Thursday, October 9, 2008

TAMPA, FL – Heading into the 2006 USL First Division Championship, the storyline was squarely focused on the Vancouver Whitecaps and their coach Bob Lilley as both looked to end their runs of postseason misfortune. A suspension to striker Eduardo Sebrango, however, threatened to cost them that opportunity as they faced the three-time league champion Rochester Rhinos.

The fourth-seeded Whitecaps came into the game having knocked out the regular season champion Montreal Impact 2-0 in series overtime after the 180 minutes of regulation play finished scoreless. But the victory came at a price as Sebrango, who missed most of the season with a broken foot, celebrated the opening and winning goal against his former club by removing his shirt. It was his second yellow of the match and left him out of the selection pool for the final.

"I asked before the game, 'Can I take my shirt off?'" Sebrango told The Province while reminiscing after eliminating Montreal once again on Sunday, "and they said, 'You're OK, you only have one yellow card [in the playoffs].'"

This time around Sebrango chose to celebrate his new series-winning strike with a fully-clothed front flip. Don’t blame him for being cautious even though he had the one caution (two to spare before suspension). He also had missed the 2001 Final as a member of the Hershey Wildcats due to injury. Good reason for the Cuban to be nervous.

"I wanted something new and that was pretty good wasn't it -- for an old man?" he said. "I'm so happy to get this opportunity [to play in the final]."

More on Sebrango from The Province [+]

But Sebrango’s absence in 2006 was not enough for the Rhinos as Vancouver took advantage of an unfortunate Rochester error and pulled away for its first USL First Division title.

The Whitecaps captured their first USL First Division Championship in their 14th season in the league with Head Coach Bob Lilley ending his winless playoff history in Rochester (0-7-0) with a 3-0 victory. It was the first win by the visiting team in league history in a single game final in 16 occasions.

A Joey Gjertsen cross into the box in the 45th minute opened the scoring when it was deflected by Rhino defender Nate Craft just inside the far post for an own goal and a 1-0 lead for the visitors seconds before the break.

Nine minutes into the second half Gjertsen set up the second goal. Charging down the right side of the field and into the box, he sent the ball into the center of the box as a defender came sliding in, and found
Tony Donatelli open 14 yards out. Donatelli took a touch to set up his shot, burying the ball over the shoulder of Scott Vallow from 13 yards out.

From there, the Vancouver midfield and defense clamped down on the play, limiting the Rhinos opportunities the remainder of the second half.

A shot from Gjertsen from 24 yards out nearly made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute, but it sailed just over the bar.

The Rhinos, who had the better of play and had a goal negated by offsides in the first 10 minutes of the first half, had a series of chances to cut into the lead down the stretch however.

Connally Edozien sent a cross from the right side of the box in the 66th minute, but Jonathan Steele's header at the far side went just wide.

In the 78th, a ball into the center of the box was missed on a bicycle kick attempt from Connally Edozien, but fell to Steele, who missed a wide open opportunity.

Nine minutes from full time, the Rhinos got the ball deep into box with John Ball, but could not get a good shot off.

The final goal in the 86th minute was a stunner as Sita-Taty Matondo came off the bench to score within seconds of entering the game. A through ball up the middle from David Testo sent Matondo on a breakaway that drew Vallow out. Matondo beat Vallow outside the box with his first touch and slipped the ball home with his second for the commanding lead to seal the championship.

Jeff Clarke was honored as the USL First Division Championship Game Most Valuable Player for his play at midfield.

Six players in the lineup for the Whitecaps are back for Sunday’s USL First Division Championship. They are looking to claim their second title with Vancouver. Also with Vancouver is Charles Gbeke, who came off the bench for Rochester in the 2006 Final. Gbeke’s Rhinos teammate Jonathan Steele will now be the opposition as the 2008 USL First Division Most Valuable Player finalist brings his Puerto Rico Islanders into the contest.

RELATED:

2006 Semifinal Series Video [+]   

2006 Championship Video Highlights [+]   

The 2006 Championship Statistical Report [+]