Whitecaps outdone by Atlanta
Published on August 5, 2008 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
ATLANTA, GA - Vancouver Whitecaps completed their four-game road trip to the southeastern United States on a disappointing note after a 3-2 defeat at Atlanta Silverbacks on Tuesday evening.
Despite having youngsters Luca Bellisomo and Admir Salihovic score their first-ever USL First Division goals for the Whitecaps, Atlanta claimed their third-straight victory to begin a busy month of August after strikes by Tony McManus, Macoumba Kandji, and Jerson Monteiro at Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 at Charleston Battery on Sunday. Former Silverbacks centre back Omar Jarun was suspended for Tuesday's contest after accumulating five yellow cards. He was replaced in the Vancouver back-line by Takashi Hirano, who returned to the line-up after his sending off at Carolina RailHawks last Friday. Vicente Arze and Charles Gbeke also had to settle for places on the substitutes' bench, as striker Jason Jordan and midfielder Alfredo Valente took their places in the starting XI.
Though it was their fourth road match in eight days, the Whitecaps made a bright start to Tuesday's game, as they applied some good pressure on their hosts in the early stages.
On three minutes, Martin Nash struck a shot from near the edge of the Silverbacks box that flew over Atlanta goalkeeper Felipe Quintero's crossbar. A minute later, Bellisomo was booked for a robust challenge on speedy Atlanta winger Ansu Toure at the halfway line.
The visitors then created a couple of chances through Valente, with the midfielder having a shot blocked in the Silverbacks box on five minutes before he struck a half volleyed effort high and wide on 19 minutes.
USL First Division Stories from August 5, 2008
- Whitecaps outdone by Atlanta - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Atlanta Tops Vancouver 3-2; Kandji Named Player of the Week - Atlanta Silverbacks
- Pair of Sounders garner honors - Seattle Sounders
- Pair of home matches features Nike Night, rally towel giveaway - Portland Timbers
- Forward sparked late rally in draw against Minnesota - Portland Timbers
- Kandji and Dawkins Players of the Week - USL-1
- Battery faces two-match road test - Charleston Battery
- USL and Beswicks Sports announce agreement - USL-1
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