Whitecaps FC Set to Battle Portland Timbers
July 1, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - In the final game of five consecutive matches on the road, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (6W-2L-6D) head down Interstate 5 to face Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers (5W-5L-4D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
After successful trips to Austin, Puerto Rico, St. Louis, and Montreal, which saw the Whitecaps win two and draw two, Teitur Thordarson's squad compete a three-week spell of away games by revisiting one of their arch-rivals, and 2011 Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion cousins, in the Timbers. The Blue and White are looking for a positive result versus a Portland side that have found some form in recent games.
Saturday's match between Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers from PGE Park in Portland, Oregon, kicks off at 7 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch this weekend's contest live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS FC
So far, Thordarson's side have not enjoyed their 2010 encounters versus the Timbers this season. The 'Caps lost 2-0 in a preseason friendly against the Oregon outfit on March 26 before suffering their first league defeat of the season at Portland's PGE Park on April 29.
A pair of goals by Portland's Ryan Pore, including an 86th-minute winner, gave the ten-man Timbers victory in a match that saw the Whitecaps do more than enough to earn a draw at PGE Park. Centre back Nelson Akwari scored his first-ever goal as a Whitecaps player in a losing effort. The April 29 clash was just the latest chapter in a series of entertaining contests between these two clubs in the City of Roses over the years.
The Whitecaps will have striker Cornelius Stewart available for the trip to Portland. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international missed Wednesday's 2-1 win over Montreal Impact through suspension. Goalkeeper Dan Pelc (back), centre back Mouloud Akloul (ankle fracture), and striker Marlon James (calf) remain on the sidelines for the Blue and White.
TIMBERS
Sitting fourth in the USL Conference standings, Timbers head coach Gavin Wilkinson will hope his side's wins over NSC Minnesota Stars and FC Tampa Bay Rowdies have moved his side on from a lean spell in the league. After beating the Whitecaps on April 29, Portland went eight league matches without a win (0W-5L-3D) before claiming maximum points at Minnesota on June 19.
Like the Whitecaps, Portland have a squad of players that are all looking to impress Timbers management ahead of their jump to MLS next year. One player that has been making an effort to be part of those plans is midfielder/striker Pore. The former Kansas City Wizards man leads USSF D-2 in goals (nine) and points (20) after nearly half-a-season of action with the Oregon-based outfit.
Like Vancouver, the Timbers also faced one of their arch-rivals on Wednesday night. For a second straight season, Portland played host and failed to advance past MLS club Seattle Sounders FC in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Saturday's match will be the 63rd all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Timbers. Going back to the 1975 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, the Whitecaps hold an all-time record of 32 wins, 22 defeats, and eight draws versus the Timbers. This included 10 wins and 11 defeats versus Portland in the old NASL between 1975 and 1982, as well as 22 wins, 10 defeats, and eight draws against the Timbers in United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) between 2001 and 2009. Vancouver's all-time record in Portland stands at 10 wins, 16 defeats, and six draws, with the Blue and White registering five wins and six defeats in the old NASL before setting a USL-1 record of five wins, nine defeats, and six draws in the City of Roses.
In 2010, Whitecaps FC will play the Timbers two more times in the regular season. Vancouver will host Portland at Swangard Stadium on Thursday, July 22, before welcoming their Pacific Northwest rivals back to the Lower Mainland for the 'Caps final match of the regular season on Saturday, October 2.
CASCADIA CUP
This year's regular season matches between Vancouver and Portland will also count towards the fan-based Cascadia Cup, with the Timbers holding the upper hand after their home win on April 29.
This is the second year that the trophy is being contested between the Timbers and Whitecaps FC, with the competition having originated back in 2004 between then USL-1 clubs Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle Sounders. With Seattle joining MLS last year, supporters will have to wait until 2011 before all three Pacific Northwest clubs can contest the cup again in head-to-head regular season action in MLS.
All four regular season match-ups between the Whitecaps and Timbers will determine this year's winner, with Portland currently in possession of the cup after winning it for the first time in 2009. The Whitecaps are the most successful Cascadia Cup side, having won the trophy in 2004, 2005, and 2008. Before joining MLS, the USL-1 Sounders were cup winners in 2006 and 2007.
SOUTHSIDERS BUS TRIP
The Whitecaps FC supporters' club - The Vancouver Southsiders - have arranged a bus trip to Portland for Saturday's match. Starting at $120, the package includes bus travel to and from the City of Roses, one night's accommodation in Portland, and a ticket to the match at PGE Park. CLICK HERE for more information.
RETURN HOME
Following Saturday's game in Portland, the Whitecaps return home for the next four USSF D-2 encounters, starting with Athletic Club of St. Louis' second visit of the season to Vancouver on Thursday, July 8. Kickoff from Swangard Stadium is set for 7:30 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 July 1, 2010
- Timbers Battle Vancouver Saturday at PGE Park - Portland Timbers
- Aztex Search for League-High 10th Win Against Puerto Rico - Austin Aztex
- Whitecaps FC Set to Battle Portland Timbers - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Palace Baltimore Head to Minnesota for Stars Matchup - Crystal Palace Baltimore
- Timbers Fall In U.S. Open On Penalty Kicks To Seattle - Portland Timbers
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