Whitecaps FC Return Home to Face Austin Aztex
August 24, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Back home from another successful five-match road spell, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (9W-3L-12D) host USL Conference club Austin Aztex (13W-3L-5D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Sunday afternoon.
Heading into the final weeks of the regular season, Teitur Thordarson's side look to move past the 40-point mark when they host Adrian Heath's squad at Swangard Stadium. Facing one of the top sides in USSF D-2, the Blue and White are looking to claim a sweep of regular season results versus Austin, with Vancouver only one of three clubs to have beaten the high-flying Aztex this term. On June 12, second-half goals by Marcus Haber and Nizar Khalfan helped the 'Caps to their first away win of 2010 and their first-ever victory in the Texas state capital, as Vancouver downed Austin 2-1. Sunday's match also provides an intriguing battle between the league's top goalscorers in Austin (40 goals for) and the league's best defensive side in Vancouver (16 goals against).
Sunday's match between Whitecaps FC and Austin Aztex 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. CLICK HERE for more information on Whitecaps individual match tickets.
WHITECAPS FC
After spending the past month away from home, and with seeing several new players join the Whitecaps FC squad, Vancouver's final season as a North American second division club is sure to have an exciting finish. Currently on an undefeated run of six matches in USSF D-2, Thordarson will want to make the most of this upcoming two-match home stand and secure the team's place in the postseason.
The weekend clash with Austin will also be the first opportunity to see some of the new faces that Whitecaps FC have signed during the summer transfer window. Nine new signings were made by the 'Caps between mid-July and mid-August, with Vancouver boosting their striker and midfield options for the end-of-season run-in.
The Whitecaps will be without Khalfan for Sunday's match after the midfielder/striker was called up by his native Tanzania for a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier away to Algeria on Friday, September 3. Centre back Nelson Akwari, meanwhile, is day-to-day with a quadriceps muscle problem that kept him out of the 1-1 draw at FC Tampa Bay.
The good news for Thordarson's squad is that French centre back Mouloud Akloul has returned to light training after overcoming the ankle fracture he suffered in a 1-0 home win over Athletic Club of St. Louis back on April 24. Also back in the fold are youngsters Ethan Gage and Russell Teibert, who returned to the 'Caps following a recent training camp with Canada's U-20 national team in Valencia, Spain.
AZTEX
Currently in a battle with Rochester Rhinos for top spot in the USL Conference, and first place overall in USSF D-2, the Aztex make an important regular season trip to the Pacific Northwest this week. The in-form Texas club visit the intimidating confines of PGE Park to take on USL Conference rivals Portland Timbers on Thursday night before heading up Interstate 5 to meet Vancouver on Sunday. Part of the success that Heath's squad have had this season has been their form on the road, as the Aztex have only lost once away from home this season. That lone blemish came earlier this month when Austin fell 2-0 at Puerto Rico Islanders on August 14.
Nonetheless, the Aztex look to be one of the sides to beat come playoff time in this October. After finishing second from bottom as an expansion club in the United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) last season, Austin have dramatically improved on their 2009 record of 5W-17L-8D. Much of that turnaround has been down to Austin's ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis, with three Aztex strikers proving to be very dangerous in front of goal this season. Englishman Eddie Johnson is second in the league goalscoring charts with 10, while fellow strikers Maxwell Griffin (seven goals) and Jamie Watson (six goals) have also found the net with regularity this term.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
This is the fifth all-time meeting between Whitecaps FC and the Aztex, dating back to last season when Austin joined USL-1 as an expansion club. Vancouver's win over the Aztex on June 12 maintained their undefeated record versus Austin, with the 'Caps registering three wins and one draw in their four previous meetings. Last season in USL-1, the Whitecaps drew 1-1 in Austin on April 21 before winning both of their home matches versus the Aztex. On September 4, Vancouver claimed a 3-2 victory before winning 2-1 over the Texas outfit on September 13.
NEXT UP: PUERTO RICO
Whitecaps FC will follow the visit of Austin by hosting USL Conference club Puerto Rico Islanders at Swangard on Sunday, September 5. Kickoff of this USSF D-2 clash is also set for 4 p.m. PT. Tickets for the September 5 match are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres and online at ticketmaster.ca.
Sunday's match between Whitecaps FC and Austin Aztex 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 August 24, 2010
- Whitecaps FC Return Home to Face Austin Aztex - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Win Rowdies Pre-Game Passes and Meet Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ronde Barber - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- RailHawks Continue Road Trip in Tampa This Wednesday - North Carolina FC
- Mayard Selected to the USL-2 All-League Second Team - Montreal Impact
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