Whitecaps FC settle for draw
August 1, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
BEDFORD, OH - Vancouver Whitecaps FC had to settle for a goalless draw with Cleveland City Stars in Bedford, Ohio, on Saturday evening.
Coming less than 24 hours after their impressive 3-1 victory at Rochester Rhinos on Friday night, the Whitecaps were unable to break down the struggling Ohio outfit at Middlefield Cheese Stadium, despite creating good chances during Saturday's USL First Division contest. The result was the second straight draw between both clubs this season, with the Blue and White now extending their unbeaten league run to three matches. Cleveland, meanwhile, have not won in USL-1 in 10 games.
With the Cleveland match being the second game in as many days, Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made five changes from the starting XI that faced Rochester in Upstate New York. Luca Bellisomo replaced Geordie Lyall at right fullback, while Kenold Versailles made his first-ever start for the men's team since joining in the off-season, as he played alongside captain Martin Nash in central midfield. Another midfield change saw Vicente Arze take the place of Wes Knight. Thordarson also changed his attack pairing, as Charles Gbeke and youngster Dever Orgill replaced Marcus Haber and Marlon James. It was Orgill's second start for the men's team.
City Stars head coach Rod Underwood, meanwhile, made four changes to the line-up that started last Saturday's 4-1 defeat at Rochester. Evan Bush replaced Hunter Gilstrap in the City Stars goal, while Warren Kanu took the place of Paul Ballard in the home side's backline. Leo Gibson and Gordon Kljestan came into a five-man midfield for Cleveland, with Anthony Peters and Israel Sesay both making way.
On an overcast evening at Middlefield Cheese Stadium, it was the Whitecaps in their away kit of all blue that dominated the first half, as they created numerous chances to break the deadlock.
In what was a rare start for City Stars goalkeeper Bush, the former University of Akron shot-stopper was kept very busy during the opening 45 minutes by the defending USL-1 champions, as he made several saves to keep his side in the match. The first of those important stops came on 13 minutes, as Bush did well to block Orgill's dangerous run and shot away to safety.
Ten minutes later, Versailles was unlucky not to score his first goal for the 'Caps men's team. Tyrell Burgess' cross found the head of the Haiti international, whose first headed effort was saved by Bush before his second header towards goal on the rebound was cleared off the goal line by Cleveland midfielder Pato Aguilera. On 25 minutes, Gbeke inadvertently hit strike partner Orgill with his goal-bound attempt that Bush was able to collect in the City Stars box, even though he collided with a charging Orgill in the process.
The Whitecaps kept pressing, but were unable to make their possession pay dividends. On 34 minutes, Nash's 25-yard free kick just eluded Gbeke in the Cleveland box, with the home side able to clear the danger. Nine minutes later, Orgill was adjudged to be in an offside position after attempting to get on the end of an Arze cross after the talented Bolivian had taken Nash's throw-in at the top of the Cleveland box.
Frustrating as it was for the 'Caps, both sides headed to their respective dressing rooms for the halftime break tied at 0-0.
Complete match report: men/schedule/2009_08_01_at_Cleveland_City_Stars.aspx
USL First Division Stories from August 1, 2009
- Impact and Miami FC play to1-1 draw - Montreal Impact
- Timbers extend USL record unbeaten streak to 18 matches - Portland Timbers
- Thunder Come Back to Tie Portland 1-1 - Minnesota Thunder
- Whitecaps FC settle for draw - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Austin wraps up two-game road trip with disappointing 3-0 loss at Carolina - Austin Aztex
- Carolina clips Austin, 3-0 - North Carolina FC
- Rookie Bush shuts out Vancouver in 0-0 draw - Cleveland City Stars
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