Whitecaps Fall to Miami
July 12, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
MIAMI, FL - Vancouver Whitecaps FC fell to a 2-1 away defeat versus Miami FC Blues in USL First Division action on Sunday evening.
An early goal by former Whitecaps striker Alen Marcina helped the South Florida club to their first-ever home win over the Blue and White, with Leo Inacio Nunes scoring Miami FC's winner from the penalty spot midway through the first half.
Despite the sending off of Marcina in the second half and a late goal by youngster Dever Orgill, the Whitecaps were unable to turn the match around at Florida International University Stadium, with the result ending Vancouver's five-match winning streak versus the Blues in Miami.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson named an unchanged side from the line-up that started last Thursday's 4-0 home win over Minnesota Thunder. Blues head coach Zinho, meanwhile, made two changes to the side that started the goalless home draw with Puerto Rico Islanders a week ago Saturday. Kenny Schoeni replaced Pat Hannigan in the Miami goal, while Marcina replaced Colombian striker Diego Serna in the home side's attack.
On a sunny and typical hot day in South Florida, it was the Blues that looked more comfortable in the conditions, as they dominated the first half with composed passing and some incisive combination play going forward.
Miami's intent to attack the 'Caps was evident from the start, with Nunes taking a Paulo Araujo jr. pass on the edge of the Vancouver box before hitting weak shot that Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly was able to save with ease on two minutes.
The early chance was only the start of things to come, as Miami took the lead on three minutes later through Marcina. Tim Merritt's cross from the right was redirected into the path of the Surrey, BC, native by the chest of Nunes. As the 'Caps looked for an offside decision, Marcina kept his composure to beat Nolly with a low right-footed shot for the opening goal of the match.
The Whitecaps were struggling to deal with Miami's forays into their own box, and on eight minutes, Marcina should have doubled the Blues' lead after taking a fine through ball on the edge of the 'Caps box before beating Wesley Charles and Takashi Hirano. With only Nolly to beat, the striker hit his shot high and wide of the target - much to the relief of the visitors.
The Blues' one-touch passing play was unsettling the Vancouver backline, and on the quarter-hour mark, Nolly was unable to deal with another Miami breakthrough into his own box, however, the 'Caps were able to clear the danger.
Yet, the home side's attacking efforts would earn them a second reward on 23 minutes from the penalty spot. Whitecaps centre back Jeff Parke was adjudged to have handled the ball in his box by match referee Lee Suckle, as he tried to win possession from the dangerous Nunes. The Brazilian then stepped up to beat Nolly with a left-footed finish and give Miami FC a well-deserved two-goal lead.
The Whitecaps tried to reply to being two goals down four minutes later, but after playing a fine give-and-go with striker Marcus Haber near the edge of the Blues box, Lyle Martin struck his shot wide of goal. Three minutes later, Charles Gbeke was unable to test Schoeni with a close-range effort, as the ball went out of touch for a Miami goal kick.
At the other end - also on the half-hour mark - the Blues were unlucky not to extend their lead to three goals, as Araujo was adjudged offside after converting a fine through ball into the Whitecaps box past Nolly and into the back of the net.
It was an impressive first-half display from Miami FC, so it was fitting that the Blues earned the last chance of the half on a free kick. Nunes curled his set-piece effort over the Whitecaps wall, but Nolly was on hand to make a spectacular one-handed save and concede a corner on 45 minutes.
The halftime whistle confirmed Miami's two-goal advantage at the break.
USL First Division Stories from July 12, 2009
- Miami FC Remains Unbeaten at FIU - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Fall to Miami - Vancouver Whitecaps
- City Stars Draw First Place Puerto Rico 0-0 - Cleveland City Stars
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