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MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC suffer 1-0 defeat

September 25, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


BURNABY, BC - Playing their next to last regular season match at Swangard Stadium, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (10W-5L-14D) suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact (11W-11L-7D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Friday evening.

Former 'Caps striker Eduardo Sebrango came back to haunt his old club again, as he struck the winner in the first half to give the Impact their first win of the season over Vancouver. It was also an ill-tempered derby affair between both clubs, as match referee Justin Tasev issued seven yellow cards in the second half. There was also a sending off for Whitecaps FC substitute Gershon Koffie, as the home side finished the match with ten men.

Friday's defeat was not only Vancouver's second straight of the season, it leaves the race for the NASL Conference title very much in the balance. Second-place Carolina RailHawks will have the chance to pull level on points with Whitecaps FC, should they win at home to Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday.

'Caps head coach Teitur Thordarson played two products from the club's Residency program in his starting XI on Friday. Ethan Gage came in at right fullback for Wes Knight, while Quebec native Philippe Davies returned to his role on the right side of midfield. Montreal's starting line-up, meanwhile, included three former Vancouver players in midfielders Tony Donatelli and David Testo, as well as Sebrango in attack.

A cold and wet September evening did not deter a sold-out crowd of 5,288 from attending this late season contest. What they saw was a first half in which Vancouver started brightly, but Montreal grab the advantage.

There was little of note until the 16th minute when Davies had the first chance of the match for Vancouver. The winger's shot from striker Cody Arnoux's cutback pass sliced over the Montreal net after the 'Caps broke out well after clearing an Impact corner. A minute later, centre back Greg Janicki headed Davies' corner from the right straight into the arms of Montreal goalkeeper Matt Jordan.

That spell of Whitecaps FC pressure brought a response from the in-form Impact, as they created two good chances around the midway point of the half. In both instances, it was a former Vancouver player in Donatelli that created both opportunities. On 21 minutes, the Impact midfielder's fierce goal-bound shot took a deflection off teammate Testo and went just wide of the target. He came even closer to scoring four minutes later with a wayward strike at the far post after Leonardo Di Lorenzo played in a fine cross from the left.

It was a sign of things to come, and in that spell of Montreal pressure, the match-winning goal arrived on 29 minutes. Adam Braz had time and space on the right flank to play in a cross to Sebrango in the Whitecaps FC box. Having got in between two Vancouver defenders, the Cuban forward headed his effort past a diving Jay Nolly in the Whitecaps FC goal, despite the valiant efforts of the Vancouver number one to keep the ball out of the net. Sebrango's goal took him past Lloyd Barker and into second on Montreal's all-time career list with 100 points.

After starting the match in positive fashion, the 'Caps were left frustrated to be a goal behind to their arch-rivals. They tried to reply before the break, but Ridge Mobulu could only find the arms of Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan with low drive on 37 minutes, while captain Martin Nash and striker Arnoux nearly danced their way through the Montreal backline two minutes later.

The half ended with the Impact putting the ball in the 'Caps net for a second time on 40 minutes. Thankfully for the home fans, Ali Gerba's header from Di Lorenzo's curling cross was blown down for offside.

It meant the Impact took a one-goal lead into halftime.

While the first half might have produced the eventual scoreline to Friday's match, the second half will likely be the main talking point amongst all who attended Friday's game.

Vancouver versus Montreal games have a habit of being passionate affairs, and on 48 minutes, that very reputation held true. A late challenge on Braz by Whitecaps FC midfielder Blake Wagner resulted in a booking for the former FC Dallas player and a melee between both sets of players and coaching staff in front of the Vancouver bench.

Two minutes later, more angry exchanges between Vancouver and Montreal players were seen in the 'Caps half after Antonio Ribeiro's aerial challenge for the ball with Terry Dunfield resulted in a booking to the Montreal midfielder and a nasty blow to the back of Dunfield's head.

Proceedings eventually calmed down, and on 62 minutes, 'Caps fans got their first glimpse of summer signing Davide Chiumiento, as he replaced the hard-working Davies on the right side of midfield.

Three minutes later, the Swiss international created one of Vancouver's best chances to equalize following Donatelli's near miss for Montreal. Sebrango took down the crafty playmaker for a free kick, which the former FC Luzern man lined up near the edge of the Montreal box. Chiumiento's curling set-piece got around the Impact wall, but produced a fine save from Jordan to keep it 1-0 to the visitors.

As the match reached the midway point of the second half, more unsavoury scenes took place in the Impact box following a 'Caps corner that was blown for a foul. Dunfield seemed unaware that the whistle had gone and drilled a shot into the Montreal net. His strike caused an angry reaction from Testo, who barged the Canadian international to the ground. The latest skirmish resulted in bookings to both Dunfield and Testo.

Through all the various events after halftime, Vancouver still trailed the game by a single goal. The situation saw Thordarson bring on strikers Jonathan McDonald and Randy Edwini-Bonsu, as well as midfielders Alex Elliott and Koffie.

The home side started to win free kicks in the Montreal defensive third in the latter stages, with the exciting Chiumiento coming ever so close to scoring with a tight-angled set-piece on 82 minutes. The Swiss midfielder's shot, however, curled just wide of the far post.

Three minutes later, Vancouver's efforts to get back into the match were made more challenging when Koffie was shown a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Di Lorenzo. The Ghanaian youngster lasted only eight minutes, as a result.

The dying stages of the contest saw McDonald have the last real opportunity for the home side on 88 minutes, while Gerba and substitute Rocco Placentino nearly extended Montreal's lead in the six minutes of time added on.

Despite numerous events and angry exchanges, Sebrango's first-half goal stood up in the end, as Montreal made it five wins in their last six league games.

90 FULL MINUTES

Whitecaps FC will look to bounce back in their last-ever regular season match at Swangard, as they host another arch-rival in fellow Pacific Northwest outfit Portland Timbers on Saturday afternoon, October 2. Montreal, meanwhile, conclude their regular season schedule at home to Austin Aztex on Sunday, October 3.

Before the match, former 'Caps defender Geordie Lyall was honoured by the club for his 11 straight seasons with Vancouver between 1999 and 2009.

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