Whitecaps top Thunder
Published on July 26, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Whitecaps dominated play against the visiting Minnesota Thunder, but needed two second-half goals by striker Jason Jordan, including a dramatic last-second winner, to pull out the come-from-behind victory. The standing-room only crowd of 5,937 was Vancouver's third straight sell-out at Swangard.
Jordan's goals in the 73rd minute, and then deep into injury time, were the difference in a game in which Vancouver had difficulty converting possession into goals. Jordan, the league's leading scorer, was named UMBRO Player of the Game.
Vancouver's record improves to 8-3-6 for 30 points, as Vancouver moves back into 4th place in the standings, level on points with Seattle, but beating them on goal difference. The Caps are three points back of both Rochester and Richmond with two games in hand. Minnesota drop to 4-8-6 for 18 points and remain in 10th spot.
Vancouver's next game is at home to the Seattle Sounders on Friday, July 29, in a special 8:00pm start.
Scoring Summary: 51' Minn Jay Alberts (Godfrey Tenoff) Alberts streaking down the right blasted a hard shot which slipped through the keeper's hands and dropped into the net at the near post.
73' Vanc Jason Jordan (Steve Klein) Good play by Martin Nash on the left, who dropped it for Steve Kindel, who faked a shot before feeding it inside for Klein. The tall midfielder fired it at goal, but the ball hit Jordan in front who quickly turned and fired it low into the left corner of the net.
90'+ Vanc Jason Jordan (Martin Nash) Tremendous pressure in the Minnesota box, with the ball eventually being played ahead to Jordan, who spun and buried it from eight yards for his league-leading 11th of the season.
Game Notes: Martin Nash hit the top of the crossbar at 7' with a free kick.
In their best chance of the first half, Minnesota defender Chad Dombrowki hit a quick shot on the turn that Josh Wicks saved with ease.
Thunder defender Mike Wilson almost scored an own goal in the 45th minute, as the ball rebounded quickly off his shin in front and skittered just wide of his keeper's post.
Minnesota goalkeeper Joe Warren made several big saves in the second half. At 69' he tipped a header from Carlo Corazzin over the bar; at 81' he blocked a blast from Steve Kindel in close at the near post; and at 88' he made a brilliant one-handed save off a free kick by Martin Nash from the edge of the area, with Steve Klein then firing the rebound wide.
Minnesota nearly grabbed a late winner of their own in the 90th minute, as substitute striker Nathan Knox sent a free header inches wide.
The Whitecaps had 17 corner kicks in the game to Minnesota's two, including 10 in the first half.
Goalkeeper Josh Wicks got his first start at Swangard for the Caps, with Mike Franks sidelined by a hand injury suffered in training.
With his two tallies, Jason Jordan moves into sole possession of the First Division scoring lead, with 11 goals and three assists for 25 points, four points up on Atlanta's Fabian Dawkins. In the last three seasons, the Whitecaps are 16-0-4 in games in which Jordan has scored.
Vancouver's home record of 7-0-2 is the best in the league.
Jeff Clarke made his 100th career start for Vancouver.
Steve Kindel got the start, to extend his consecutive games played streak to 53.
USL First Division Stories from July 26, 2005
- Whitecaps women's jersey auction - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Two for One Tickets Wednesday, July 27th - Seattle Sounders
- USL Names Week 14 Teams of the Week - USL-1
- Rhinos ready for rematch - Rochester Rhinos
- Lynx Travel to Seattle and Welcome Richmond This Week - Toronto Lynx
- Whitecaps top Thunder - Vancouver Whitecaps
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