Vancouver Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

Saturday, May 10, 2008

VANCOUVER, BC -- Vancouver Whitecaps registered their second win of the season after a well-deserved 1-0 home victory over Rochester Rhinos on Saturday evening.

Eduardo Sebrango's late strike gave the Whitecaps all three points in a game the home side thoroughly dominated, but struggled to convert their numerous chances into goals. Though frustrating as it was for the home fans, they would head home from Swangard Stadium in joyous mood, as Vancouver made it two wins from their first three games in the 2008 season.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made two changes to the side that fell to a 1-0 home defeat against Minnesota Thunder two weeks ago. Omar Jarun made his first start for the club, as he partnered Adrian Cann in centre of Vancouver's backline. Also making his first start in 2008 was Tony Donatelli, as he came into a four-man midfield.

Rhinos head coach, and former Whitecaps striker, Darren Tilley made two changes to the side that drew 0-0 at Portland Timbers on Thursday night. Former England international Steve Guppy joined Mexican defender Alfonso Loera in the Rochester starting XI. One player not to dress for the visitors on Saturday was former Whitecaps midfielder Ze Roberto.

On a cool, spring evening at Swangard, a crowd of 4,762 saw the Whitecaps dominate much of the play in the first half, but unable to turn their advantage of play into an opening goal.

That bright start was evident right from the kick-off, as the home side forced Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow into a fine save when Alfredo Valente connected well with a volley in the Rhinos box after just two minutes.

Three minutes later, Sebrango went even closer to scoring, as the Cuban hit-man got on the end of a long Martin Nash throw-in before rattling a shot off the underside of the Rhinos crossbar – much to the disbelief of the home crowd.

On 13 minutes, Vallow did extremely well to deny Donatelli's point-blank shot after the midfielder got on the end of a cutback pass from Valente, while at the other end, a mistake by Jarun nearly allowed Rochester striker Hamed Diallo in on the Whitecaps goal, but Cann was able to stop him with a somewhat robust challenge in the Vancouver box, as referee Geoff Gamble waved away any penalty appeals from the visitors.

There was a scary moment on 24 minutes, as Whitecaps striker Nicolas Addlery was booked after accidentally kicking Rhinos centre back Loera in the head, as the Jamaican forward tried to connect with a high ball in the Rochester box.

Vancouver's frustration at not finding the back of the net increased on 31 minutes, as Sebrango saw a header from Nash's corner cleared off the Rhinos goal-line by defender Nate Craft.

The half ended with a more even tempo of play from both sides, with Steve Kindel having the last opportunity of the half for the Whitecaps, as his header flew well off the mark from Nash's cross from the right.

After taking on a lot of pressure in the opening 45 minutes, the second half saw Rochester look a little more organized, as they created a half chance on 51 minutes. Midfielder Johnny Menyongar headed Guppy's cross wide of Srdjan Djekanovic's goal.

The Whitecaps remained undeterred in their pursuit of an opening goal, and Valente caused Rochester a scare with a first-time strike that flashed wide of Vallow's goal after Donatelli played a fine cross-field ball for his fellow midfielder.

On 70 minutes, Addlery had his last chance of the game with a wayward strike that flew high and wide of the target before he was replaced by Jason Jordan. The Whitecaps substitute's impact was immediate, as he set up Valente with another chance, but Vallow again denied the midfielder on 71 minutes. Moments later, Donatelli came ever so close with a header from a Nash corner before he was replaced by Justin Moose.

Then, the moment that Whitecaps fans had all been waiting for came on 76 minutes, as Sebrango scored his second goal of the season after knocking home a loose ball. Vallow did not properly deal with Takashi Hirano’s forward ball, and the loose ball struck the onrushing Valente before falling nicely to the Cuban striker for the game winner. The goal also set a Whitecaps milestone for Valente, as his unlikely assist was his 100th-career point for the club.

The goal brought some spark to the Whitecaps play, and Vallow was called on again to stop Sebrango from scoring a second goal with a fine save from the striker's low shot on 83 minutes, while Moose could have caused Rochester more problems at close range, but his chipped cross was easily parried by Rhinos goalkeeper.

Though the home side had to deal with a dangerous Rochester free kick in the long three minutes of injury time, the Whitecaps held on for the win and an excellent start to what is a busy month of May for Thordarson's side.

The Whitecaps will now move on to Edmonton, Alberta, for Tuesday's international friendly against Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy at Commonwealth Stadium. Vancouver's next game at Swangard is Friday, May 23, when they host Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders. Rochester, meanwhile, will complete a three-game Pacific Northwest road swing when they visit Seattle on Wednesday night.

Goal Summary:
77' - 1-0 - Eduardo Sebrango (Alfredo Valente)
Takashi Hirano played the ball ahead to Alfredo Valente in the box and Rochester goalkeeper Scott Vallow charged out to clear the through ball just ahead of Valente. His clearance, however, hit Valente and bounced towards goal, where Sebrango charged in to fire home. It was Sebrango's second goal of the season, while the assist was Valente's 100th career point!