Whitecaps FC at St. Louis This Friday
August 4, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - In the midst of a five-match road spell, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-3L-10D) return to the American Midwest to take on NASL Conference rivals Athletic Club of St. Louis (5W-10L-5D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
With a win and a draw to begin this latest spell on the road, the Whitecaps are aiming to put some more distance between themselves and their foes in the NASL Conference by claiming a result in Missouri. They face a resurgent St. Louis side that have pulled themselves back into the playoff picture in USSF D-2 following a positive spell of results.
Friday's match between Whitecaps FC and AC St. Louis from the Anheuser-Busch Center in Fenton, Missouri, kicks off at 5 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch Friday's contest live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS FC
Though they may have rode their luck a bit during Saturday's draw at Carolina RailHawks, the Whitecaps have been happy travellers this season. The weekend result extended Vancouver's unbeaten run away from home in the league to seven matches (3W-0L-4D), with Teitur Thordarson's side having improved their road form greatly since last year's away record of 2W-7L-6D in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.
Thordarson thinks two key areas have influenced Vancouver's away form. "We've been better defensively the whole year. That is often more important in away matches than when you play at home," he told whitecapsfc.com. "I also think our team has played more consistent this season. Our performances have not been that different from when we've played at home or on the road, and that has come down to our consistency, which has been very good."
As good a run as it has been, Thordarson is expecting another stern away test against St. Louis. "Friday will be a hard game," he said. "St. Louis have been getting some good results of late, and the heat here in Missouri will also not make it easy for us. However, we have played some tough games of late, so we will be ready for it."
The Whitecaps will be without striker Marlon James for Friday's match after the big forward suffered a recurrence of his calf injury in Montreal last week. New signing Ridge Mobulu (visa issues), centre back Mouloud Akloul (ankle), and striker Randy Edwini-Bonsu (calf) will also miss the away clash with St. Louis.
ST. LOUIS
For all the struggles they have had to endure on the pitch, as well as plenty of turmoil off of it, St. Louis have every reason to look forward to the final third of their regular season schedule. A run of two victories and a draw in their last three matches have moved St. Louis to within four points of the final playoff spot in USSF D-2. The Missouri outfit are in the middle of a crucial five-match home stand, with the latest result coming on Sunday, as they drew 2-2 with American Midwest rivals NSC Minnesota Stars.
One reason for St. Louis' recent upswing has been the influence of Dale Schilly, who replaced Frenchman Claude Anelka as St. Louis head coach in late June. Since Schilly's appointment, St. Louis have registered a 3L-3L-4D record, which is a marked improvement from the 2W-7L-1D record that the club amassed under Anelka.
Two veterans of the North American second division game have contributed to St. Louis' recent turnaround. Former Rochester Rhinos striker Mike Ambersley sits fourth in the league with six goals, while midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer's four assists have him in a tie for second in USSF D-2.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Friday's match is the fourth all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and AC St. Louis. Vancouver won the inaugural clash back on April 24 before drawing 0-0 in Missouri on June 26 and 1-1 at Swangard Stadium on July 8. Prior to 2010, the Whitecaps last faced opposition from St. Louis in the old North American Soccer League (NASL). Between 1974 and 1977, Vancouver recorded four wins and two defeats versus St. Louis Stars in the NASL. The Whitecaps last visit to Missouri during the NASL days was on June 8, 1977, as Vancouver defeated the Stars 3-1.
NEXT STOP: MINNESOTA
Vancouver's final regular season trip to St. Louis will be followed by the first of two visits to Blaine, Minnesota, to take on USL Conference club NSC Minnesota Stars on Saturday, August 14. Kickoff from the National Sports Center Stadium is set for 5 p.m. PT and can also be seen live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 4, 2010
- Rhinos Chop Down Timbers - Rochester Rhinos
- Rhinos Hire Bob Russell as Executive VP - Rochester Rhinos
- Timbers End Road Trip with 1-O Loss to Rhinos - Portland Timbers
- Palace Baltimore Fall 1-0 to Miami - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Miami FC Blanks Crystal Palace Baltimore to Earn Important Road Victory - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Announcing 2nd Annual Military Appreciation Night This Saturday - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps FC at St. Louis This Friday - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Sign Dutch Forward Ibad Muhamadu - Portland Timbers
- Rowdies Update - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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