Whitecaps FC Return to Minnesota
September 15, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER BC - Playing their last-ever regular season away match as a North American second division club, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-3L-14D) take on playoff-chasing NSC Minnesota Stars (8W-12L-7D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
With a spot in next month's league playoffs already assured following last weekend's convincing win over Crystal Palace Baltimore, Whitecaps FC now look to secure first place in the NASL Conference when they meet USL Conference club Minnesota for the fourth time this season. This is a big week for the Stars, as home games on Wednesday and Saturday will go a long way to determining their hopes for the postseason.
Saturday's match between Whitecaps FC and NSC Minnesota Stars from the National Sports Center (NSC) Stadium in Blaine, Minnesota, kicks off at 5 p.m. PT. Saturday's match can be seen live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS FC
Teitur Thordarson's side have enjoyed their travels this season. Last Saturday's victory in Towson, Maryland, took the Blue and White's impressive away streak to 11 matches without a defeat (5W-0L-6D) and they are now undefeated in their last nine league games (3W-0L-6D). The 3-0 result over Palace Baltimore was also the second time in 2010 that the 'Caps have scored three goals in a single match.
With three matches to play in the regular season, there is still much at stake for Vancouver. Claiming the NASL Conference regular season title, and with it, one of the top two playoff seeds is now the main focus for Thordarson and his players. They will relish the idea of playing at NSC Stadium again following last month's victory when captain Martin Nash struck a fine winning goal. The result took Whitecaps FC's all-time record at the Blaine, Minnesota, venue to 3W-1L-1D - dating back to the 2008 season.
Another aim for the 'Caps is to head into the postseason in top form. That challenge has been made all the more acute by the number of new players that have arrived at the club in recent weeks. While several of the new faces have shown plenty of promise, Thordarson is looking to improve the rhythm of his squad's performances in training this week, as the new players continue their assimilation to the Icelandic coach's style of play.
Having travelled with 19 players on this final regular season road trip, Whitecaps FC are without several players for Saturday's match. Centre back Nelson Akwari (quadriceps muscle) and midfielder Ethan Gage (broken nose) are in Vancouver recovering from their respective injury concerns, while newcomers Gershon Koffie (visa issues) and Davide Chiumiento have also stayed behind. Meanwhile, French centre back Mouloud Akloul is nearing full fitness after missing much of this season with a serious ankle injury.
STARS
Sitting fifth in the USL Conference standings, and in the final playoff spot in USSF D-2, Minnesota face a crucial week of home action in their quest to reach the playoffs next month. Manny Lagos' side start their final home stand with a Wednesday evening clash versus Carolina RailHawks. Whitecaps FC will be keeping a close eye on this midweek contest, as a result by the Stars would boost Vancouver's chances of topping the NASL Conference. Sitting only three points clear in the last playoff place, Minnesota will be motivated to claim two vital home results before they wrap up their regular season campaign on the road at fellow playoff chasers FC Tampa Bay.
Minnesota made a positive move towards the postseason by defeating American Midwest rivals Athletic Club of St. Louis last Saturday, with the 3-0 win in Fenton, Missouri, snapping an eight-match winless streak for the Stars. One player to look out for in the Stars roster is striker Simone Bracalello. The Italian import took his goal tally to four after scoring twice in last weekend's win over St. Louis. 'Caps fans will also remember Bracalello's strike during the 1-1 draw in Vancouver back in July.
The Stars will have Daniel Wasson available for the visit of Whitecaps FC, as the midfielder will serve a one-match suspension against Carolina this week for accumulating five yellow cards. Lagos is also keeping his eye on the health of veteran defender Kevin Friedland, who remains questionable this week with a calf injury.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Saturday's match is the fourth all-time meeting between Whitecaps FC and Minnesota, with Vancouver registering an undefeated record of two wins and a draw versus the Stars this season. The 'Caps defeated Minnesota 2-0 in their season opener at Swangard on April 11, drew 1-1 at home to the Stars on July 25, and defeated Minnesota 1-0 in their first visit on August 14. However, this is not the first time that the 'Caps have played opposition from Minnesota. Between 1997 and 2009, Whitecaps FC met former United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) club Minnesota Thunder 38 times and registered a successful all-time record of 21 wins, 10 defeats, and seven draws. This included a home record of 15W-2L-3D and an away total of 6W-8L-4D.
RETURN HOME
Following the weekend game in Minnesota, Whitecaps FC return home for their final two matches of the USSF D-2 regular season, starting with the third visit of the year to Vancouver by Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact on Friday, September 24. Kickoff from Swangard Stadium is set for 7:45 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 for more information on our individual match tickets.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from September 15, 2010
- Whitecaps FC Return to Minnesota - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Will Collaborate with the Movie Starbuck - Montreal Impact
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