Vancouver Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

 

Saturday, April 22, 2006

 

BURNABY, BC -- The Whitecaps opened their 2006 campaign with a bang, as they downed the Portland Timbers 1-0 in front of a sold-out crowd of 5,722 at Swangard Stadium.

Striker Joey Gjertsen netted the game's only goal, in a first half that was dominated by Vancouver.

Goalkeeper Josh Wicks made four saves on seven shots to earn the shutout. It was Vancouver's fifth straight home opener in which they have blanked the opposition.

After the game, the crowd was treated to a spectacular fireworks show.

Next up for the Caps is the Toronto Lynx, who come to town on Saturday, April 29, in a 7:00 PM start at Swangard.

Scoring Summary:

17' Vanc Joey Gjertsen (Jason Jordan)
Gjertsen picked up the ball from Jordan and then weaved his way through the Portland defence before side-footing the ball past Timbers keeper Josh Saunders from 10 yards.

Game Notes:

Vancouver out-shot Portland 9-1 in the first half. The 2005 league MVP Jason Jordan was soon back to his old tricks, as just six minutes in he turned in the box, then danced around the goalkeeper only for his sharp-angle shot to be blocked on the line by defender Lee Morrison. At 12' Jordan did well to win a header in the box, but sent it just wide, with the keeper stranded.

Portland had a penalty appeal at 42' after Troy Ready went down in the box after incidental contact with goalkeeper Josh Wicks. Instead though referee Steve De Piero gave the Portland player a yellow card for diving.

The Timbers made a game of it in the second half, and at 55' finally tested Wicks with a serious shot. However, Drew McAthy's blast from 15 yards was right at the Vancouver keeper.

Six new signings made their Whitecaps debut: midfielder Jay Alberts and defender Adrian Cann got the start, while David Testo, Anthony Noreiga, Sita-Taty Matondo, and Tony Donatelli all came on as subs.

This game counts towards the Cascadia Cup standings, the fan-sponsored competition between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. The Whitecaps are the two-time defending Cascadia Cup champions.

The Caps have six wins and two ties against Portland in their last eight meetings. The Whitecaps are now 10-1-1 against the Timbers at Swangard all-time.

Midfielder Martin Nash is on a 37-game consecutive game streak, spanning three seasons.