Whitecaps FC Set to Renew Portland Rivalry
July 20, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - In the third game of a four-match home stand, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-2L-8D) host Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers (6W-5L-5D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Thursday evening.
The NASL Conference leaders will be keen to take their unbeaten streak in the league to 10 matches, while maintaining their undefeated run at Swangard Stadium, by claiming their first win of the season versus their fellow 2011 Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion cousins. The Timbers, meanwhile, make the trip up Interstate 5 after completing an extended break from USSF D-2 action.
Thursday's match between Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers at Swangard kicks off at 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 Whitecaps individual match tickets.
WHITECAPS FC
Teitur Thordarson's side claimed a well-deserved weekend off after finding their scoring touch last Wednesday against Miami FC. Blake Wagner's well-taken hat-trick was Vancouver's first result in which they scored more than two goals in a match this season. The win was also an accurate reflection of a commanding performance against the Blues, with the 'Caps now looking to build on that fine display and put more distance between themselves and their NASL Conference rivals.
Thordarson will also be most keen to readdress the balance with Portland after two tough encounters in the City of Roses. A late 2-1 defeat at PGE Park on April 29 was followed by a well-contested 0-0 draw between the two clubs on July 3. Thursday's match will also give Whitecaps fans their first glimpse of how Portland may be shaping up before their move, along with Vancouver, to MLS next year.
The Whitecaps remain without centre back Mouloud Akloul, who is recovering well from the ankle fracture he suffered back in April. On Tuesday, Whitecaps midfielders Ricardo Sánchez and Jonny Steele were traded to fellow USSF D-2 club FC Tampa Bay Rowdies for future considerations.
TIMBERS
Currently sitting fourth in the USL Conference standings, Gavin Wilkinson's side begin a four-match spell on the road when they visit the Lower Mainland this week. Before their extended break from league action, the Oregon-based outfit had put together an undefeated run of 3W-0L-1D in USSF D-2.
Though they were idle from league play, Portland kept themselves busy with two friendly matches versus high-profile opposition. On July 11, the Timbers defeated Mexico's Club Deportivo Atlas 4-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw at PGE Park. Then on Saturday, English Premier League giants Manchester City defeated the Timbers 3-0 at Merlo Field on the campus of the University of Portland. Goals by Stephen Ireland, Emmanuel Adebayor, and Jo gave City a comfortable win on their preseason tour of the United States.
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 doing his best to be part of those plans is midfielder/striker Ryan Pore. The former Kansas City Wizards man leads USSF D-2 in goals (10) and points (22).
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Thursday's match will be the 64th 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 nine 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. At home, Vancouver's all-time record versus the Timbers stands at 22 wins, six defeats, and two draws, with the Blue and White registering five wins and five defeats at home in the old NASL before setting a USL-1 home record of 17 wins, one defeat, and two draws. The Whitecaps will play the Timbers for a fourth time this season when they host Portland in their final regular season match on Saturday, October 2.
CASCADIA CUP
This year's regular season matches between Vancouver and Portland also count towards the fan-based Cascadia Cup, with the Timbers holding the upper hand after a win and a draw in Portland.
This is the second year that the trophy is being contested between the Whitecaps and Timbers, 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.
CHOCOLATES FOR CHARITY
Whitecaps fans will also have the chance to purchase Purdy's Chocolate at Thursday's game. The Whitecaps have partnered with Purdy's for the July 25 match help to raise funds for the Whitecaps Foundation. Purdy's will have a booth on the concourse behind the main grandstand at Swangard, where they will be selling chocolate bars, with a portion of the proceeds going to the Whitecaps Foundation.
The Whitecaps Foundation's mission is to help create British Columbia's fittest generation of youth by 2020. The charitable organization uses soccer as a vehicle to deliver the benefits of physical, mental, and emotional fitness to youth. Visit whitecapsfoundation.org for more information about the Whitecaps Foundation.
STARS RETURN
The Whitecaps will follow the visit of Portland by hosting another USL Conference club in NSC Minnesota Stars at Swangard this Sunday evening. Kickoff of this USSF D-2 encounter is set for 7 p.m. PT and is part of a doubleheader, with the Whitecaps Residency squad hosting local rivals Victoria Highlanders FC in their United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL) season finale at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets for the July 25 match are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres and online at ticketmaster.ca.
Thursday's match between Whitecaps FC and Portland Timbers will be available live online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 20, 2010
- Timbers Begin Extended Road Stretch Thursday at Vancouver - Portland Timbers
- Whitecaps FC Set to Renew Portland Rivalry - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Faces St. Louis Wednesday - Montreal Impact
- Rowdies Acquire Sanchez & Steele From Vancouver - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- NSC Minnesota Stars Look to Avenge Loss to Puerto Rico Islanders - Minnesota United FC
- RailHawks Announce Second Annual "Taste of the Triangle" - North Carolina FC
- AC St. Louis Acquire Defender Chris Schuler on Loan - AC St. Louis
- Whitecaps FC Trade Sánchez and Steele - Vancouver Whitecaps
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