Whitecaps FC Prepare for Puerto Rico
Published on September 3, 2010 under U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Completing a two-match home stand, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-3L-13D) host USL Conference club Puerto Rico Islanders (8W-8L-8D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Sunday afternoon.
With the USSF D-2 regular season well into its final stages, Teitur Thordarson's side are looking to improve on last Sunday's disappointing 2-2 draw with league high-flyers Austin Aztex. The Blue and White turn their attentions to an in-form Puerto Rico side that are battling for success on two fronts. Not only are the Islanders trying to nail down a playoff spot, they are also in the midst of a group-stage campaign in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Sunday's match between Whitecaps FC and Puerto Rico Islanders at Swangard kicks off at 4 p.m. PT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. Visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets/single for more information on Whitecaps individual match tickets.
WHITECAPS FC
In making their first appearance at home in a month, Whitecaps FC offered an intriguing glimpse into the squad that will look to end the 2010 season on a high note. New faces like Terry Dunfield, Willis Forko, and Ridge Mobulu caught the attention of home supporters following the club's extensive work in the recent summer transfer window.
Vancouver native Dunfield seemed right at home in Vancouver's central midfield on Sunday, while Mobulu had supporters on the edge of their seats with his pace and power in the Whitecaps attack. His skill and poise in scoring the second goal versus Austin has surely whet the appetite of 'Caps fans to see more of the same from the Swiss-based import.
With Vancouver occupying the second seed for next month's USSF D-2 playoffs, Thordarson will want to extend the club's seven-match unbeaten steak (2W-0L-5D) by establishing a run of good performances before the postseason begins. If recent history is anything to go by, 'Caps fans will feel confident the best is yet to come over the coming weeks.
Whitecaps FC will have new signing Gershon Koffie available for Sunday's match after the West African youngster completed his move from Ghana's International Allies FC on Friday. Thordarson's squad also have centre back Greg Janicki available after the former D.C. United player served a one-match suspension for five yellow cards last weekend. Mouloud Akloul continues his recovery from the ankle fracture he suffered back in April, as the French centre back participated in Friday's full training session.
Vancouver, however, will again be without Nizar Khalfan for Sunday's match after the midfielder/striker appeared for his native Tanzania in Friday's 1-1 draw away to Algeria in 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying. Centre back Nelson Akwari remains sidelined with a quadriceps muscle problem that has kept him out of the last two Whitecaps games, while Ethan Gage and Takashi Hirano will also miss the Puerto Rico contest after the pair each suffered broken noses in Thursday's reserve match versus University of British Columbia Thunderbirds.
ISLANDERS
These are busy times for Colin Clarke's Puerto Rico squad, with 'La Tropa Naranja' (Orange Troop) juggling USSF D-2 matters with a Group D campaign in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.
After being crowned Caribbean club champions back in the spring, the Islanders produced the result of the Champions League Preliminary Round, as they disposed of Major League Soccer leaders Los Angeles Galaxy 5-3 on aggregate to reach the competition's group stage for a third-straight year. Currently, Clarke's squad sit second in Group D following a 1-1 home draw with Honduras' Club Deportivo Olimpia on August 17 and a 4-1 win at home to El Salvador's Club Deportivo Futbolistas Asociados Santanecos (CD FAS) on August 25.
On the league front, Sunday's game at Swangard completes a four-match road spell for the Islanders, with Puerto Rico seeing their unbeaten run in USSF D-2 end at nine matches following Thursday night's 1-0 defeat at Portland Timbers. The Islanders will now make their way up Interstate 5 for their weekend clash with the 'Caps in Burnaby, BC.
Two former Whitecaps strikers have made important contributions to the Islanders in 2010. Nicholas Addlery has six goals and four assists this term, while Josh Hansen has registered four goals and three assists this season. Puerto Rico's leading goalscorer is English striker David Foley, who is tied for fourth in the league with eight goals.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sunday's contest is the 15th all-time meeting between Whitecaps FC and Puerto Rico, 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 five draws. This includes an undefeated home record of five wins and two draws versus the Caribbean outfit. 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.
UMBRO BOOT DRIVE
Whitecaps FC are encouraging all fans who attend Sunday's match to help families in need in British Columbia by donating their gently used soccer boots and equipment to this year's Umbro Boot Drive.
The 'Caps have partnered with well-known soccer name brand Umbro and Hub International Insurance Brokers for a day of giving in support of SOS Children's Villages. The goal of the Umbro Boot Drive is to help grow the sport of soccer by providing donations of soccer equipment to children from low-income families throughout the province.
Fans are asked to bring their gently worn boots and soccer equipment as donations before Sunday's game at Swangard. When you donate your used soccer equipment, you will receive a 25 per cent discount coupon for your next Umbro boot purchase at a participating retailer.
BACK ON THE ROAD
Following Sunday's match, Whitecaps FC will make their final regular season road trip as a North American second division club, as they pay visits to Maryland and Minnesota later this month. The road trip begins on Saturday, September 11, when they visit NASL Conference rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore at Paul Angelo Russo Stadium in Towson, Maryland. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. PT and can be seen live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
Sunday's match between Whitecaps FC and Puerto Rico Islanders can be seen live on Shaw TV, Shaw Direct (satellite channel 299), and online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 3, 2010
- Baltimore's Scoreless Streak Stretches to Four Games - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- RailHawks Top Baltimore 3-0 - North Carolina FC
- Whitecaps FC Prepare for Puerto Rico - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Forward Ali Gerba Named USSF Second Division Player of the Month - Montreal Impact
- Whitecaps FC Add Midfielder Koffie - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Austin Signs USL-2 Champion - Austin Aztex
- AC St. Louis Host Miami FC on Sunday - AC St. Louis
- Austin Aiming for First Place with Victory - Austin Aztex
- Timbers Down Puerto Rico on Late Goal by Pore - Portland Timbers
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.
