Whitecaps Win 3-0
Published on May 15, 2006 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release
The Whitecaps picked up their biggest win of the young season as they downed the Minnesota Thunder 3-0 to move back atop the USL First Division standings. Striker Joey Gjertsen paced the attack yet again, scoring a goal and setting up the winner by Alfredo Valente.
Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Tony Caig got the start to make his Whitecaps debut. Caig organized the defence well and was only required to make one save. Overall Vancouver's back line had a strong game allowing just five shots.
The Whitecaps remain undefeated at 3-0-1 for 10 points, to sit atop the standings. Also undefeated are the Rochester Raging Rhinos at 3-0-0, and they will be Vancouver's next opponent in a top-of-the-table clash in a Victoria Day doubleheader on Monday, May 22 at Swangard. The action starts at 4:00 p.m. with the Women in a rematch with Seattle, followed at 7:00 p.m. by the Men taking on the Rhinos.
Scoring Summary:
20' Vanc Alfredo Valente (Joey Gjertsen) Alfredo Valente picked up the ball from Gjertsen in the box on the right, then did very well to make space for a shot before cracking a 15-yard left-footed rocket into the top left corner.
45' Vanc Joey Gjertsen (Martin Nash) David Testo started the play, feeding a nice ball to Nash breaking into the box down the left. Nash was just to the left of the goal when he cut the ball back to Gjertsen at the top of the six yard box, and the tricky striker controlled the ball, cut inside his marker, and then fired it inside the right post for his third goal of the young season.
53' Vanc David Testo (Jason Jordan) A quick free kick sent Jordan breaking into the box on the left, and his sweet centering pass was right into the stride of David Testo who first-timed his first goal as a Whitecaps from 10 yards.
Game Notes:
Joey Gjertsen had several other chances in the first half. He fired over the bar from the edge of the box at 9', put it high on a chance from in close at 12', and then at 20' from good position to the left of goal had an enterprising first-time volley blocked by a defender.
Minnesota's only shot on goal came at 18' when Matt Schmidt fired a low weak effort from 20 yards that gave Tony Caig no problem.
Vancouver out-shot Minnesota 7-1 in the first half.
The Thunder's best chance of the game came with a quarter hour to go as an acrobatic volley by defender Dustin Branan sailed wide of the near post.
Minnesota drop to 1-2-1 for four points. They tied the Sounders 1-1 in Seattle on Saturday.
Striker Joey Gjertsen was named UMBRO Player of the Game for the third consecutive home game. With three goals and an assist, he is now the USL First Division's leading scorer.
The Thunder have now lost 11 straight games in Vancouver dating back to 1998. The Whitecaps lead the overall series 13-8-2.
Midfielder Martin Nash has played 40 consecutive games, spanning three seasons.
USL First Division Stories from May 15, 2006
- Romario, Ssejjemba named Players of the Week - USL-1
- Lightning announces signings of four Gopher players - Minnesota Thunder
- Whitecaps Win 3-0 - Vancouver Whitecaps
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