Whitecaps/ El Paso (R)

[Vancouver Fan]

Whitecaps FC defeated the El Paso Patriots 1 nil in Burnaby Friday night in front of approximately 3000 chilly fans.The Whitecpas midfield dominated as usual but could not find stikers Jordan or Thompson open for decent scoring chances as El Paso played them quite close.Oliver Heald scored for the home team off a scramble inside the El Paso 6yd box in the 34th min of the 1st half.After that,the play became cautious as the Whitecaps sent few players forward.

The Caps are now 3wins and no losses to start the season and have only surrendered 1 goal.Mike Franks made a couple of good stops in the game but was not tested all that often.Defender Chris Franks was escorted off the field with what appeared to be a head injury after a collision with an El Paso player and was replaced by Jeff Skinner.

Rookie Gordon Chin came in half way through the second half as a midfield replacement for captain Paul Daily.Chin,a member of Canadas u20 squad showed poise,keeping possesion for his team in his 3rd appearance of the year as a sub.The diminutive Burnaby player will push some of the veterans for a starting spot if he continues his strong play.

The low attendance was due to the Victoria Day long weekend where traditionally lower mainlanders take off for camping trips.The frigid 6degree weather that caused hailstorms before the match also contributed to the low attendance.

After the match the referee had to be protected from angry El Paso players and coach who seemed to be claiming that not enough time was added to the second half.They were probably frustrated after Steve Kindel and Alfredo Valente played keep away for about 4 minutes in El Paso's end near the final whistle.

The 2 teams don't play again until July 30th in the Texas town.

[Gordon]

Sounds like the 'Caps have a heck of a team this year. I can't wait to see them play in Saskatoon.[8D]

In a World full of catepillars it takes balls to be a butterfly.