Whitecaps Look to Calm the Thunder this Thursday
July 7, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC men (4W-5L-3D) look to push their way back up the USL First Division standings when they host Minnesota Thunder (1W-7L-5D) on Thursday evening.
It has been two weeks since Teitur Thordarson's side last appeared in USL-1 action, with the Blue and White ending a disappointing two-match road trip with a late 2-2 draw versus the struggling Cleveland City Stars in Bedford, Ohio, on June 23. The road trip was a less than memorable one for the 'Caps. On June 18, the squad first had to witness their partial grip on the Nutrilite Canadian Championship slip away after Major League Soccer club Toronto FC defeated Montreal Impact 6-1 to win the 2009 Voyageurs Cup. Two days later, the Impact rebounded from that heavy defeat with a 2-1 victory over Vancouver at Montreal's Stade Saputo.
Following last month's events, the USL-1 champions were pleased to be afforded an extended break before embarking on the remainder of their campaign. The 'Caps need to find their league form after recording just one victory in their last six USL-1 matches. That win was the club's last match at Swangard Stadium, as Vancouver claimed a 3-2 result over Miami FC Blues on June 12.
Thursday's match may prove to be the perfect tonic to put things back on track for the 'Caps, with the Thunder currently sitting at the bottom of the USL-1 table and being the only club left in the league to have not recorded a win on the road in 2009. Vancouver's first encounter with Donny Gramenz's side this season was a successful venture. On May 2, striker Marlon James scored a hat-trick in his first competitive start for the Whitecaps, as Vancouver claimed a 3-2 victory in Minnesota.
That win improved the Whitecaps all-time record versus Minnesota to 20 wins, 10 defeats, and six draws. Vancouver also lead the all-time home record against the Thunder with 14 wins, two defeats, and three draws. Thursday's game will also be the 37th all-time meeting between the 'Caps and Minnesota.
Complete match preview: schedule/2009_07_09_v_Minnesota_Thunder.aspx
USL First Division Stories from July 7, 2009
- Houston Defeats Battery to Advance to Semifinals of Open Cup - Charleston Battery
- Ty Harden Recalled by Colorado - Rochester Rhinos
- Timbers McManus Receives First Division Team of the Week - Portland Timbers
- Impact Face Syrian National Team Wednesday - Montreal Impact
- Whitecaps Look to Calm the Thunder this Thursday - Vancouver Whitecaps
- USL Week 13 pro honors announced - USL-1
- Open Cup Quarters Tuesday night - USL-1
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