Whitecaps FC Face Austin Aztex in Texas on Saturday
June 11, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - In the first game of a five-match road trip, NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC (4W-2L-4D) take on USL Conference leaders Austin Aztex (7W-1L-3D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
Teitur Thordarson's side will looking for their first win away from home this season, and against the best side in all of USSF D-2 in the Texas state capital. Having lost twice and drawn once on the road to date, the Blue and White will be keen to turn their away form around, with the trip to Austin being the first of five away matches in the space of three weeks. It is also a match-up of the league's highest goalscorers (21) in Austin facing a Vancouver side that have conceded the fewest goals in USSF D-2 (five).
The past few weeks have been a busy time for the Whitecaps, with the club having played a match in both league and Nutrilite Canadian Championship every three or four days. This weekend's clash with the Aztex is also the first of two difficult away matches, with a visit to the Caribbean and a midweek meeting with Puerto Rico Islanders to follow. Thordarson knows Austin will be a very stern test for his side. "We not only face the challenge of a good team in the Aztex, but the conditions down here in Austin as well," Thordarson told whitecapsfc.com from the Texas state capital. "They play on turf, which is difficult, and the warm weather here can also be a factor."
One of Vancouver's struggles this season has been making the most of their opportunities in front of goal. Wednesday's draw with Carolina RailHawks might have been different, had the Blue and White been sharper with their efforts on target. "On Saturday, we want to be more effective in front of goal and get more out of the goal chances we create," Thordarson said. "This game here in Austin is sure to be a battle, but we should get some chances. It's a question of being effective and scoring on some of the chances we make. That's what we'll be focusing on for this game."
Saturday's match will Marcus Haber's last game of a two-month loan spell with the 'Caps. The Vancouver, BC, native returns to parent club West Bromwich Albion FC next week for preseason ahead the 2010-11 English Premier League campaign.
With Simon Thomas (concussion) joining Dan Pelc (gluteus maximus) on Vancouver's injury list, Thordarson has drafted in local goalkeeper Andrew Fink to back up Jay Nolly on Saturday night. The Burnaby, BC, native comes to the 'Caps after completing his third Canadian Interuniversity Sport season with Trinity Western University. Also returning to Thordarson's squad is winger Nizar Khalfan. The Tanzanian international is back after appearing for his country in Monday's international friendly defeat to Brazil in the Tanzanian capital of Dar es Salaam. Striker Marlon James and defender/midfielder Blake Wagner have remained behind in Vancouver, as the pair look to regain their fitness following recent injury concerns. James and Wagner are available for the Whitecaps Residency's two home matches in the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League this weekend. Also staying on the west coast are youngsters Ethan Gage, Dever Orgill, and Alex Semenets. Long-term casualty Mouloud Akloul remains sidelined with an ankle fracture.
AZTEX
Improvement is the best way to describe the Aztex in 2010. Having passed the one-third mark of the season, Adrian Heath's side have already passed their points total for the entirety of last season in the 30-match United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1), with the Texas outfit not only firm leaders of the USL Conference, but all of USSF D-2 at this stage. They enter this weekend's clash on a run of eight league matches without a defeat.
Much of Austin's early season success can be attributed to the play of strikers Eddie Johnson and Jamie Watson. Named USSF D-2 Player of the Month for May, Johnson sits second in the league in goals (six) and points (14). Joining the former Manchester United trainee is ex-Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas forward Watson, who is tied for third in the league in goals (five) and points (11).
The Aztex will be without Heath at House Park, as the Aztex head coach serves the second game of a two-match touchline ban after being ejected from Austin's 2-1 home win over Puerto Rico on June 5. His assistant Bobby Murphy will again take Heath's place on the sidelines against the Whitecaps.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This will be the fourth all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Aztex, dating back to last season when Austin joined USL-1 as an expansion club. Vancouver hold an undefeated record of two wins and one draw versus the Aztex. During the 2009 USL-1 season, the 'Caps drew 1-1 in Austin on April 21 before winning both of their home games against the Aztex. On September 4, Vancouver claimed a 3-2 victory before winning 2-1 over Austin on September 13. The Whitecaps final regular season meeting with the Aztex will be at Swangard Stadium on Sunday, August 29.
...THEN OFF TO THE CARIBBEAN
The Whitecaps follow their trip to Austin by making their final regular season visit to the Caribbean to take on USL Conference club Puerto Rico Islanders on Wednesday night.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 11, 2010
- Impact Faces Tampa Bay Rowdies Saturday - Montreal Impact
- Home Teams for 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Second Round Matches Determined - Austin Aztex
- Miami FC to Host the MLS-Bound Portland Timbers - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps FC Face Austin Aztex in Texas on Saturday - Vancouver Whitecaps
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