Whitecaps update
Published on September 14, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Caps finished the season on a winning note, scoring four goals over the two weekend matches and securing the top home record in the league.
In Friday's game, the Whitecaps earned their first win against the Sounders in over two years, with an entertaining 3-2 victory. Eduardo Sebrango, Joey Gjertsen, and David Testo with the winner did the damage for the home side, while Jamal Sutton scored twice for the visitors. Vancouver scored two goals in six minutes in the second half, to take control of the match with a 3-1 lead.
In Sunday's game, Joey Gjertsen's first-half goal was all they needed as they finished off Atlanta 1-0. With his twelfth of the season, Gjertsen finished third in the league scoring and tied for second in assists with seven. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Tony Caig made four saves on 12 shots to record his seventh shutout of the season.
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A LOOK AHEAD
The Whitecaps will open the 2006 playoffs at Swangard Stadium this Friday, September 15 against Miami FC at 7:00 p.m. PT (Shaw TV/AM 730). The return match in the two-game total-goal series is Sunday in Miami at 3:00 p.m. PT (AM 730). The winner of the series will then face the first place Montreal Impact (14-5-9) in the league semifinals.
The Whitecaps completed the 2006 regular season in fourth place in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) First Division with a 12-6-10 record and finished with the best home record at 8-1-5. Miami, whose roster includes Brazilian legends Romario and Zinho, finished their first year in the league in fifth place with an 11-11-6 record. Miami and Vancouver have been the two hottest teams closing out the season. In the last eight games Vancouver is 5-1-2 while Miami is 5-2-1.
This season the two sides battled to a 2-2 draw in their opening meeting in Vancouver on June 9. In front of a sold out crowd team captain Jeff Clarke opened the scoring in the eighth minute for the Whitecaps; however, the tables quickly turned when Caps defender Geordie Lyall received two yellow cards in a five minute span in the first half. Up a man, Miami equalized with a goal by Mario Rodriguez in the 63rd minute. The score remained even until a dramatic 90th minute goal by Romario; not to be out done, the Whitecaps responded with an even more dramatic injury-time equalizer from veteran Steve Kindel to make it a 2-2 final.
In their second meeting Joey Gjertsen scored twice, including the winner, and David Testo scored the other to give the Whitecaps a 3-2 road win in Miami on August 6. Mario Rodriguez and Francisco Gomez scored for Miami.
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USL ALL-LEAGUE TEAMS INCLUDE 4 WHITECAPS
Vancouver Whitecaps are pleased to announce that four Whitecaps have been selected to the 2006 United Soccer Leagues (USL) All-League Teams today. Forward Joey Gjertsen and defender Geordie Lyall were named to the All-League First Team and midfielder Jeff Clarke and defender/midfielder Steve Klein were selected to the All-League Second Team. This is the first time that Clarke, Gjertsen and Lyall have been selected to an All-League Team; last year Klein was a member of the All-League First Team.
Second year Cap Joey Gjertsen, 24, was Vancouver's leading scorer, and third overall in the league, with 31 points (12 goals and seven assists). The native of Tacoma, Washington and former Evergreen State College Geoduck played in all 28 games this year, starting 26, for 2,151 minutes. Gjertsen was also named the team MVP and received the inaugural Fan Favourite award.
Geordie Lyall, who turns 30 this Friday, played in 20 games this season accumulating 1,682 minutes while contributing offensively with one goal and one assist. The resident of Victoria, B.C. has played in 157 games over eight years with the club after completing a very successful career at the University of Victoria.
Team Captain Jeff Clarke, 28, played in all 28 games this year scoring one goal and added two assists. The native of New Westminster, B.C. was second only to Klein in minutes played with 2,316. In his sixth year with the club, Clarke has played in 146 games, scoring 10 goals and adding 10 assists. Clarke is a former captain with the SFU Clan and was this year's recipient of the Jock MacDonald Unsung Hero award.
Steve Klein, 31, played and started in all but one game this season and led the team in minutes played with 2,335. After finishing last year as the club's second leading scorer, Klein successfully moved from the midfield to back and was instrumental in the team's solid defensive play this year. Klein, the club's recipient of the Outstanding Defender award, helped the Whitecaps finish with the league's fourth best defensive record and third best goal difference at plus 12. Klein is a native of Nashville, Tennessee and was former standout at Bowling Green State University.
Players are voted on by the league's coaches and general managers.
PLAYER PROFILE - DAVE MORRIS
Dave Morris finished off the 2006 season with a goal and two assists in 28 games (12 starts). He also took home the Whitecaps Blue & White Award, which is given to the Whitecap who has demonstrated an active willingness to give back to the community by volunteering and participating in club and community initiatives. In 2005, the Burnaby native continued to impress the Swangard faithful with his tireless work ethic and dedication, registering a goal and two assists in 25 games (9 starts). In 2002, Morris was named Supporter's Player of the Year and Unsung Hero in 2001.
2006 STATS
Games - 28 (12 started) Minutes - 1458
Goals - 1 Assists - 2
Shots - 15 Fouls - 21
USL First Division Stories from September 14, 2006
- Miami FC teams up with Miami-Dade County Public Schools - Fort Lauderdale Strikers
- Whitecaps update - Vancouver Whitecaps
- Thunder launches winter training programs for youth - Minnesota Thunder
- Hollingsworth and Glinton named to USL First Division All-League Teams - Charleston Battery
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