Whitecaps Set For Charleston Battery
August 19, 2009 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-9L-6D) complete a challenging two-match road trip to the southeastern United States when they visit Charleston Battery (12W-4L-8D) on Thursday evening.
Facing a third league match in six days, the defending USL First Division champions head to South Carolina looking to end a five-match winless streak. Teitur Thordarson's side were denied their first league win since the end of last month on Tuesday night, as Carolina RailHawks struck late to earn a 1-1 draw with the Blue and White in North Carolina. It was a second-straight stalemate between the two clubs, with Vancouver still sitting in the final playoff spot in the USL-1 standings.
The Whitecaps will now look to positively conclude their regular season set of matches against Charleston when they visit the Battery's Blackbaud Stadium on Thursday. Mike Anhaeuser's side currently have the upper hand on the 'Caps after claiming a draw and a win at Swangard Stadium this season. On April 11, both Vancouver and Charleston helped raise the curtain on the 2009 USL-1 season with a goalless draw before the Battery claimed their first-ever win on the Lower Mainland with a 2-1 result on August 7. First-half goals by Darren Spicer and Randi Patterson gave Charleston victory, despite Martin Nash scoring a spectacular consolation goal late in the match.
Vancouver face a Battery side that have only lost once at home this season. Last term, the 'Caps earned a split from their two visits to Blackbaud. On May 28, goals by Jason Jordan and Nicholas Addlery earned the Whitecaps first-ever win in Charleston following a 2-0 victory. On August 3, the Battery replied by beating the Whitecaps for the first time since June 18, 2006, when Osvaldo Alonso struck twice in a 2-0 win.
Thursday's match will be the 13th all-time meeting between both clubs. Overall, the 'Caps have claimed four wins, four defeats, and four draws versus Charleston. This includes a less than favourable all-time record of one win, three defeats, and one draw in South Carolina.
WHITECAPS
August has so far been a grueling run of difficult league matches for the 'Caps. After a pair of back-to-back contests to start the month, the Whitecaps are sandwiching two road games in between a pair of challenging home matches this week.
Tuesday's draw in Carolina was a hard-fought effort by Vancouver, as the 'Caps had to contend with very warm and energy-sapping conditions at WakeMed Soccer Park. With the Charleston match-up likely to be the same type of environment, Thordarson knows Thursday will have its challenges. "With all the travel and the warm conditions we're facing, it makes it that much more difficult for us to play tough opponents like Charleston," he said after Tuesday's draw in Carolina. "It's even tougher when you lose key players to injury, like we did with Marlon James. However, we made sure to rest certain players like Chris Pozniak, who we will likely start against Charleston."
The loss of goalscorer James is a particular blow for Vancouver, with the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international facing two to three weeks on the sidelines with a groin strain. With knee surgery ruling youngster Dever Orgill out of the season, Thordarson will be looking to Charles Gbeke, Marcus Haber, and Randy Edwini-Bonsu to fill the men's team's striking roles. "Marcus has done a great job for us this season, while Randy is a player that we will look to use as well," said the Icelandic tactician. "Both Marcus and Charles have worked well together, so I'm confident that can continue. I'm just hoping that Marlon can recover quickly from his latest injury setback because he's been important to us."
The Whitecaps are also without the injured pair of defender Geordie Lyall (thigh) and winger Justin Moose (foot) for this week's road trip. Other players to miss the trip include Vicente Arze, Luca Bellisomo, Philippe Davies, Diego, and Alex Semenets. Defender/midfielder Ethan Gage is also absent after he joined German Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt's U-23 side for a trial this week.
Thordarson's travelling squad, however, does include two players with ties to Charleston. Centre back Marco Reda played for the Battery last season, while South Carolina native Wes Knight enjoyed a successful NCAA career with College of Charleston.
BATTERY
With time winding down on the current USL-1 season, the Battery will be keen to close the gap on league leaders Portland Timbers by claiming an eighth home win of the year on Thursday. Their home record of 7W-1L-3D is one of the best in the league, with Charleston's only defeat at Blackbaud coming on July 11 when they fell 1-0 to Southern Derby rivals Carolina.
One reason for Anhaeuser's side being a stronger force this year has been their defensive organization. Charleston are second in goals conceded (14), with Portland the only club in USL-1 to have allowed fewer goals so far this season (12).
Thordarson knows his side face a big task to overcome a solid-looking Battery outfit. "For us to get a result in Charleston, we must continue to be steady at the back and be patient with our attack play, as it might take time for us to break them down," he said. "There's no question that Thursday will be a big challenge."
Charleston will be without Canadian midfielder Chris Williams for the visit of Vancouver. The former Montreal Impact and Toronto Lynx player will be serving the second game of a two-match suspension following his sending off at Portland on August 8.
MIAMI AT HOME
The Whitecaps will immediately return home and prepare for their fourth match in nine days when they host fellow USL-1 playoff chasers Miami FC Blues at Swangard on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 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.
Thursday's match between the Whitecaps and Charleston Battery from Blackbaud Stadium in Charleston, South Carolina, kicks off at 4:30 p.m. PDT and can be seen live on USLlive.com.
USL First Division Stories from August 19, 2009
- Thunder Earn a Point in Rochester From a 3-3 Draw Against the Rhinos - Minnesota Thunder
- Whitecaps Set For Charleston Battery - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Timbers Add Midfielder Rodrigo Lopez To Roster - Portland Timbers
- MN Thunder Play Rhinos Tonight - Melvin Tarley USL-1 Player Of The Week - Minnesota Thunder
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