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MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC earn 3-0 victory

September 11, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


TOWSON, MD - In the first match of their final regular season road trip, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-3L-14D) secured their place in the USSF D-2 Pro League playoffs with a convincing 3-0 victory at NASL Conference rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore (6W-15L-6D) on Saturday afternoon.

Goals by Greg Janicki, Randy Edwini-Bonsu, and Terry Dunfield on the turf at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium in Towson, Maryland, ensured the NASL Conference leaders booked their spot for next month's postseason action. Though struggling Palace Baltimore created some quality chances, it was Vancouver that found their scoring touch to claim their first-ever win over the Maryland-based outfit.

Saturday's win not only secured a playoff berth for the 'Caps, it also extended their unbeaten streak away from home to 11 matches (5W-0L-6D) and in the league to nine games (3W-0L-6D). In fact, Whitecaps FC have only lost once in their last 20 matches this year.

Three Whitecaps FC players earned their first starts for the Blue and White on Saturday. Willis Forko came in at left fullback, while in front of him on the left-hand side of midfield was Vancouver native Alex Elliott. Costa Rican striker Jonathan McDonald also earned his first start for the 'Caps alongside Canadian international Edwini-Bonsu.

A partly cloudy and breezy late summer's day greeted both sets of players on the campus of Towson's Calvert Hall College High School, with Palace Baltimore starting the brighter of the two sides, as they looked to get into playoff contention in their inaugural season as a North American second division club.

Whitecaps FC goalkeeper Jay Nolly was put to work early by the home side. On five minutes, Palace striker Gary Brooks got in behind the Vancouver backline before poking a shot just wide of the far post. Three minutes later, Santiago Fusilier got around Vancouver's right fullback Wes Knight before forcing Nolly into an important save, with Brazilian midfielder Neto striking the ensuing rebound over the crossbar. Then on 11 minutes, Cameroon attacker Matthew Mbuta saw his effort well saved by Nolly.

For the early portions of the first half, the 'Caps struggled to keep possession and get into their rhythm, as Palace Baltimore looked the more likely side to break the deadlock. The first signs of a Vancouver response to that early pressure came on 26 minutes when Edwini-Bonsu took a Philippe Davies forward pass before making a dangerous attacking run and forcing a corner with his goal-bound shot. Five minute later, a fine passing sequence allowed McDonald to slip a neat through ball to Edwini-Bonsu but the youngster drilled his close-range shot wide of the target.

As the match neared halftime, Edwini-Bonsu's pace allowed him to create another decent chance on 43 minutes. Vancouver broke forward down the left flank, with Edwini-Bonsu reaching the Palace Baltimore byline. The forward then looked to find a streaking McDonald in the front of goal with his cutback pass, but the home side were able to clear the danger for a 'Caps corner. From that ensuing set-piece, McDonald put his goal-bound header over the crossbar.

After Brooks and Mbuta had another set of quality chances for Palace Baltimore on 45 minutes, Whitecaps FC stunned the home crowd by taking a one-goal lead into the break.

In time added on, Davies swung in a fine free kick from the right flank that found centre back Janicki at the far post. The former D.C. United defender's powerful header beat Palace Baltimore goalkeeper Evan Bush to give Vancouver a somewhat fortuitous 1-0 lead at halftime. It was Janicki's fourth goal of the season and third away from home this season.

Vancouver's opening goal might have been a little bit against the run of play, and would have surely come as a disappointment to Palace Baltimore, who played well for large parts of the opening 45 minutes.

They looked to respond immediately after the break with a fine chance on 46 minutes. Brooks made a run into the Whitecaps FC box before turning and striking a shot that was scrambled clear by Nolly and his defenders for a corner.

The chance was a let-off for the 'Caps, but the visitors proceeded to put in an improved display after the restart, with McDonald and Edwini-Bonsu having strikes soon after. The best of those opportunities fell to Edwini-Bonsu from captain Martin Nash's pass, but the striker's turn and shot was well saved by Bush on 58 minutes.

Shortly after the hour mark, Swiss import Ridge Mobulu replaced the Central American McDonald in the Whitecaps FC attack, and the move soon paid dividends.

On 70 minutes, a run down the right by the Vancouver substitute saw him play a neat give-and-go with Dunfield, beat three Palace Baltimore players, and found Edwini-Bonsu in the six-yard box. With an empty net to aim for, the Edmonton, Alberta, native slammed home the loose ball for his second goal of the season and a 2-0 Vancouver lead.

The second goal brought smiles to the faces of the 'Caps players, and on 76 minutes, they were given more to celebrate, as Dunfield scored his first goal for his hometown club. Mobulu made a forward run from the halfway line before finding Dunfield near the edge of the Palace Baltimore box. The Canadian international's fierce low drive beat Bush to make it 3-0 to Whitecaps FC. The goal capped a fine week for the former Manchester City trainee, who helped Canada to a friendly win over Honduras in Montreal on Tuesday night.

With the match well in the command of the visitors, Teitur Thordarson created a moment of club history on 82 minutes when he replaced the ever-present Nolly in the Vancouver goal with Victoria, BC, youngster Simon Thomas. The substitution not only gave the Whitecaps FC Residency product his first competitive appearance with the men's team, it also ended Nolly's run in the 'Caps goal at 6,472 consecutive minutes of action. In fact, the last time Nolly was not in the Whitecaps FC goal was during the semifinal, second leg, of the 2008 United Soccer Leagues First Division playoffs versus Montreal Impact, when he was suspended.

Though Thomas' appearance was brief, he would witness a glorious chance from Palace Baltimore to deny Vancouver a clean sheet. On 87 minutes, substitute Adrian Bumbut struck the far post with a well-taken strike before Mbuta hit the Vancouver crossbar with the rebound.

90 FULL MINUTES

It proved to be the last chance of a fine away win by Whitecaps FC, with Nolly and Thomas sharing the shutout in the process. With three matches remaining in the regular season, Thordarson's squad can now work towards being in top form when the playoffs begin in October.

Whitecaps FC will now move on to Blaine, Minnesota, for their fourth regular season clash versus NSC Minnesota Stars next Saturday night. Palace Baltimore, meanwhile, continue their quest to make a late push for the playoffs when they host NASL Conference rivals Carolina RailHawks next Saturday afternoon.

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