MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps to Take on Miami

Published on June 11, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


Vancouver Whitecaps FC men (3W-4L-2D) look to put their league form back on track when they host Miami FC Blues (2W-4L-1D) on Friday evening.

Teitur Thordarson's side have not had the best fortune in their recent USL First Division contests, with the Blue and White now aiming to put a halt to a three-match losing streak in the league. Defeats to Rochester Rhinos, Portland Timbers, and Montreal Impact have left the 'Caps well off the pace of the early-season frontrunners in USL-1, and in need of getting back to winning ways following the recent distraction of the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

They host a Miami FC side that nearly missed the 2009 season following doubts over their future as a club. Despite making a bright start to their campaign, the Blues head for Vancouver without a victory in their last five league matches and sitting near the bottom of the USL-1 standings, though they have played the fewest amount of matches of any club in the league at this stage of the season.

The Blues will be confident of earning a result at Swangard, with Miami FC having claimed one win, one defeat, and two draws all-time on the Lower Mainland. This contrasts to the five-straight defeats that the South Florida club have suffered at home to the Whitecaps since the 2006 season. Vancouver's overall record versus the Blues stands at six wins, one defeat, and two draws all-time.

WHITECAPS

The excitement brought about by the Whitecaps run in the Canadian Championship has been tempered by the club's poor recent run in USL-1, with Sunday's defeat to Montreal leaving the 'Caps sitting in the bottom half of the table. The aim of getting a result against Miami FC has been made all the more important, as Vancouver will head out on the road for two matches versus Montreal and Cleveland City Stars to complete the month of June.

Thordarson is keen to send 'Caps fans home happy on Friday night. "There has been a lot of focus around the Canadian Championship, but that is over, so we must now focus on matters in the league," he told whitecapsfc.com. "We can't worry too much about the teams that are well out in front right now. We just need to focus on our games and performing in each one of them as they come. The big thing for us this week has been to cut out the individual mistakes that led to the goals we conceded against Montreal."

The Whitecaps face some injury concerns at centre back for Friday's game. Jeff Parke will miss the visit of the Blues with turf toe, while Wesley Charles is a doubt after taking a heavy knock on his hip in Sunday's defeat to the Impact. Winger Justin Moose remains sidelined with a foot problem, while defender Geordie Lyall continues to struggle with a hamstring injury. The good news for the 'Caps is that striker Marlon James has overcome his hamstring problem and will be in the 18-player squad.

MIAMI FC

It was not until March 18 that owners Traffic Sports committed the Blues to the 2009 USL-1 season. The late notice left Miami FC's head coach - Brazilian World Cup winner Zinho - with little time to assemble his squad.

Though time was not on their side, Miami FC have several returning players to call upon, as well as some key additions. Experienced Colombian striker Diego Serna played in Major League Soccer for the now-defunct Miami Fusion, while El Salvador international midfielder Edwin Miranda played for Puerto Rico Islanders last season. The Blues also have a former Whitecaps player their ranks. Striker Alen Marcina joined the Blues in the offseason after splitting time between Minnesota Thunder and Rochester in 2008. The Surrey, BC, native ended the 2007 campaign as a member of the 'Caps.

Zinho's side started the season brightly enough with home wins over Cleveland and Montreal in April, but four straight defeats followed by an away draw with Minnesota likely means another battle to make the playoffs for the Blues, with Miami FC last appearing in the postseason back in 2006. They do travel to Vancouver with a win under their belts, having advanced to the second round of the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup after a first-round victory over amateur club Lynch's Irish Pub FC from Jacksonville, Florida, on Tuesday night.

Despite their recent woes, Thordarson believes the Blues are a quality side. "They are still a good team and have a lot good players down there," said the Icelandic tactician. "They have a lot of individual players that can influence a game, so we will have to be aware of that. We have to do everything we can to be in control of this game, otherwise they will hurt us. The games we had with Miami last year were quite entertaining, with both sides creating a lot of chances. I expect Friday's game will be similar."

Following their trip to Vancouver, Miami FC return home to host USL-1 expansion club Austin Aztex on Sunday before hosting league leaders Charleston Battery in their US Open Cup second-round match next Tuesday night.

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Major League Soccer Stories from June 11, 2009


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