.

At the other end, Thunder goalkeeper Nicolas Platter was called on to make a routine save from James, as the big striker's header did not trouble the Minnesota number one on 14 minutes. Seven minutes later, Gbeke put a header of his own wide of goal after connecting with a Luca Bellisomo cross from the left.

On 25 minutes, the Thunder saw a second chance go begging after Melvin Tarley headed Weiler's cross from the left wide of the far post. Two minutes later, Toure was unlucky not to score the game's opening goal after heading Takashi Hirano's dangerous cross into the Thunder side-netting.

The Whitecaps were getting control of the contest at this stage, and on the half-hour mark, Platter did well to deny James from getting his head on Toure's cross into the Thunder box.

Then after Minnesota midfielder Lawrence Olum had headed Sanchez's corner wide of the Whitecaps goal on 35 minutes, the visitors went right up the other end and claimed the lead through James.

Whitecaps captain Martin Nash intercepted the ball before finding the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international with a forward pass. The striker then played a give-and-go with Gbeke, with the return ball freeing James to make a run into the Thunder box and finish with the outside of his right foot past a helpless Platter for his first competitive Whitecaps goal.

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