Whitecaps tie Sounders
Published on July 30, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
For the fourth time this season, the Whitecaps and Seattle Sounders battled to a stalemate, this time 0-0 at Swangard, before another large and enthusiastic crowd. Vancouver had the edge in shots at 9-6, as well as most of the best scoring chances, but only one Whitecaps shot found the back of the net, and that was disallowed on a highly controversial offside goal.
Whitecaps goalkeeper Josh Wicks was solid, as he made two saves to earn his second shoutout of the season. Seattle's Preston Burpo made three saves for his tenth clean sheet on the year.
Vancouver's record stands at 8-3-7 for 31 points, as the Caps remain in fifth place. Seattle, at 9-3-7 for 34 points, are in second spot, in the tight First Division standings.
Vancouver now heads off on a three-game road trip, starting with back-to-back games Saturday, August 6 against the Virginia Beach Mariners and then Sunday versus the Richmond Kickers. The Whitecaps' next home game is Sunday, August 14 against Richmond.
The Whitecaps Women meanwhile open their playoffs on Saturday, July 30 as they host the Western Final against the Arizona Heatwave in a 7:00pm start at Swangard. Win or lose, this will be the Women's last home game of the season.
Scoring Summary:
No goals
Game Notes:
Vancouver had the better of the first-half scoring chances, most
notably: a sharp-angle blast at 27' from Steve Kindel to the left of goal, which was blocked by goalkeeper Preston Burpo; and a blast by Joey Gjertsen streaking down the right, which went just wide of the far post at 38'.
Seattle's best chance of the first half was a hard shot by Gabe Sturm at 8' that went just over the bar.
The Whitecaps thought they had scored at 43' when Jason Jordan broke in on goal on the left, hit the inside of the near post with his shot, with Joey Gjertsen firing in the rebound. The goal was disallowed; however, as Jordan was judged to have been in an offside position at the time of the initial pass.
The Caps continued to have the better of the play in the second half. At 58', a teasing cross from Geordie Lyall on the right was just a little too high for Jason Jordan, who sent an awkward header just wide from six yards. At 68' Joey Gjertsen hit the side netting with a crisp shot from the top of the box. At 76', Dave Morris made a great move on the right wing to beat two defenders, then fed it into the box to Jordan 14 yards out, who twisted, turned, and spun before firing a low 14-yard shot that barely went wide of the far post with Burpo beaten. The Seattle keeper made a good save two minutes later, as he tipped over a 30-yard free kick from Steve Kindel.
Seattle's best chance of the game was at 61' as Welton's hard shot from outside the area was stopped by Josh Wicks, with the rebound falling for Roger Levesque, who failed to get a shot off from in close.
Vancouver remains unbeaten at home, at 7-0-3, the best home record in the league.
This was the first time that either team had been shutout since their last meeting, June 26, which was also a scoreless draw at Swangard. Three of the four games between them were scoreless, with the other being 1-1.
The Whitecaps are winless against Seattle in their last nine games.
Including the NASL, this was the 100th game all-time between Vancouver and Seattle.
Jason Jordan remains in sole possession of the First Division scoring lead, with 11 goals and three assists for 25 points, two points up on Atlanta's Fabian Dawkins.
Steve Kindel got the start, to run his consecutive games played streak to 54.
USL First Division Stories from July 30, 2005
- Lady Lynx Advance to Eastern Conference Final! - Toronto Lynx
- Battery loses to Impact - Charleston Battery
- Whitecaps tie Sounders - Vancouver Whitecaps
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