Whitecaps Look To Give Miami The Blues

August 21, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-9L-7D) complete a busy week of USL First Division matches when they host Miami FC Blues (7W-10L-4D) on Sunday afternoon.

In what has been a hectic month of league action for Teitur Thordarson's side, the Blue and White will play their fourth match in nine days against fellow USL-1 playoff chasers in Miami FC. The 'Caps return to the Lower Mainland after claiming a pair of 1-1 draws during a two-match road trip to the southeastern United States this week. On both occasions, Vancouver were held to stalemates by league high-flyers Carolina RailHawks on Tuesday and Charleston Battery on Thursday.

The Whitecaps split their first two regular season meetings versus Zinho's Blues. On June 12, an eventful match saw the 'Caps claim their first home win over Miami FC since September 15, 2006, with a 3-2 victory. Two goals by Charles Gbeke and a match-winner from Marco Reda earned Vancouver all three points at Swangard Stadium. A month later on July 12, the Blues claimed their first-ever home win versus the Whitecaps after a 2-1 win at Florida International University Stadium. A goal from former Whitecaps striker Alen Marcina and a Leo Inacio Nunes penalty were the difference in South Florida last month, despite youngster Dever Orgill's late consolation goal for the Blue and White.

Sunday's match will be the 12th all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Miami FC. Vancouver leads the all-time series of results with a record of seven wins, two defeats, and two draws. Despite a fine record in South Florida, the 'Caps have only registered two wins, one defeat, and two draws all-time versus the Blues at Swangard.

WHITECAPS

The race to secure a playoff spot will be the focus of all concerned at Swangard on Sunday, with the Whitecaps and Miami FC in a battle with Montreal Impact for the league's last two postseason berths. For Thordarson, the aim will be to keep his side ahead of the Blues in the standings and earn the series of results against Zinho's side, as that may prove crucial come the end of the regular season next month. To achieve that, the 'Caps will need to turn draws into victories. Vancouver have drawn their last three USL-1 contests and are winless in their last six games going into Sunday's match-up.

Thordarson knows his side must try and cap a busy week by earning three valuable points against their South Florida foes. "It's a huge game for us, as it is important that we get a result from it," the Icelandic tactician told whitecapsfc.com on Thursday night. "Once we return home from Charleston, we will have a light training session on Saturday morning in order to prepare for this match."

The Whitecaps will be without the injured pair of striker Marlon James (groin) and winger Justin Moose (foot) for Sunday's match. Youngster Ethan Gage is also absent after he joined German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt's U-23 side for a trial this past week. Defender Geordie Lyall, meanwhile, has recovered well from his thigh injury and may be available to face the Blues.

MIAMI FC

This weekend is an equally pivotal one for Zinho's side, as Miami FC look to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2006 season. Their efforts in recent weeks have been disappointing though, as the Blues have recorded three defeats and a draw since July 26. They now face a very difficult back-to-back set of league games in the Pacific Northwest, with the South Florida outfit starting their trip at USL-1 leaders Portland Timbers on Saturday night before travelling up Interstate 5 for the Sunday afternoon clash with the 'Caps.

After two tough tests with the Blues this season, Thordarson expects more of the same from Miami FC this weekend. "They are a stronger squad this year than they were last year, and have also brought in some new players recently," he said. "They will have a tough game on Saturday night in Portland before travelling overnight to play us on Sunday, so that will hopefully give us a bit of an advantage on Sunday."

35 YEARS PLAYER CARD

The 12th edition of our '35 Years' player cards will be distributed free to the first 1,000 fans that enter Swangard for Sunday afternoon's match. The latest player card will be of former Vancouver 86ers striker John Catliff.

A prolific goalscorer during the Canadian Soccer League years, Catliff led his hometown 86ers to four-straight CSL championship titles between 1988 and 1991. He was the CSL's second-highest goalscorer with 74 goals and is second on the Whitecaps all-time goalscoring list with 79 goals. Catliff is also Canada's second-highest international goalscorer, having scored 18 goals in 44 appearances for his country between 1984 and 1994. Those appearances included qualifying matches for three FIFA World Cups and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

SMOKING BAN

A smoking ban in and around Swangard Stadium remains in effect for Sunday's match. This means no smoking will be permitted inside or outside of the stadium gates. Burnaby Parks, Recreation & Culture have placed signs in Central Park at key locations as a reminder.

Sunday's match between the Whitecaps and Miami FC Blues at Swangard Stadium kicks off at 4 p.m. PDT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at just $19 and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. CLICK HERE for information on our individual match tickets.

You and your family can also enjoy Whitecaps action from 'Boston Pizza Section B' with the purchase of a Boston Pizza/Whitecaps Family Pack. For only $79, you receive four tickets to a Whitecaps match and coupons for one large pizza, four side salads, and four bottomless pop at any Boston Pizza location on the Lower Mainland. CLICK HERE for information on our Boston Pizza/Whitecaps Family Pack.

You can also save over 15 per cent off the regular box office price with the purchase of a 2009 Whitecaps Match Pack. Choose up to three matches at Swangard and be part of the action - even if you can't make all of this season's games. CLICK HERE for information on our Whitecaps Match Packs.

You can also save up to 35 per cent off the single game ticket price with the purchase of a 2009 Whitecaps Group Package. Benefits include reserved seating, a personal ticket representative, group leader incentives, and prize giveaways. Whether your group is 15 or 1,000 people, we can ensure that your Whitecaps experience will be a truly memorable one. CLICK HERE for information on our 2009 Group Packages.

You can also watch Sunday's match between the Whitecaps and Miami FC Blues live on USLlive.com or on Shaw Cable. Check your local listings for time and availability.



USL First Division Stories from August 21, 2009


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