Whitecaps win big on the road

Published on August 7, 2005 under USL First Division (USL-1)
Vancouver Whitecaps News Release


The Whitecaps turned in a superb effort on the road to get back in the win column, as they downed the powerful Richmond Kickers 2-0. Jason Jordan led the attack with two first half goals for the Caps, who were playing their second game in as many days in the Virginia heat and humidity.

Richmond made four substitutions at the break, and had their chances in the second half, but goalkeeper Mike Franks made some big saves to earn his sixth shutout on the season.

The win raises Vancouver's record to 9-4-7 for 34 points, as they remain in fifth place, but are now just a point back of Richmond with two games in hand. Richmond falls to 10-7-5.

The Whitecaps close out their three-game road trip Wednesday in Minnesota against the 5-8-8 Thunder. The Caps and Thunder split their two meetings earlier this season, with the Thunder winning 1-0 in St. Paul on May 29, and Vancouver taking the rematch 2-1 at Swangard on July 24. The game kicks off at 5:05pm PT, and can be heard live on TEAM 1040, with the pre-game show starting at 4:30pm.

The Whitecaps next home game is Sunday, August 14, against these same Richmond Kickers, in a 7:00pm start at Swangard.

Scoring Summary:

17' Vanc Jason Jordan (Steve Klein)

A great ball forward by Klein caught the defence square, as Jordan span away from his marker to break in alone on goal. The league's scoring leader then coolly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper.

31' Vanc Jason Jordan (PK)

A penalty was awarded after Joey Gjertsen broke in on goal on another feed from Steve Klein, had his shot well saved by the keeper, and then was taken down by Richie Williams while trying to get to the rebound. Jordan took the spot kick and fired it low to the left for his second goal of the game, and league-leading 13th of the season.

Game Notes:

Mike Franks made a big stop just 12 minutes in when he stoned striker Kevin Jeffrey on a clear breakaway. Franks also made a good save at 31' on a shot by Tim Brown.

The Whitecaps had two good chances to extend their lead late in the first half, as Jordan fired wide from eight yards out with an acrobatic shot on the turn at 40'. A minute later, Joey Gjertsen had a clear breakaway, but goalkeeper Ronnie Pascale came out to make the stop.

Former MLS star Chris Carrieri came in at the half, and had several good chances to get Richmond on the board, but couldn't beat Mike Franks. He fired wide from good position at 54', then at 59' had a sure goal stopped by Franks who did brilliantly to recover after being caught out of position. At 83' Franks stopped a blast from Carrieri, with defender Kevin Harmse racing in to boot the rebound out of danger just ahead of two Richmond attackers. Then in injury time, Franks was quick off his line to deny Richmond's top scorer Matthew Delicate breaking in on goal.

With 13 goals and two assists, this is now Jordan's best ever season offensively. Jordan is looking to become the first Vancouver player to win a league scoring title since Niall Thompson did it in 1999 with 20 goals and seven assists. Jordan also took his career total to 70 goals, as he becomes only the third player in club history to reach that milestone, after John Catliff (79 goals) and the late Domenic Mobilio (170 goals).

This was the 30th win for Mike Franks in his Vancouver career, and his 20th career shutout for the team.

Steve Kindel got the start, to run his consecutive game streak to 56.

The Kickers haven't scored in their last five games.

This was only the second ever meeting between the two teams. In the previous meeting in 2001, Jason Jordan scored twice in a 3-2 overtime win at Swangard.

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USL First Division Stories from August 7, 2005


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