Whitecaps Settle For 1-1 Draw Over Minnesota Stars
July 26, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
In the final game of a four-match home stand, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (7W-3L-9D) had to settle for a 1-1 draw with USL Conference club NSC Minnesota Stars (7W-9L-5D) in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Sunday evening.
Though the NASL Conference leaders dominated much of the weekend contest at Swangard Stadium, it was Minnesota that took a halftime lead through Italian striker Simone Bracalello. The Blue and White, however, claimed a share of the spoils with a fine second-half equalizer from captain Martin Nash.
Sunday's result extends Vancouver's lead at the top of the NASL Conference standings to six points from second-place Carolina RailHawks, even though the North Carolina-based outfit now have four matches in hand on the 'Caps. Minnesota, meanwhile, extend their unbeaten streak in the league, and on the road, to four matches.
In what was a beautiful night for the Whitecaps final home game of July, with the home side making a couple of adjustments to their starting XI from Thursday's defeat against Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers. Luca Bellisomo moved to centre back in place of the suspended Greg Janicki, while Ethan Gage came into Vancouver's central midfield for his first men's team start since August 7, 2009. Sunday's match also saw captain Nash make his 250th start and 270th appearance of his Whitecaps career.
Much like the hot summer weather that the sold-out crowd of 5,288 at Swangard was enjoying, the first half was full of energy, with the Whitecaps showing a real purpose to put their midweek loss to the Timbers behind them.
Vancouver's attacking intent was evident from the opening kickoff, with their best opportunities coming in the early stages. On four minutes, Nash's fine through ball allowed striker Nizar Khalfan to hit a low shot that forced Stars goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel to make an awkward save. A minute later, the ever-dangerous Blake Wagner saw a close-range header fly over the crossbar after Wes Knight did exceptionally well to play in a fine cross from the right flank.
As the 'Caps ventured forward, more openings started to occur. Vancouver had a glorious chance to convert on one of those breaks on 25 minutes. Philippe Davies fed a forward ball to Khalfan, who then found an unmarked Cornelius Stewart with his back to goal. The Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international turned quickly to strike on target, but Van Oekel was able to deny the Vancouver marksman.
Though the Whitecaps showed plenty of endeavour to claim the advantage, it was the visiting Stars that stunned their hosts with an opening goal on 28 minutes. Captain Johnny Menyongar fed a pass to Bracalello, who then surprised Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly with a fierce low drive that found the back of the net for a 1-0 Minnesota lead.
Vancouver's reply to falling behind came four minutes later, but Nash was unable to keep his curling shot on target from the edge of the Minnesota box.
The last chance of the half fell to the home side in the three minutes of time added on, after dazzling the crowd with some neat skills to elude his marker in the Minnesota box, Stewart's byline run towards goal forced an assured save from Van Oekel at the near post.
It meant the Stars took a one-goal lead into the halftime break.
The lively nature of the weekend clash resumed in the second half, with the Whitecaps looking to level matters on 49 minutes, but Nash's low strike deflected just wide for a Whitecaps corner. At the other end, Nolly was called on to make an important save from goalscorer Bracalello's well-hit strike on 58 minutes. The chance was Minnesota's best opportunity after the restart.
As the match passed the hour mark, Whitecaps fans welcomed back fit-again striker Marlon James for his first appearance since the May 29 defeat at Rochester Rhinos. Then on 67 minutes, supporters celebrated a Vancouver goal from the left foot of their captain.
As they applied pressure in the Stars box, Stewart laid the ball into the path of Nash, who then teed up an exquisite curling finish that beat Van Oekel and found the far corner of the Minnesota net to make it 1-1. It was the experienced playmaker's second goal of the season, and first from open play.
Nash's goal was the least that the Whitecaps deserved for their dominance of proceedings on Sunday, with Vancouver outshooting Minnesota 16 to seven and claiming nine corners to the Stars' two in the statistical department. They also had chances to claim a winner through Khalfan on 69 minutes and James on 80 minutes, though both opportunities failed to test Van Oekel.
There was a notable moment for one Whitecaps player on 81 minutes, as youngster Alex Semenets made his competitive debut with the men's team when he replaced Khalfan to partner with the experienced James in the Vancouver attack.
Though James and Semenets caused the Stars backline some concern in the dying stages, the last chance for a Whitecaps winner fell to the left foot of substitute Takashi Hirano, who had replaced the injured Zurab Tsiskaridze shortly before halftime. After being awarded a late free kick, the former Japanese international's set-piece effort curled just over Van Oekel's goal on 86 minutes.
A further three minutes of time added on could not determine a winning outcome, as the Whitecaps were left to take a single point from a match that could have easily been a home victory.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 26, 2010
- RailHawks Host Rhinos Tuesday Night at 7 P.M. - North Carolina FC
- New Zealand Wine Tasting with Jeremy Christie - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Whitecaps Settle For 1-1 Draw Over Minnesota Stars - Vancouver Whitecaps
- NSC Minnesota Stars Take Point In Vancouver - Minnesota United FC
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