Whitecaps FC Move on to Puerto Rico
Published on June 15, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Looking to build on their weekend win in Texas, NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC (5W-2L-4D) head to the Caribbean to face USL Conference club Puerto Rico Islanders (3W-5L-0D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Wednesday evening.
The Blue and White made a fine start to a five-match road spell on Saturday, as they downed top USSF D-2 club Austin Aztex 2-1 in the Texas state capital. The result at House Park was all the more pleasing for the fact that the Whitecaps had to come from a goal down to earn their first away win of the season. They now face an Islanders side that have lost their last two games in the league.
Wednesday's match between the Whitecaps and Puerto Rico Islanders from the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, kicks off at 5:05 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch this week's contest on online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS FC
Now in the midst of a five-match road trip, the Whitecaps made a fine start to their travels by knocking off the top club in the league over the weekend. Goals by Marcus Haber and Nizar Khalfan overturned a one-goal deficit and handed the 'Caps a first-ever win in Austin. Head coach Teitur Thordarson believes victory over the high-flying Aztex will be an important building block for his side. "Saturday's win will provide a huge boost for the rest of the road trip. We now go into Puerto Rico with a good feeling after what we achieved in Austin," he told whitecapsfc.com. "We've always have tough games in Puerto Rico, and I expect Wednesday's game to be a tough one as well. We will do what we can to recover and prepare for the Islanders, but at the moment, I'm really happy with the way the team has grown together."
Wednesday's match will be Haber's final game of his two-month loan spell with the 'Caps, as the Vancouver native will be returning to parent club West Bromwich Albion FC to prepare for the 2010-11 English Premier League season. Midfielder Jonny Steele, meanwhile, makes his first visit to Puerto Rico since leaving the Islanders for the Whitecaps in the offseason.
With Simon Thomas (concussion) and Dan Pelc (gluteus maximus) still on the sidelines through injury, Trinity Western University goalkeeper Andrew Fink will again back up Whitecaps number one Jay Nolly on Wednesday. Those that have also stayed behind in Vancouver include striker Marlon James, defender/midfielder Blake Wagner, and youngsters Ethan Gage, Dever Orgill, and Alex Semenets. Long-term casualty Mouloud Akloul is continuing his recovery from an ankle fracture.
ISLANDERS
It has not been the best of starts in USSF D-2 for the Islanders, though Colin Clarke's side can be excused for being distracted, as spring was taken up by their aims to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League. Those efforts not only bore fruit for a third-straight year, it saw Puerto Rico return to the confederation's top club competition as Caribbean club champions. The Islanders advanced to a very difficult Champions League Preliminary Round match-up versus top Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles Galaxy. The two-match, aggregate goal series against the Galaxy will not start until late July, which will allow the Islanders time to focus solely on pushing up the USL Conference standings, with Puerto Rico currently sitting at the bottom of the table after eight matches played.
The Islanders squad includes many familiar faces to Whitecaps fans. Strikers Nicholas Addlery and Josh Hansen had spells with Vancouver before moving to Puerto Rico. This season, the pair have each registered three goals and an assist in the league to date. Defender Marco Velez is back for his second spell with the Islanders following a stint in MLS with Toronto FC. With James Marcelin (Portland Timbers) and Fabrice Noel (Shanghai East Asia FC - China) moving on in the offseason, Clarke boosted his squad with the additions of striker David Foley from English League One club Hartlepool United, midfielder Chris Nurse from Rochester Rhinos, and Puerto Rican international defender Richard Martinez.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This week's contest is the 14th all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Islanders, dating back to the 2005 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) season. Vancouver lead those results with a record of seven wins, two defeats, and four draws. This includes a record of two wins, two defeats, and two draws in Puerto Rico. Whitecaps fans are sure to remember two recent encounters versus the Islanders at Swangard Stadium. On Thanksgiving Sunday 2008, Vancouver defeated Puerto Rico 2-1 to win the first USL-1 Championship Final to be contested between two clubs from outside of the United States. Then last season, the 'Caps defeated the Islanders 4-2 in a match that took over four hours to complete after severe thunderstorms delayed the July 25 game for over two hours. This season, the Whitecaps will meet Puerto Rico at Swangard on Sunday, September 5.
NEXT STOP: ST. LOUIS
Following Wednesday's match in Puerto Rico, the Whitecaps will have 10 days until their next USSF D-2 encounter, as Thordarson's side will make their first-ever trip to Missouri to take on Athletic Club of St. Louis on Saturday, June 26. Kickoff from Anheuser-Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri, is set for 5:10 p.m. PT and can also be seen live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from June 15, 2010
- Palace Falls in First Round of U.S. Open Cup - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Aztex Take Out Tornados in Open Cup First Round Matchup - Austin Aztex
- AC St. Louis Advance to Second Round of U.S. Open Cup - AC St. Louis
- Stars Advance to Second Round of US Open Cup - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Edge Charlotte Eagles to Advance to Second Round of US Open Cup - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps FC Move on to Puerto Rico - Vancouver Whitecaps
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