Vancouver Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com
Thursday, May 8, 2008
VANCOUVER, BC -- Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1-1-0) look to bounce back from their first defeat of the 2008 season when they host Rochester Rhinos (0-2-0) at Swangard Stadium on Saturday evening.
After opening their USL First Division campaign with a home win over Montreal Impact on April 12, Teitur Thordarson's side endured a frustrating night at Swangard on April 26, as Minnesota Thunder withstood numerous Whitecaps scoring opportunities to defeat their hosts 1-0 - thanks to a second-half penalty from Ricardo Sanchez. The Whitecaps will hope a further two weeks' preparation will see the side take two victories from a season-opening three-game home stand and begin a very busy month of May in positive fashion.
Saturday's game will be the 13th meeting between Vancouver and Rochester, with the Whitecaps currently leading the overall series with a record of six wins, four defeats, and two draws. The Whitecaps record at home to the Rhinos is even more impressive, as they have registered four wins, one defeat, and one draw in six meetings on the Lower Mainland. In fact, the Upstate New York club have not won at Swangard since 1996.
Last season, the Whitecaps met the Rhinos home and away during the month of May. Vancouver claimed a 1-1 draw at Rochester on May 4. On May 20, the Whitecaps had one of its best performances of 2007 when it defeated the Rhinos 3-1 at Swangard.
HOME TEAM
Saturday's game begins one of the busiest months of the campaign for the Whitecaps, as Thordarson's men play eight games during the month of May. The visit of Rochester, however, will only be one of two games at Swangard this month, with the squad playing five USL-1 matches on the road. Following the clash with the Rhinos, the Whitecaps will travel to Edmonton, Alberta, for next Tuesday's international friendly against Major League Soccer side Los Angeles Galaxy at Commonwealth Stadium.
Thordarson will need to make changes to his side for Saturday, with winger Vicente Arze unavailable to face the Rhinos. The Bolivian youngster has returned to Macon, Georgia, to complete his business and marketing degree at Mercer University. The South American's absence may allow either Tony Donatelli or Justin Moose a chance for their first start of 2008 on the right-hand side of midfield. The Icelandic tactician is also boosted by the return to full fitness of three players in centre back Omar Jarun, fellow defender Luca Bellisomo, and midfielder Stefan Leslie. Striker Eduardo Sebrango is also back in full training after picking up a hamstring problem in the defeat to Minnesota. Only defender Geordie Lyall and goalkeeper Jay Nolly remained sidelined with injuries. Lyall is suffering from a thigh problem, while Nolly is recovering from a meniscus problem in his knee.
Though most of his squad is available, Thordarson expects a difficult test from the Rhinos. "Even though it will be a totally different game from Minnesota, Rochester may cause us the same problems by being very solid defensively, so we will have to be good to break them down," he told whitecapsfc.com. "You saw how we dominated the game against Minnesota. Even though we did not play very well, we created many chances. Had we converted one of our chances, then that would have forced Minnesota to open up against us."
VISITING RHINOS
Soccer fans in Rochester were relieved when new ownership in the form of Rob Clark's Adirondack Sports Club took control of the club. The change in ownership brought swift changes, as former Rhinos and Whitecaps striker Darren Tilley succeeded Laurie Calloway as Rochester's head coach. While most of their USL-1 rivals embarked on their 2008 campaigns in April, the Rhinos had wait until last weekend to start their season.
With their five season-opening games all on the road, Rochester were left disappointed after two defeats at Charleston Battery last Friday and Minnesota Thunder on Sunday. The trip to Vancouver will be the second of a three-game road swing through the Pacific Northwest for Tilley's side, with the Rhinos facing a difficult trip to Portland Timbers on Thursday night. The trip concludes with a visit to USL-1 champions Seattle Sounders next Wednesday.
Thordarson hopes his side can take advantage of Rochester's late season start to claim a second win of 2008. "It's a home game, and we need to take the points at home. That is an important thing," he said. "Having not played for two weeks, we should be quite fresh and ready to attack this game in good shape. We have to make that as an advantage. If we think Saturday is going to be easy, then it will be a problem."
COMMON TIES
The Flower City outfit have some common ties with the Whitecaps. Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto played with Vancouver last season following a move from Montreal Impact last July, while Donatelli had a trial with Rochester in 2006 before joining Vancouver. Of course, Whitecaps fans will always remember Rochester for being the venue of their 2006 USL-1 championship triumph, as Vancouver defeat the Rhinos 3-0 at PAETEC Park on September 30.
As for Saturday, Whitecaps fans will see some familiar faces in the Rhinos squad. Brazilian midfielder Ze Roberto joined Tilley's side in the off-season after finishing 2007 with the Whitecaps. Rochester also have former England international Steve Guppy in their line-up, with the former Leicester City and Celtic man currently serving as a player-assistant coach. Former Portland Timbers man Luke Kreamalmeyer joined the Rhinos for an undisclosed fee from Charleston Battery, while Brazilian forward Mauricio Salles spent three previous USL-1 seasons with Montreal Impact and Puerto Rico Islanders. There is also some Canadian flavour in Tilley's squad, with former Simon Fraser University star Leigh Sembaluk joining former Toronto FC reserve player Evan Milward at PAETEC Park this year.
FUTURE ENCOUNTERS
Saturday's game will be the only regular-season meeting between both clubs at Swangard, as Rochester will host the Whitecaps in their following two league encounters. Thordarson's side will make their first visit to PAETEC Park on Friday, June 13, before making a second trip to the Flower City on Saturday, July 5.
Saturday's game between the Whitecaps and Rhinos kicks off to 7:00pm. Individual match tickets start at just $18 and are available at all Ticketmaster Ticket Centres, online at ticketmaster.ca, and by phone at 604.280.4400 or 1.800.663.9311. CLICK HERE for information on our individual match tickets.
Whitecaps season tickets are also on sale now and start at $172.50. All season tickets include a bonus ticket to this year’s international friendly. For more information, CLICK HERE or call the Whitecaps office at 604.669.WAVE (9283).
You can also watch Saturday’s game between the Whitecaps and Rochester live on USLlive.com or listen to Saturday's game live on TEAM 1040 radio or via the internet on team1040.ca.
