Whitecaps Prepare For Baltimore Visit
May 7, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - Fresh off an eventful clash with Montreal Impact on Wednesday night, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-1L-1D) prepare to host NASL Conference rivals Crystal Palace Baltimore (0W-3L-0D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Saturday evening.
After making a positive start to their 2010 league campaign, Teitur Thordarson's side have gone two matches without a win. The Blue and White's latest encounter was a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Montreal in their opening match of this year's Nutrilite Canadian Championship. In the midst of a five-match home stand, Vancouver will want to return to winning ways against winless Palace, with the Maryland club playing at the North American second division level for the first time in their brief history in 2010.
Saturday's match between the Whitecaps and Crystal Palace Baltimore at Swangard kicks off at 7 p.m. PT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, 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 more information on our individual match tickets.
WHITECAPS
A restoration of confidence is sure to be the Whitecaps order for Saturday following recent clashes with two of their big rivals. Last week's league defeat at Portland Timbers was followed by a less than stellar home display versus the Impact on Wednesday, as Marcus Haber's late penalty earned Vancouver a valuable point in the three-club Canadian Championship.
Thordarson was very disappointed by how his side struggled to create opportunities against Montreal, and he will now look at Saturday's match as being an excellent chance to put things back on track ahead of a busy month. During the month of May, the 'Caps play a total of seven league and Canadian Championship games.
The Whitecaps have a number of injury concerns ahead of the Palace match. Striker Marlon James picked up a hamstring problem following his second-half appearance against Montreal on Wednesday, and is unlikely to feature against Baltimore. Defender/midfielder Blake Wagner also remains sidelined with a strain in his foot, while winger Nizar Khalfan is still struggling with a quadriceps muscle problem. Experienced left fullback Takashi Hirano will also miss the Palace match, as he continues his recovery from a pre-season knee injury, while French centre back Mouloud Akloul is out for the next four months following surgery to repair the fractured ankle he suffered in last month's home win over Athletic Club of St. Louis.
BALTIMORE
After spending the past three seasons in the third tier of North American professional soccer (United Soccer Leagues Second Division), Crystal Palace Baltimore have found moving to USSF D-2 to be a challenge so far, with the Maryland club still in search of a victory since the season began last month. Their maiden visit to Vancouver comes in the midst of a five-match road trip, with Jim Cherneski's side facing an equally difficult road match versus the Timbers in Portland next Thursday night.
Though Baltimore present another new opponent for Whitecaps fans to watch this season, the Palace squad includes some familiar faces. The former Whitecaps pair of centre back Shaun Pejic and midfielder Kenold Versailles joined Palace after spending the 2009 season with Vancouver. Cherneski's squad also includes plenty of USL First Division experience in the likes of goalkeeper Chase Harrison, defender Takuro Nishimura, midfielder Santiago Fusilier, and striker Randi Patterson. The club also have former Canadian U-20 international defender John Jonke in their squad.
Palace will be without the availability of Zack Flores. The defender/midfielder remains sidelined with a broken bone in his jaw after sustaining the injury late in pre-season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
While Saturday's match is the Whitecaps first-ever meeting with Palace, Vancouver have played against teams from Maryland in their long history. During their inaugural season in the old North American Soccer League, the 'Caps defeated Baltimore Comets 4-1 at Empire Stadium on June 16, 1974. Fast-forward to September 26, 1990, and the 'Pepsi Cup' North American Club Championship match between Canadian Soccer League champions Vancouver 86ers and American Professional Soccer League title holders Maryland Bays at Swangard. The 86ers won the Pepsi Cup after a 3-2 extra-time victory, with Domenic Mobilio scoring the match winner in the 117th minute.
RETURN OF MONTREAL
Following this weekend's match against Palace, the Whitecaps will have a week to prepare for their next home encounter, as Canadian rivals Montreal Impact re-visit Swangard for their first league encounter of the year on Saturday, May 15. Tickets for the USSF D-2 regular season clash are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres and online at ticketmaster.ca.
North American Soccer League Stories from May 7, 2010
- The Impact Faces The Minnesota Stars Saturday At Saputo Stadium - Montreal Impact
- RailHawks Travel To Miami This Saturday - North Carolina FC
- Miami FC Takes On The Carolina RailHawks - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps Prepare For Baltimore Visit - Vancouver Whitecaps
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.
