April 29, 2006 USL Vancouver Whitecaps vs Toronto Lynx (from Whitecaps web site)
WHITECAPS TAME LYNX
April 29, 2006 - GAME REPORT
Attn: Sports Editors
Vancouver Whitecaps 2
Toronto Lynx 0
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Swangard Stadium, Burnaby, B.C. (attendance: 4,555)
Overview:
The Whitecaps blanked the Toronto Lynx 2-0 Saturday night, to pick up their second straight win of the young season, and move into first place overall in the USL First Division. Shortly before halftime, striker Joey Gjertsen scored the winning goal for the second game in a row, while new signing Sita-Taty Matondo put the game away with a superb solo effort.
Goalkeeper Josh Wicks picked up his second consecutive shutout, making three saves on eight shots.
The Whitecaps next game is on the road as they head to Portland on Friday, May 5 for a rematch with the Timbers. They then return for a three-game home stand, starting Sunday, May 14 against the Minnesota Thunder, a 7:00 p.m. start at Swangard Stadium.
Scoring Summary:
45' Vanc Joey Gjertsen (Alfredo Valente)
Alfredo Valente's high cross from the left was weakly palmed by Toronto goalkeeper Theo Zagar while challenging Jeff Clarke for the ball. It fell to Gjertsen 10 yards out, and he blasted a rising shot into the far side of the net.
82' Vanc Sita-Taty Matondo
Matondo picked up the ball in midfield then did it all himself, running at the Toronto defence, cutting into the middle, and firing a low left-footer from the edge of the box into the bottom right corner of the net beyond the reach of Zagar. It was the first league goal as a Whitecap for the former Lynx player.
Game Notes:
The Whitecaps had problems penetrating a strong Toronto defence led by former Vancouver player Rick Titus and Canadian international Tony Menezes. Joey Gjertsen had the first quality chance, as his shot from the edge of the box at 26' was blocked by goalkeeper Theo Zagar who smothered the rebound before Jason Jordan could get to it. At 42' Zagar made a kick save off a sharp-angle blast from Alfredo Valente on the left. The Caps out-shot Toronto 8-2 in the first half.
Jason Jordan had a great chance to get on the scoresheet at 59', when a quick free kick from Martin Nash sent the striker in on goal in close. But nose to nose with the keeper and with defenders on his heels, Jordan was knocked off his feet, and couldn't get a shot away. Despite appeals for a penalty, referee Dave Gantar waived play on.
Toronto's best chances came in the second half, but Josh Wicks was solid in the Vancouver goal. At 53' he easily held a long hard shot from Marko Bedenikovic, then showed good reactions to snare a header from Tony Menezes off a corner kick at 72'. Then in the 90th minute, Wicks did well to hold a hard shot from Jeremy Shepherd.
This game counts towards the Voyageurs Cup, the fan-sponsored competition between Vancouver, Toronto, and the Montreal Impact, who have won it the last four years.
Joey Gjertsen was named UMBRO Player of the Game for the second straight game. With two goals in as many games, he is only one goal shy of equaling his total for all last season.
Defender John Jones got the start to make his Whitecaps debut.
Midfielder Martin Nash has played 38 consecutive games, spanning three seasons.
Whitecaps: 0.Josh Wicks - 22.John Jones (14.Tony Donatelli 61'), 3.Steve Klein, 4.Adrian Cann, 8.Steve Kindel - 6.Jay Alberts (20.Dave Morris 54'), 2.Jeff Clarke, 7.Martin Nash (19.Sita-Taty Matondo 71'), 9.Alfredo Valente (11.David Testo 58') - 17.Joey Gjertsen, 26.Jason Jordan (25.Anthony Noreiga 86')
Toronto: 22.Theo Zagar - 3.Rick Titus, 5.Tony Menezes, 6.Andres Arango, 17.Chris Williams - 4.Joe Mattacchione (23.Gordon Chin 69'), 13.Jamie Dodds, 11.Darren Baxter (16.Niels Dekker 45'), 12.Marko Bedenikovic (21.Osni Neto 71') - 9.David DiPlacido (25.Huffman Eja-Tabe 78'), 15.Matthew Palleschi (19.Jeremy Shepherd 58')
Shots: Vancouver 11 Toronto 8
Saves: Vancouver 3 Toronto 4
Fouls: Vancouver 15 Toronto 19
Offside: Vancouver 2 Toronto 0
Corner Kicks: Vancouver 6 Toronto 4
Referee: Dave Gantar (Edmonton)
Cautions:
Vancouver: Nash 66'
Toronto: none
.
.