Whitecaps Shutout Impact 1-0
July 28, 2010 - U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 (USSF D-2)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
MONTREAL, QC - In the first game of five matches on the road, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-3L-9D) defeated Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact (6W-8L-5D) 1-0 in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Wednesday evening.
Greg Janicki's late header gave the Whitecaps their second straight league victory at Montreal's Stade Saputo in less than a month. In a match that seemed destined to end in a goalless draw, Teitur Thordarson's side found a way in the dying stages to claim three valuable away points against their fellow NASL Conference foes.
The win maintained the Whitecaps undefeated record against the Impact this season, with the 'Caps having registered two wins and three draws in all competitions against the Quebec-based outfit. The midweek result also took Vancouver nine points clear of their next opponent in Carolina RailHawks, though the North Carolina-based club have four matches in hand on the Blue and White.
The 'Caps made one change to their starting XI on Wednesday, with match-winner Janicki returning to centre back after a one-match suspension. The defender's return saw Luca Bellisomo move back to central midfield, while youngster Ethan Gage had to settle for a place on the substitutes' bench. Montreal, meanwhile, played former Whitecaps players Wesley Charles, Tony Donatelli, and David Testo in a 4-3-3 formation, with Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan making his first start in 12 matches after recovering from a groin injury.
On an overcast summer's evening in Montreal, a Stade Saputo crowd of 12,355 saw an even first half of play, with Vancouver making a bright start, as the 'Caps successfully closed down their hosts when they were in possession of the ball.
The game's first chance fell to the visitors on 10 minutes. Captain Martin Nash's quickly taken free kick from the right found centre back Nelson Akwari at the far post, with the big defender's header forcing a good save from Jordan. At the other end on 18 minutes, Impact returnee Ali Gerba had a glorious chance to break the deadlock after being on the receiving end of fellow striker Philippe Billy's cross in the Whitecaps box. However, the Canadian international's first touch let him down at a crucial stage.
Past Whitecaps versus Impact clashes have had the odd off-the-ball incidents of note over the years. On 23 minutes, the latest melee unfold ahead of a Vancouver corner. 'Caps striker Nizar Khalfan suddenly went down in the Impact box - thus causing a shoving match between both sets of players. The skirmish resulted in a yellow card being shown to Montreal defender Simon Gatti by match referee Justin Tasev.
The even nature of the opening half was reflected in the similar type of chances that both sides created. On the half-hour mark, Montreal's Philippe Billy curled a right-footed free kick around a five-man Whitecaps wall, but just wide of Jay Nolly's goal. Vancouver's response was a similar set-piece opportunity for defender Zurab Tsiskaridze on 40 minutes. The Georgian's strike, however, sailed high and wide of the target.
The last chance before the break fell to the hard-working Khalfan in the two minutes of time added on. The Tanzanian international's darting run from the right flank to Montreal's byline resulted in his low cross being spilled in front of goal by Jordan before the home side were able to clear the danger.
It meant both sides were scoreless at halftime.
The second half saw a repeat of Vancouver's start to the game, as they looked the sharper side shortly after the restart. Quebec native Philippe Davies and Khalfan had goal-bound attempts fly off-target, while on 54 minutes, Bellisomo took a Cornelius Stewart lay-off on the edge of the Impact box before drilling a low shot that was saved comfortably by Jordan. On 62 minutes, the visitors went even closer, as Stewart took a pass from Khalfan before hitting the Montreal side-netting from a tight angle.
As good viewing as it was for Whitecaps fans, the Impact always find a way to create chances of their own at home. On 64 minutes, Tsiskaridze had trouble dealing with a ball into the Whitecaps box, with Gerba pouncing on the loose ball. With the goal seemingly at his mercy, the former Toronto FC striker's shot deflected away for a Montreal corner. Two minutes later, another recent Montreal returnee in midfielder Antonio Ribeiro forced a fine save from Nolly after taking a Gerba through ball before breaking in on the Vancouver goal.
With the match still a stalemate, the predictable set of substitutions started to occur from both sides. Vancouver's change on 72 minutes was a notable one, as new signing Ridge Mobulu replaced Blake Wagner to make his Whitecaps debut following his move from Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport.
Though the match lacked goals, it certainly did not lack opportunities. On 81 minutes, two former Whitecaps players combined for a Montreal chance, as Donatelli's through ball allowed substitute Eduardo Sebrango to attempt a chip over the onrushing Nolly in the Whitecaps box. The Cuban's effort, however, could only find the roof of the Vancouver net. At the other end, Jordan needed to be at his best to stop Stewart's low strike from sneaking past him a minute later.
It was a game in which the last chance might prove decisive. On 88 minutes, that very scenario came true, and for the visiting Whitecaps. Wes Knight's trademark long throw-in from the right found Janicki at the far post. Though he had to fight through a crowd of players, the centre back's header found its way into the far corner of the Impact goal for his third goal of the season, and second in as many games in Montreal. In fact, his last goal was Vancouver's equalizer in the 2-1 away win versus the Impact on June 30.
It was another dramatic strike by the 'Caps at Stade Saputo, and although their defensive capabilities were tested in the five minutes of time added on, Thordarson's side held on for a crucial road win over one of their biggest rivals.
90 FULL MINUTES
The Whitecaps will look for similar fortune on Saturday night, as they visit another NASL Conference rival in the RailHawks in Carolina. Montreal, meanwhile, will look to regroup when they visit Crystal Palace Baltimore in Maryland on Saturday evening.
U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Stories from July 28, 2010
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