Whitecaps FC Conclude Road Spell in Tampa Bay
August 18, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - In the final game of a five-match road spell, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-3L-11D) look to edge closer to securing a playoff spot in the USSF D-2 Pro League when they visit USL Conference club FC Tampa Bay (6W-8L-8D) on Thursday evening.
Teitur Thordarson's side increased their lead at the top of the NASL Conference standings after an important 1-0 away win over NSC Minnesota Stars last weekend. The victory extended Vancouver's unbeaten run of away matches to nine (4W-0L-5D), with the Blue and White taking their undefeated streak in the league to five games. They meet a Rowdies side that are in a battle to secure a playoff spot in their inaugural season as a North American second division club.
Thursday's match between Whitecaps FC and FC Tampa Bay from George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch Thursday's contest live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS FC
Looking on course to claim either the first or second playoff seed as NASL Conference winners, Thordarson's squad will want to end their month-long spell away from home with another result in Florida. Last Saturday's win not only brought three more valuable points and a fine goal from captain Martin Nash, it also gave Vancouver the chance to give new summer signings Terry Dunfield and Jonathan McDonald their Whitecaps FC debuts.
The result over Minnesota also took the 'Caps to the top of the league in the shutout department, with Vancouver leading all USSF D-2 clubs with 12 clean sheets to this stage. A reliable backline - anchored by centre backs Nelson Akwari and Greg Janicki - has contributed greatly to goalkeeper Jay Nolly's league-leading goals-against average of 0.652. The average is particularly impressive when you consider that Nolly has played every minute of the regular season in goal for the Blue and White (23 total appearances for 2,070 minutes of action).
In what has been a busy week for the 'Caps, fans will be keen to see if new signing Cody Arnoux earns a debut appearance in Tampa Bay after signing for the club on Wednesday. Right fullback Wes Knight is also available to face the Rowdies after missing last Saturday's game in Minnesota with a hamstring problem.
The 'Caps, however, will be without three of this week's new additions for Thursday's match. Returning defender Willis Forko is currently training in Vancouver, while playmaker Davide Chiumiento will arrive from his native Switzerland at the end of the month. Canadian-born defender Alain Rochat will not see action with Whitecaps FC this season, as he remains on loan to Swiss Super League outfit FC Zürich until the opening of the January 2011 international transfer window.
Youngsters Ethan Gage and Russell Teibert are also unavailable, as the pair remain in Valencia, Spain, with Canada's U-20 national team until Friday, while French centre back Mouloud Akloul is continuing his recovery from a long-term ankle injury.
The club also recently learned that Major League Soccer (MLS) has been unable to complete Omar Salgado's registration and therefore is unable to complete the loan agreement with Whitecaps FC. After training for five days with the club, Salgado has returned to the United States.
ROWDIES
Currently sitting in the last playoff spot in USSF D-2, FC Tampa Bay will be keen to improve a poor run of just one victory in their last 13 league matches, if they are to see postseason action in October. The good news for the Rowdies is that their run-in sees the Rowdies play six of their remaining eight regular season games at home, starting with a three-match home stand on Thursday.
There will be three familiar faces on the other side of the George M. Steinbrenner Field pitch for the 'Caps. Striker Aaron Wheeler had a spell with Vancouver last season, while midfielders Ricardo Sanchez and Jonny Steele are sure to relish the chance to face their old club after the Whitecaps traded the pair to Tampa Bay for future considerations on July 20. Since joining the Rowdies, Sanchez has scored three goals and added an assist, while Steele has one assist. Another player that has been performing well for Paul Dalglish's side is experienced striker Aaron King. The former Charleston Battery, Carolina RailHawks, and Miami FC forward sits third in the league with eight goals and fifth in USSF D-2 with 17 points.
Tampa Bay's squad is made up of a mix of talent, with players coming from MLS, United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1), and abroad. This includes Canadian youngster Mozesh (Mozzi) Gyorio. Born in Serbia, the native of Prince Edward Island played with the Whitecaps pair of Philippe Davies and Alex Semenets in Canada's U-20 national team at last year's Francophone Games in Lebanon.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Though Thursday's match is the second-ever meeting between these two current clubs, it is not the first time that Vancouver have taken on a Rowdies side. Their first-ever encounter against a Tampa Bay side came in the 1977 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, as goals by Derek Possee and Gordon Taylor gave Whitecaps FC a 2-1 away win on June 11. Between 1977 and 1984, the 'Caps registered 10 wins and four defeats versus the Florida outfit in the NASL. This included an away record of five wins and three defeats versus the Rowdies. Vancouver's last encounters against a Rowdies side came during the 1993 American Professional Soccer League season when they registered one win and three defeats that year. This included Vancouver's last competitive encounter in Tampa Bay, as the then-known 86ers lost 2-1 to the Rowdies on July 25. Vancouver's 1-0 home win over the Rowdies on June 6 took the Whitecaps all-time record versus Tampa Bay opposition to 12 wins and seven defeats.
The most famous of encounters versus Tampa Bay was the 1979 Soccer Bowl at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on September 8. Two goals by Trevor Whymark secured the NASL championship title for the Whitecaps, as they defeated the Rowdies 2-1.
WHITECAPS FC PUB NIGHT
Whitecaps fans can watch Vancouver and Tampa Bay battle it out in two forms at The Academic Public House (1619, West Broadway, Vancouver, BC) on Thursday night! From 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. PT, 'Caps supporters will be able to watch live streaming of Thursday's USSF D-2 encounter, and a special viewing of the 1979 NASL Soccer Bowl.
That will be followed by an exclusive Q&A session with Whitecaps FC chief executive officer Paul Barber and director of soccer operations Tommy Soehn. Hosted by honorary guest and Whitecaps alumnus Carl Valentine, fans will have the opportunity to find out the latest happenings with the club from Barber and Soehn, as Whitecaps FC look to have a successful conclusion to the 2010 season, as well as continue their preparations towards their inaugural season in MLS next year. The evening will also include food and drink specials, prizes, and more!
The Academic Public House is a member of the Whitecaps FC Preferred Pubs & Restaurants program. Whitecaps season ticket holders can use their 'Caps Card for discounts at all of our Preferred Pubs & Restaurants.
RETURN HOME
Following Thursday's game in Tampa Bay, Whitecaps FC return home for their next two USSF D-2 encounters, starting with the lone regular season visit of Austin Aztex to Vancouver on Sunday, August 29. Kickoff from Swangard Stadium is set for 4 p.m. PT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. Visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets for more information on individual match tickets.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from August 18, 2010
- Rochester Defeats Palace Baltimore, 2-0 - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- RailHawks Earn First Come from Behind Victory with 2-1 Win Over - North Carolina FC
- Rhinos Win at Baltimore - Rochester Rhinos
- Whitecaps FC Conclude Road Spell in Tampa Bay - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Whitecaps FC Add Arnoux and Forko - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Mexican Legend Claudio Suarez to Explore Return to Soccer - North Carolina FC
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