Whitecaps FC Set for Toronto FC Showdown

May 18, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Needing a victory to get back into the hunt for the Voyageurs Cup, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-1D) host Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC (2W-0L-0D) in their final home match of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

With three matches remaining in the competition, Teitur Thordarson's side must look to claim maximum points versus the defending champions at Swangard Stadium after starting the tournament with a disappointing 1-1 home draw versus Montreal Impact on May 5. They face a TFC side that are looking for their first win in Vancouver in club history, with a victory on Wednesday securing the Voyageurs Cup title for Preki's side for a second straight year.

Wednesday's match between the Whitecaps and Toronto FC at Swangard kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT. Individual tickets for the midweek clash start at $21.50, 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 individual match tickets.

NUTRILITE CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

With the 2010 tournament now at the midway point, the scenario is a clear one for the Whitecaps. Toronto FC's two wins over Montreal have them in the driver's seat to repeat as Voyageurs Cup champions, with the Impact's hopes already at an end after three matches played. While avoiding defeat to TFC on Wednesday is the least the Whitecaps can afford, the aim for Thordarson's side must be three straight victories. For this to be achieved, the 'Caps must win home and away versus The Reds, as well as claim victory on the road versus Montreal on Wednesday, May 26.

As big a task as it seems, the 'Caps know it is very much possible for them to turn the tide in this competition. Last year, Vancouver bounced back from an away defeat in Toronto to roll off three straight victories and apply huge pressure on TFC to overcome their superior goal difference in the tournament's final match. Remarkably, and much to the disbelief of all Whitecaps faithful, the MLS club's 6-1 victory at Montreal saw the Canadian Championship cruelly slip from the hands of the Whitecaps.

WHITECAPS FC

While a second-straight 0-0 draw at home on Saturday may have highlighted the Whitecaps struggles in front of goal, fans will have been encouraged by an improved performance in their first USSF D-2 Pro League meeting with Montreal. With some key players being rested for Wednesday's big match, Thordarson was pleased to see his weekend line-up battle well against a near full-strength Impact squad.

The sense of urgency and work rate that was seen on Saturday restricted Montreal from being able to dictate the pace of the match with their ball possession qualities. It will be those same attributes that the Whitecaps will need to apply, if they are to continue the club's favourable all-time record against TFC. Fans should expect the return of some experienced faces to the Vancouver line-up this week, even though there were many positive displays versus Montreal.

Whitecaps captain Martin Nash is questionable for Wednesday's match with a back problem. The club 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 is also sidelined with a gluteus maximus injury. Youngster Ethan Gage, meanwhile, in the Netherlands for a 12-day camp with the Canadian U-20 national team.

TORONTO FC

The turbulence that TFC endured in the early stages of the 2010 MLS season looks to be well behind Preki's side. The Serbian-born coach made several changes to his squad, which resulted in a slow start to their fourth season of existence. Yet, with three home wins under their belt, The Reds have rebounded well to sit third in the MLS Eastern Conference standings with a 3W-4L-1D record. That BMO Field winning streak extends to four matches when you include their Canadian Championship result over Montreal on April 28.

Having found a good run of form, TFC also arrive in Vancouver on the back of a three-match unbeaten streak. Toronto's first road win of the season came against the Impact in Montreal last Wednesday, while their first draw in the league this season was a very creditable one, as the Southern Ontario outfit held MLS pacesetters Los Angeles Galaxy to a 0-0 result at The Home Depot Center. They now set their sights on wrapping up this three-match road trip by retaining the Voyageurs Cup and landing Canada's lone spot in the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League with a win at Swangard.

The Reds have two key injury concerns for Wednesday's match. Canadian international Julian de Guzman is a major doubt after pulling out of Saturday's draw in Los Angeles with a hamstring injury, while striker O'Brian White is also a doubt after picking up an ankle sprain. Defender Dan Gargan could return to action for TFC after missing their last two matches with an ankle problem.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Wednesday's match will be Vancouver's fifth all-time meeting with Toronto FC, with the Whitecaps holding a favourable record of two wins, one defeat, and one draw since 2008. This includes an undefeated record of one win and one draw versus TFC at Swangard. On July 9, 2008, a pair of Eduardo Sebrango goals gave the Whitecaps a 2-2 home draw with The Reds, while on June 2, 2009, Ansu Toure's first two goals for the Blue and White helped Vancouver to a memorable 2-0 home victory over TFC. The 'Caps will face the MLS outfit one more time this season. On June 2, Thordarson's side will take part in the final Canadian Championship match of 2010 when they battle TFC at their BMO Field home.

HOSTING TORONTO CLUBS

TFC's visits to the Lower Mainland in the past two seasons makes them the seventh different Toronto-based club to have played in Vancouver in Canadian professional soccer history. The Whitecaps have a favourable all-time home record against teams from Canada's largest city, having amassed 23 wins, six defeats, and five draws between 1975 and 2009.

In the North American Soccer League days, Vancouver recorded nine wins and four defeats at home to Toronto Metros-Croatia and Toronto Blizzard between 1975 and 1984. The Canadian Soccer League era of 1987 to 1992 saw the club register six wins, one defeat, and two draws against the CSL's Blizzard at Swangard, while in the American Professional Soccer League, the club claimed two home wins over the Blizzard in 1993 and one home victory over Toronto Rockets in 1994.

Between 1998 and 2006, the Whitecaps hosted Toronto Lynx, with Vancouver claiming four wins, one defeat, and two draws against the former United Soccer Leagues First Division club.

RHINOS TO FOLLOW...

The Whitecaps will follow the visit of Toronto FC by hosting their former head coach Bob Lilley and his Rochester Rhinos side in USSF D-2 action on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets for the weekend league clash are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres and online at ticketmaster.ca.

Wednesday's Nutrilite Canadian Championship clash between Whitecaps FC and Toronto FC can be seen live via streaming on sportsnet.ca or as a 30-minute delayed broadcast on Rogers Sportsnet East and Rogers Sportsnet West at 8 p.m. PT.



U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from May 18, 2010


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