Whitecaps Get Playoff Draw on the Road
October 15, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
BAYAMON, PR - In the first leg of their USSF D-2 Pro League playoff semifinal series, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1W-1L-1D) earned a 0-0 away draw versus Puerto Rico Islanders (1W-1L-1D) on Thursday evening.
Looking to claim a favourable road result before the decisive second leg at Swangard Stadium this weekend, Whitecaps FC put in another fine defensive performance in the postseason, as they shut out their Caribbean hosts at the Bayamón FC Soccer Complex. Though most of the better opportunities fell to the Islanders, Colin Clarke's side found the 'Caps backline and goalkeeper Jay Nolly to be impenetrable during the midweek contest.
Thursday's draw will see matters decided back in Burnaby, BC, on Sunday afternoon, with the Blue and White sure to fancy their chances of claiming the semifinal series victory in front of their own supporters.
Playing in their away strip of all blue, Whitecaps FC were unchanged from Sunday's second-leg match versus Portland Timbers in Oregon. However, it was La Tropa Naranja (The Orange Troop) that made the brighter start to this first leg on a typically hot and humid evening in Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
Just five minutes in, a fine run by striker Kendall Jagdeosingh saw the Trinidad & Tobago native elude a number of Vancouver challenges before striking a low shot that Nolly tipped just enough as it hit the far post and out.
As good of a chance as it was, much of the first-half action saw little to choose between the two clubs on the complex's artificial turf surface. Puerto Rico's David Foley struck a shot wide from the edge of the Vancouver box on 33 minutes, while 'Caps winger Philippe Davies struck a 35-yard free kick off wide of the target a minute later.
Vancouver's best chance of the half fell to striker Cody Arnoux on 39 minutes. Yet, after getting on the end of a fine through ball from strike partner Martin Nash and eluding the attentions of an Islanders defender, the former Wake Foprest University star fired his shot wide of the Puerto Rico goal. The chance proved to be the last meaningful contribution from Arnoux, as he forced off with an injury before the break, with youngster Kyle Porter coming on in his place.
The final chance of the half fell to former 'Caps striker Josh Hansen. His deflected free kick brought an important save from Nolly to keep the match scoreless at halftime.
With the first leg still in the balance, the Islanders had 45 minutes left to make the most of their home match in this semifinal series. Though Clarke's side pressed forward soon after the restart, Whitecaps FC looked organized and assured in their defensive third.
Mindful of the hot and humid conditions, 'Caps head coach Teitur Thordarson introduced fresh legs in the second half. Chris Williams, Ridge Mobulu, Davide Chiumiento, and Alexandre Morfaw all made appearances before the end of the game.
While the scoreline was more than satisfactory for Vancouver, Puerto Rico looked to try and claim some advantage in this two-match series. The Islanders' best chances came from a Noah Delgado shot that was saved by Nolly on 69 minutes, while Kevon Villaroel and Sandy Gbandi missed the target with two good opportunities for the home side in last quarter-hour of the contest.
Even five minutes of time added on did little to change the outcome of this first leg, as Vancouver came away from their latest Caribbean excursion with a very creditable playoff result on the road. Both clubs will now shift their attentions to Sunday and the decisive second leg at Swangard, with kickoff set for 4 p.m. PT.
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In Thursday's other playoff semifinal series, a first-half strike by Leonardo Di Lorenzo gave Montreal Impact a 1-0 first-leg win over Carolina RailHawks at Stade Saputo. The result gives the Quebec-based outfit a slim advantage to take with them to Cary, North Carolina, for Sunday's second leg.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from October 15, 2010
- Whitecaps Get Playoff Draw on the Road - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Take Semifinal Playoff Opener, 1-0 - Montreal Impact
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