Whitecaps Travel To City Of Roses
April 27, 2010 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
VANCOUVER, BC - The top two clubs in the USSF D-2 Pro League clash in Oregon on Thursday night, as NASL Conference leaders Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2W-0L-1D) meet Pacific Northwest rivals and USL Conference leaders Portland Timbers (2W-0L-1D) at PGE Park.
With the opening month of the 2010 season nearing its conclusion, The City of Roses is sure to be a buzz when these two Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion cousins meet for the first of four league meetings this week. It is the first trip to Portland for Teitur Thordarson's side since the memorable semifinal series in the 2009 United Soccer Leagues First Division (USL-1) playoffs. After winning 2-1 at home in the first leg on October 1, the Whitecaps reached the USL-1 Championship Series after a thrilling 3-3 second-leg draw at PGE Park on October 4 earned Vancouver a 5-4 aggregate victory over the USL-1 regular season champions. More recently, both clubs met in a pre-season friendly on March 26, with Portland claiming a 2-0 win over the 'Caps at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington.
Thursday's match between the Whitecaps and Portland Timbers from PGE Park in Portland, Oregon, kicks off at 7 p.m. PT. Whitecaps fans can watch this week's contest online at whitecapsfc.com/live.
WHITECAPS
While results have been positive to this stage, Thordarson will want an improved performance from his side on Thursday. The Icelandic coach was disappointed that Vancouver's weekend dominance of Athletic Club of St. Louis was not reflected in the scoreline. Mouloud Akloul's first-half strike was the lone goal of the Saturday league clash, with the Blue and White needing another solid defensive performance from their backline to earn a third-straight clean sheet for goalkeeper Jay Nolly.
It was a victory that was also dampened by a serious ankle injury to new signing Akloul on his Whitecaps debut. The French centre back faces up to four months on the sidelines after suffering an ankle fracture, as well as a medial and high ankle sprain, when he scored the match winner versus AC St. Louis. The 27-year-old underwent a successful operation on Monday to treat the ankle fracture, but his long-term absence comes as a blow to the 'Caps.
While Thordarson will have to cope with the loss of Akloul, the Whitecaps will have Jonny Steele available for the trip to Portland after the midfielder was cleared to play by the club's medical staff following a pre-season knee injury. The former Northern Ireland youth international's return leaves Vancouver with two other absentees through injury. Defender/midfielder Blake Wagner remains sidelined with a strain in his foot, while experienced left fullback Takashi Hirano is nearing his recovery from a pre-season knee problem.
TIMBERS
It has been an equally bright start to the 2010 season for Gavin Wilkinson's Timbers squad. Home wins over Rochester Rhinos and AC St. Louis were followed by a very creditable 1-1 draw at Montreal Impact on Sunday.
Coming off a remarkable 2009 season that saw the Oregon outfit claim the Commissioner's Cup title as USL-1 regular season champions, the Timbers opted to retain a large portion of their squad for their final season at the North American second division level. As many as 15 players in Wilkinson's current 26-man squad played a part in the Timbers' campaign last year, with the former New Zealand international adding further quality to his side in the off-season. Among the returning contingent is midfielder/striker Ryan Pore, who currently leads the USSF D-2 Pro League in goals (four) and points (nine) after three appearances.
The new faces in Portland include defenders Quavas Kirk (ex-Minnesota Thunder) and Ian Joy (Real Salt Lake), former Puerto Rico Islanders midfielder James Marcelin, and striker O.J. Obatola. Obatola comes to The City of Roses after being named the 2009 Young Player of the Year in the Singaporean S.League with Gombak United. There are also two Canadians in the Timbers squad - former Rochester defender Ross Smith and former Toronto FC midfielder Derek Gaudet.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Thursday's match will be the 62nd all-time meeting between the Whitecaps and Timbers. Going back to the 1975 North American Soccer League (NASL) season, the Whitecaps hold an all-time record of 32 wins, 21 defeats, and eight draws versus the Timbers. This included 10 wins and 11 defeats versus Portland in the old NASL between 1975 and 1982, as well as 22 wins, 10 defeats, and eight draws against Portland in USL-1 between 2001 and 2009. Vancouver's all-time record in Portland stands at 10 wins, 15 defeats, and six draws, with the Blue and White registering five wins and six defeats in the old NASL before setting a USL-1 record of five wins, nine defeats, and six draws in The City of Roses. In 2010, the Whitecaps will play the Timbers three more times in the regular season. Vancouver return to Portland on Saturday, July 3, before hosting the Timbers at Swangard Stadium on Thursday, July 22. The Whitecaps final match of the regular season is also against the Timbers, with Portland visiting Vancouver again on Saturday, October 2.
CASCADIA CUP
This year's regular season matches between Vancouver and Portland will also count towards the fan-based Cascadia Cup. It will be the second year that the trophy is contested between the Whitecaps and Timbers, with the competition having originated back in 2004 between then USL-1 clubs Portland, Vancouver, and Seattle Sounders. With Seattle moving to MLS in 2009, supporters will have to wait until 2011 before all three Pacific Northwest clubs can contest the cup in head-to-head action during the MLS regular season.
All four regular season match-ups between the Whitecaps and Timbers will determine this year's winner, with Portland currently in possession of the cup after winning it for the first time in 2009. The Whitecaps are the most successful Cascadia Cup side, having won the trophy in 2004, 2005, and 2008. Before joining MLS, the USL-1 Sounders were cup winners in 2006 and 2007.
...CANADIAN CHAMPIONSHIP COMES NEXT
The next Whitecaps home game will be their opening match in the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship. On Wednesday, May 5, they host fellow USSF D-2 Pro League club Montreal Impact at Swangard Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. PT. Whitecaps individual match tickets start at $20, plus applicable service charges, and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. Visit whitecapsfc.com for more information on individual match tickets.
North American Soccer League Stories from April 27, 2010
- Whitecaps Travel To City Of Roses - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Akloul Undergoes Successful Surgery - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Impact Plays First Game Of NCC Wednesday In Toronto - Montreal Impact
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