Whitecaps FC defeat Rhinos

May 22, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


BURNABY, BC - In their final match of a five-game home stand, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3W-1L-3D) defeated USL Conference club Rochester Rhinos (3W-3L-2D) 2-0 in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.

Goals by Cornelius Stewart and Greg Janicki sent the Whitecaps back to the top of the NASL Conference standings - one point ahead of Canadian rivals Montreal Impact. Saturday's result extended Vancouver's run of consecutive clean sheets to four matches and ended a run of four straight draws in league and Nutrilite Canadian Championship play. The last time Vancouver recorded four consecutive shutouts was during their successful playoff run to the 2006 United Soccer Leagues First Division championship title.

Though they had quality chances to find the back of the net themselves, the Rhinos struggled to contain a Vancouver squad that looked determined to head out on an important three-match road trip with a victory under their belts.

In a bid to freshen up his side following Wednesday's Canadian Championship draw with Major League Soccer club Toronto FC, Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson brought Chris Williams in at right fullback for the rested Wes Knight, while captain Martin Nash returned to his starting role of central midfield in place of Ricardo Sanchez. Rhinos head coach Bob Lilley, meanwhile, included Vancouver native Tyler Rosenlund in his central midfield on Saturday.

Though it was a cool and overcast evening in Burnaby, BC, a Swangard crowd of 4,996 saw a fine first-half display from the Blue and White, with Stewart posing Rochester's backline problems right from the opening kickoff. After a couple of very early attempts at the Rhinos goal, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international had the ball in the back of the visitors' net on four minutes. However, the striker and two of his Whitecaps teammates were adjudged offside after Stewart had headed home Justin Moose's curling cross from the right.

Where the finished product to many Whitecaps attacking moves was missing in the previous three home matches, the desired outcome soon arrived and through the impressive Stewart. After Ansu Toure struck a half-volleyed effort over the Rochester crossbar before the quarter-hour mark, Stewart registered his first-ever goal for Vancouver on 17 minutes. Strike partner Marcus Haber's initial shot fell kindly at the feet of Stewart in the Rhinos box, and having got a step on his marker, the young forward was allowed to turn and beat Rhinos goalkeeper Neal Kitson for a 1-0 Whitecaps lead.

In the midst of Vancouver's goalless draws this month, Thordarson stated that it was only a matter of time before his side would finish their chances. The delight and relief around Swangard to Stewart's goal gave the home side more impetus to continue attacking their Upstate New York foes. On 22 minutes, Stewart was presented with another chance in the Rhinos box, but after taking possession of Toure's cross from the left, the young striker flashed a shot across the face of Kitson's goal after doing well to turn past his marker.

Though it proved a difficult evening for Rochester's defenders, Lilley's side kept the Whitecaps on their toes with chances at the other end. Midfielder Ryan Heins had the pick of the Rhinos' first-half opportunities with an early strike that was well blocked away by the head of Vancouver centre back Nelson Akwari in the Whitecaps six-yard box.

The last chance of an inspiring first half display from the 'Caps fell to central midfielder Luca Bellisomo, who curled a right-footed shot just wide of the target in the 45th minute.

As Vancouver took a one-goal lead into the second half, Nolly's clean sheet came under threat soon after the restart. A dangerous run down the right flank by Rhinos striker Anthony Hamilton on 47 minutes resulted in a fine save from the Whitecaps number one.

Rochester's chance sparked the Whitecaps to seal all three points with a second goal four minutes later, and it was another Vancouver player that registered his first-ever goal for the club. Nash's fine corner from the right found Janicki at the far post, with the former D.C. United man placing a neat downward header into the far corner of Kitson's goal for a 2-0 Whitecaps advantage.

Janicki's second goal put Thordarson's side in command of proceedings, and they were unfortunate not to extend their lead further on 64 minutes. Toure's fine turn and cross from the left found Haber at the far post, but his well-struck header crashed off the Rochester crossbar and away to safety.

The half also saw both clubs use their maximum number of five substitutions, with Thordarson giving Sanchez, Marlon James, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, Takashi Hirano, and Jonny Steele late run-outs versus Rochester.

Facing a second straight league defeat in three days, the Rhinos did not go down without a fight. Their best chance to halve the two-goal deficit came on 72 minutes when Rochester midfielder Jamie Franks hammered a shot just wide of Nolly's far post.

If there was to be another goal before the end, it was likely to come from the home side, who remained dangerous in attack. On 87 minutes, substitute Sanchez left Kitson standing still on his goal line after the Mexican curled one of his patented free kicks just wide of the target.

A further two minutes of time added on were played before match referee David Barrie blew his final whistle to confirm the Whitecaps first home win over Rochester since the 2008 season, and a second victory versus the Rhinos in their last three meetings.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 22, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central