Whitecaps FC defeat Aztex
June 12, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
AUSTIN, TEXAS - In the first game of a five-match road trip, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5W-2L-4D) came from a goal down to defeat USL Conference leaders Austin Aztex (7W-2L-3D) 2-1 in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
After falling behind to a Lawrence Olum strike just before halftime at House Park in Austin, Texas, the Whitecaps stunned the USSF D-2 top club with two late goals to win the weekend contest. Marcus Haber levelled matters with a fine header midway through the second half before substitute Nizar Khalfan struck home a superb winner in the late stages. It was Vancouver's first away win of the season and their first-ever victory in the Texas state capital.
Saturday's result also ended Austin's unbeaten run at eight matches, as the Blue and White put the breaks on the in-form Aztex and started their extended road trip in fine fashion. Victory for Vancouver keeps them top of the NASL Conference standings - four points clear of Canadian rivals Montreal Impact.
After playing home games in the league in the past week, 'Caps head coach Teitur Thordarson freshened up his midfield by starting Justin Moose on the left-hand side, while Luca Bellisomo and Ricardo Sanchez partnered each other in central midfield. Bellisomo returned after missing Wednesday's home draw versus Carolina RailHawks through suspension.
On a typically warm Texas evening, the Whitecaps did well to negotiate the league's most potent attack in the first half, despite the difficulties of facing a stiff breeze, as well as the narrow dimensions and bouncy turf of the House Park pitch.
Austin's fine form was evident in the early stages, as the home side created two good chances. On five minutes, Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly did well to clear a forward ball from a charging Maxwell Griffin at the edge of the Vancouver box. A minute later, midfielder Michael Callahan set up striker Eddie Johnson for a turn and shot on the edge of the Whitecaps box. The former Manchester United trainee's effort slammed off Nolly's crossbar and out for a goal kick.
As tough as things looked early on, the 'Caps worked hard to make their presence felt. On 19 minutes, Haber made a fine 40-yard run down the right flank before striking a low shot that hit the far post of Austin's goal. A minute later, Callahan forced Nolly into a good save with a shot of his own before Maxwell Griffin tried to take advantage of an Austin clearance on 25 minutes. Yet, after eluding the attentions of Whitecaps centre back Greg Janicki, the Aztex striker hit the side-netting with his close-range effort.
The early threat from Austin failed to bring the dividends that the home side were looking for, and as the half went on, the Whitecaps created a set of opportunities themselves. On the half-hour mark, Moose nearly caught Aztex goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo-Aparicio off his goal line with a lob that went just over the crossbar. A minute later, Cornelius Stewart made a dangerous run into the Austin box from the left flank, but Gallardo-Aparicio was on hand to close the Vancouver striker down and make an important save from his goal-bound effort.
It was a match that had plenty of action at both ends, but after Austin's Johnson and Vancouver's Haber saw efforts go begging on 41 and 44 minutes respectively, the Whitecaps were forced into an unexpected substitution. Zurab Tsiskaridze was forced off with an ankle problem, with Takashi Hirano coming on in his place at left fullback.
The Whitecaps had done well to reach the final stages of the first half with a goalless scoreline, but it was from their own bit of poor play that Austin took the lead in the one minute of time added on. Maxwell Griffin got on the end of a wayward Vancouver clearance before attempting a shot on goal. In the mix-up with Whitecaps alternate captain Nelson Akwari, the ball bounced kindly into the path of Olum, who went in and finished past Nolly with ease for a 1-0 Aztex lead at the break.
It was a disappointing way for the 'Caps to end the opening half, but with darkness now descended and the strong Texas breeze behind their backs, Thordarson's side went about telling a different tale to this match in the second half.
That tale included the influence of Vancouver's substitutions after halftime, starting with Ansu Toure coming on in place of Moose, while Martin Nash and Jonny Steele took over duties in central midfield for Bellisomo and Sanchez on 54 minutes.
Those moves did not initially bring the desired turnaround in fortune for the 'Caps, as Austin had Maxwell Griffin hit the woodwork again from a Callahan corner, while the in-form Jamie Watson was wide with a run and shot following a Whitecaps turnover on 65 minutes.
In many ways, the turning point of the contest came on 67 minutes, as Khalfan came on for Philippe Davies in what was the winger's first appearance for the club since his 90-minute performance for his native Tanzania in last Monday's international friendly versus Brazil.
On 68 minutes, the Whitecaps pulled themselves level with a fine headed goal by Haber. The Vancouver native - who just had his loan extended to cover next week's away match versus Puerto Rico Islanders - connected with Nash's corner at the near post to make it 1-1 for his first goal in USSF D-2 and the second of his loan spell. Nash's assist on the equalizer, meanwhile, took him to 99 points on the Whitecaps career leader list.
Haber's goal gave Vancouver a major shot of confidence, and while Austin could only see strikes from Johnson, Olum, and substitute Joey Worthen miss their intended target, the visitors went on to claim all three points in the dying stages.
On 81 minutes, Haber turned provider by slipping a pass to Khalfan on the edge of the Aztex box. The midfielder then teed up a sublime left-footed strike that flew past a diving Gallardo-Aparicio and into the far corner of the Aztex goal for a 2-1 Whitecaps lead. It was the East African's first-ever goal for Vancouver, and he celebrated it in style with his teammates by the near-side corner flag.
Khalfan's strike was a fine sight to behold for Whitecaps fans, and with the match edging towards the end, the energy over having overcome a one-goal deficit brought more chances for the Tanzanian and fellow goalscorer Haber.
The best of those late opportunities saw Khalfan roll a low shot across the face of Austin's goal following a pulsating run down the right flank on 86 minutes, while in the three minutes of time added on, Khalfan turned provider for Haber, as his excellent through ball allowed the striker to break in on goal. Gallardo-Aparicio, however, was on hand to stop the Whitecaps forward from extending Vancouver's lead.
The final whistle saw a delighted Whitecaps side embrace each other in celebration of an excellent second-half performance, as the Aztex fell to only their second defeat in the league this season. Only Rochester Rhinos are the other club to have taken maximum points off of Austin in 2010.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 12, 2010
- Whitecaps FC defeat Aztex - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Palace Falls 2-1 To Rochester - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Miami FC Shuts out Portland in 1-0 Victory to Move Forward in Standings - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Impact Break Streak, Win on the Road - Montreal Impact
- Timbers Dealt 1-0 Loss by Blues in Miami - Portland Timbers
- AC St. Louis Win in Puerto Rico - AC St. Louis
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