Whitecaps FC Move On To Rochester

May 27, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - In the second game of a three-match road trip, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (3W-1L-3D) make their final regular season visit to Upstate New York when they take on USL Conference club Rochester Rhinos (3W-3L-2D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.

Teitur Thordarson's side will be looking to win both of their regular season contests versus Bob Lilley's Rhinos after the Blue and White defeated Rochester 2-0 at Swangard Stadium last weekend. Saturday's match is also an opportunity for the NASL Conference leaders to put the disappointment of Wednesday's 1-1 draw at Montreal Impact behind them. The midweek result in Quebec ended Vancouver's hopes of winning this year's Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

Saturday's match between the Whitecaps and Rochester Rhinos from Marina Auto Stadium in Rochester, New York, kicks off at 4 p.m. PT and can be seen live on Shaw TV and Shaw Direct (satellite channel 299). Fans can also watch Saturday's match live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.

WHITECAPS

It has been a disappointing week for the Whitecaps faithful, as their hopes of winning a first-ever Canadian Championship title were dashed by a 1-1 result in Montreal on Wednesday. Yet, 'Caps fans should not feel too downcast about the season so far, as there have been some very encouraging signs from Thordarson's squad. Heading into Saturday, Vancouver have only lost once in 10 league and Canadian Championship games, with the 'Caps also sporting the best defensive record in USSF D-2. Vancouver have only conceded two goals in seven league contests, with both those goals coming in a 2-1 defeat at Portland Timbers on April 29. They have also earned a total of six clean sheets since the league campaign began last month.

With Voyageurs Cup aspirations at an end for this year, Thordarson will look to get his side fully focused on the remainder of the club's final season at the North American second division level. "We will see in training on Friday how the players are looking and what changes we will make for Saturday's game," he told whitecapsfc.com on Wednesday night. "Everyone may be a little bit down after the Montreal result, but once we start preparing for Saturday's game against Rochester, I'm sure everyone will be focused on the task at hand. If we can keep our game up to the level that we have been playing recently, we will certainly create goal chances in Rochester."

Wednesday's match versus the Impact also showed a glimpse into the potential of some of the Whitecaps young talent. The latest youngster to garner the men's team spotlight was West African teenager Doudou Toure. The Mauritanian prospect looked a real handful when he appeared as a second-half substitute at Montreal's Stade Saputo. "From the minute he was on, he looked extremely good," Thordarson said. "Doudou is different from the other strikers that we currently have."

The Whitecaps are still without defender/midfielder Blake Wagner, who remains sidelined with a strain in his foot, and long-term casualty Mouloud Akloul, who continues his recovery from a fractured ankle. Goalkeeper Dan Pelc also remains sidelined with a gluteus maximus injury.

RHINOS

The Rhinos have had a week to assess last weekend's defeat in Vancouver and prepare for the visit of the Whitecaps to their Marina Auto Stadium home. Last Saturday's loss was Rochester's second straight in USSF D-2, and a match in which the Rhinos struggled to contain the 'Caps speed and flank play.

Lilley feels Rochester will need to be better at applying pressure when the Whitecaps have possession. "I was really happy with what we did on the ball (last Saturday), but defensively, we have to get more pressure on it," Lilley told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle. "Vancouver were allowed to serve in balls and we have to get stronger because we got pushed around at times. You've got to win some individual battles physically. We'll work on dealing with those balls over the top and make sure we have proper cover. It's just like an alley-oop in basketball. One way to stop that is pressure on the ball."

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Saturday's match will be the 20th all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Rhinos, with both clubs first meeting back in 1996 and again in 2000. Vancouver have since played Rochester in every season, dating back to the 2005 campaign. The 'Caps lead the all-time series of results with nine wins, seven defeats, and three draws versus the Rhinos. This includes a record of three wins, five defeats, and one draw in Rochester. The Whitecaps come into this weekend's contest on an unbeaten run of three matches versus the Upstate New York outfit (2W-0L-1D).

RHINOS PUB PARTY

Whitecaps fans can cheer on Thordarson's side during Saturday's USSF D-2 match-up at Malone's Bar and Grill (608, West Pender Street, downtown Vancouver) at 4 p.m. PT. Malone's Bar and Grill is a member of the Whitecaps Preferred Pubs & Restaurants program. Whitecaps season ticket holders can use their 'Caps Card for discounts at all of our Preferred Pubs & Restaurants.

LAST STOP: TORONTO

The Whitecaps complete their three-match road trip in Southern Ontario next Wednesday night, as Vancouver make their lone trip of 2010 to Toronto's BMO Field for the final match of this year's Nutrilite Canadian Championship when they take on tournament winners Toronto FC. Kickoff from BMO Field is set for 5 p.m. PT and can be seen through live streaming on sportsnet.ca or on Rogers Sportsnet East and Rogers Sportsnet West.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 27, 2010


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