Whitecaps Prepare For Austin Visit
September 1, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-9L-8D) look to move closer to securing a USL First Division playoff spot when they host Austin Aztex (4W-13L-8D) on Wednesday evening.
Teitur Thordarson's side still have work to do to ensure postseason soccer in 2009. The Blue and White completed a very busy month of August with a disappointing 1-1 home draw versus Rochester Rhinos on Saturday night. The result was Vancouver's fifth draw of eight matches played last month, with the defending USL-1 champions still sitting in the final playoff spot in the league standings.
The Whitecaps will hope the month of September brings better fortune, as the regular season heads into the home stretch. Vancouver will begin the new month by hosting Adrian Heath's squad for the first time in club history, with Austin in real need of victories to keep their faint hopes alive of earning a playoff place in their first season as a USL-1 club.
Wednesday's match is only the second meeting between Vancouver and Austin, with their inaugural encounter coming back on April 21 in the Texas state capital. In what was only their third league match of the year, the 'Caps were held to a 1-1 draw at Nelson Field. Marco Reda scored his first-ever Whitecaps goal before Austin striker Gifton Noel-Williams headed home a second-half equalizer to earn a point.
WHITECAPS
The sense of disappointment that resulted from Saturday's draw with Rochester was not just in the scoreline itself, but the way the 'Caps struggled to establish their game against the Rhinos. "Our possession against Rochester was very poor, and because of that, we didn't establish possession in their half," Thordarson told whitecapsfc.com. "We lost the ball frequently, and with Rochester trying to play in a direct fashion, it meant we were starting from our own third of the pitch all the time. When we're at our best, we have a great mix of possession and making quick attacks. Coupled with our defensive stability, the team is able to perform at its highest level."
August proved to be one of the toughest months of the season for the Blue and White, with Thordarson's side playing a number of matches with little break in between games. Though a record of 1W-2L-5D seemed far from desirable, the 'Caps are looking forward to the final five games of the regular season, with three of those matches coming at home and all of them being played on grass. "We want to finish off the regular season in a good way," Thordarson said. "We're not only concerned about securing a playoff spot, we're also looking to play well in our remaining games and give ourselves a boost of confidence before the playoffs. We want to try and build momentum and rhythm before the postseason."
The Whitecaps are hoping captain Martin Nash can overcome a hamstring problem he picked up in the weekend draw to Rochester and be available for Wednesday's game. Youngster Ethan Gage may figure in the squad versus Austin after recently completing a two-week trial at German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt. Striker Marlon James and defender Geordie Lyall have returned to full training, but the pair are more likely to be involved in Friday's away match versus Minnesota Thunder. Winger Justin Moose, meanwhile, has stepped up his recovery from a long-standing foot injury by doing on-field training with the club's physiotherapists.
AZTEX
The sharp learning curve that an expansion club can experience in USL-1 has been felt Heath's side in Austin. Saturday's 1-0 home win over Miami FC Blues was the Aztex's first league win in 10 matches. As it stands, the Texas club face an uphill battle to claim a playoff spot in their inaugural campaign, with their cause not helped after the league deducted them two points for playing an ineligible player in midfielder Michael Callahan during the 2-2 home draw with Montreal Impact on July 25.
Despite the challenges of their first year, Austin's future remains promising. The Aztex have formed partnerships with English Premier League club Stoke City FC and BC-based USL Premier Development League side Victoria Highlanders. As part of their agreement with the Highlanders, the Aztex have arranged a friendly match in Victoria on Tuesday, September 15. Austin are also looking to boost their fan base after announcing a stadium move from their current Nelson Field home to House Park in downtown Austin for the 2010 campaign.
Despite their recent struggles, Thordarson believes the Aztex will be a difficult opponent for his side on Wednesday. "Austin are a team that like to keep possession and pass the ball, and with both teams playing on the grass at Swangard, I think we'll have the conditions for what will be an interesting game," said the Icelandic tactician. "Having played them early in the season, they were full of energy and confidence. Now they have played a few more games in USL-1 and struggled a bit, but we won't take them for granted. Austin have beaten some of the better teams in the league this year, so we will have our work cut out for us."
Heath's squad includes former Seattle Sounders and Montreal Impact defender Kevin Sakuda and two recent signings. Striker Jamie Watson re-joined the club before last Friday's roster freeze after a stellar season with USL Second Division side Wilmington Hammerheads, where he was the league's top goalscorer and Most Valuable Player. Watson played for the Aztex's PDL side in 2008. Austin also acquired teenage defender Salif Diao-Jimenez on a two-year contract last week. The 19-year-old comes to Texas from Stoke City's youth academy and is the cousin of Senegal international midfielder Salif Diao.
As for Wednesday's match, Austin will be without English striker Eddie Johnson, with the former Manchester United trainee on the sidelines with a back problem. The Aztex also have injury doubts over Mexican goalkeeper Miguel Gallardo-Aparicio (leg) and English striker Gifton Noel-Williams (hamstring).
The Aztex will remain on the road after their maiden visit to Vancouver, as they face Miami FC for the final time this season in South Florida on Saturday.
WOMEN'S TEAM AWARDS
Before Wednesday's match, the Whitecaps will honour the women's team with their annual individual awards following the recent completion of the 2009 USL W-League season.
The club will present awards for Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Defender, Newcomer of the Year, and Fan Favourite. There will also be the presentation of the Whitecaps Blue & White Award, which goes to the player that has made a positive contribution to the community.
TEAM BC
At halftime on Wednesday, the Whitecaps will also honour the players and coaching staff of the men's and women's soccer teams that recently represented British Columbia at the 2009 Canada Games in Prince Edward Island.
Made up of players from the Whitecaps Prospects Men's and Women's team programs, Team BC had a mixed set of results in Atlantic Canada. The women defended their Canada Games title by claiming the gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Quebec in the final. The men, however, did not fare as well, as they had to settle for a disappointing eighth-place finish.
35 YEARS PLAYER CARD
The 14th edition of our '35 Years' player cards will be distributed free to the first 1,000 fans that enter Swangard for Wednesday's match. The latest player card will be of former Whitecaps striker Jason Jordan.
A prolific goalscorer that helped the Whitecaps to two USL-1 championship titles in 2006 and 2008, Jordan sits second on the club's all-time points list with 201 and third on their all-time scoring list with 78 goals. Having first signed with the club back in 1997, Jordan spent his entire career with the 'Caps, with his best season coming in 2005. His 17 goals and 37 points that year earned him the USL-1 Most Valuable Player award, a place on the USL-1 All-League First Team, and the Whitecaps Player of the Year honour. The striker also represented Canada at youth international level, having helped his country to the knockout stages of the 1997 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Malaysia. In 1999, Jordan helped Canada's U-23 Olympic squad finish fourth at the XIII Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
SMOKING BAN
A smoking ban in and around Swangard Stadium remains in effect for Wednesday'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.
FINAL ENCOUNTER
The Whitecaps will host the Aztex for a second time before the regular season concludes, with Austin set to re-visit Swangard on Sunday afternoon, September 13. The match will be the Texas club's final regular season contest of their inaugural USL-1 campaign.
Wednesday's match between the Whitecaps and Austin Aztex at Swangard Stadium kicks off at 7:30 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.
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.
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.
You can also watch Wednesday's match between the Whitecaps and Austin Aztex live on USLlive.com or on Shaw Cable. Check your local listings for time and availability. *Please note that Wednesday's broadcast will be delayed in the Calgary market only, with the match to be shown at 10:30 p.m. MDT*
USL First Division Stories from September 1, 2009
- Whitecaps Prepare For Austin Visit - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Saputo: Impact Will Play In 2010 - Montreal Impact
- Impact Faces The Carolina Railhawks Wednesday - Montreal Impact
- Week 21 USL-1 Honors Announced - USL-1
- Kabwe named USL-1 Player of the Week; Cunliffe selected to Team of the Week - North Carolina FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
