Caps Insider

[Winnipeg Fury]

Caps Insider

August 2, 2004

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Congratulations to the Whitecaps Women, and coach Chris Bennett, for their undefeated season, and the 1-0 win over Seattle in Saturday’s Western Final. Martina Franko’s thumping header in first half stoppage time saw the Women through to the W-League Final Four, which takes place in Ottawa this coming weekend. The corner that led to the goal was perfectly driven by Ashley McGhee, making me wonder why she wouldn’t take more of them. Amber Allen had a great second half chance to salt the game away, but her chip over Seattle keeper Meghan Miller went off the post. Erin McLeod shared player of the game honours with Franko, after making several key stops including one point blank off Sounder striker Tina Frimpong half an hour in. What makes the Women’s record so impressive, is that they accomplished it without Diana Artuso, who’s all time goal and points mark were eclipsed by Franko on the winning goal. The Whitecaps were also without their U-19 stars Brittany Timko, Kara Lang and Katie Thorlakson for most of the campaign.

With the Men, Friday night’s 1-1 draw with Calgary had a bit of everything. A Swangard-era record established by goalkeeper Alex Marques, a missed penalty by Johnny Sulentic, a bloodied Justin Thompson, and a last-second equalizer by Mustang striker Steffen Holdt…

In the 34th minute of Friday’s Match, Alex Marques eclipsed a clean-sheet record from 1990, established by my colleague Paul Dolan, which he shared with Rob Merkl at 504 minutes. The Portuguese keeper could still be working on that streak, had the last kick of regulation not been a screamer from a guy who was dormant most of the night, Calgary striker Stefan Holdt. Marques did get his fingertips to it, but not enough to see the run of bagels officially end at 561 minutes.

Interestingly, Justin Thompson’s clash of heads that left him with 7 stitches and a place on the bench, kept his unique streak alive. The rugged defender has played in every minute of the Whitecaps 9 clean sheets this season. The club record with him in the line-up is 11-0-2! Ironically, it was the man replacing Thompson, Chris Franks, who was beaten at the top of the box by Holdt, who unleashed a wicked strike to the top left hand corner. That’s not as much a indictment of Franks’ play, as a compliment to the 23-year-old Thompson, who’s not only been rock solid at the back, but positions himself for a decent scoring chance usually once per game.

Neither of the two regular penalty takers were on the pitch when Jason Jordan nutmegged CJ Peszneker and then drew a spot kick early in the second half. Oliver Heald and Carlo Corazzin were both eventually subbed in, (Corazzin’s 50th appearance for the club) but not before Johnny Sulentic was denied from 12 yards. Calgary keeper Lutz Pfannenstiel dove to his right to stop the shot, making it the second time this season a Whitecap has missed from the penalty spot. Oliver Heald struck the bar in Edmonton, in a match the Caps still went on to win 1-0. Pfannenstiel was eager to get a copy of the game tape to send overseas, where he has been shortlisted for a back-up role with Leeds United. Having seen some of those awkward punches, I wonder if he’d survive at Elland Road. The Leeds fans can be more brutal than even the Southsiders!

Some news on the two fan-based cup competitions…the 1-1 draw with Calgary saw both teams mathematically eliminated from Voyageurs Cup contention. The Canadian Supporters club awarded trophy is presented to the team which takes the most points from designated all-Canadian matches. The Montreal Impact have held the cup for the last two seasons, and are favourites again this year, although Edmonton does have a chance with two games left, which includes a visit to Montreal August 25th.

Meanwhile, Portland’s 2-2 draw with Seattle last week, meant the Whitecaps clinched the Cascadia Cup, contested between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland. Even though the trophy is new this year, standings have been recorded for the past three seasons by several groups, including one calling itself “Close the Roof”. Vancouver topped the derby standings in 2001, and the Sounders have finished first for the last two seasons. The trophy will be awarded prior to Whitecaps Sounders Sunday afternoon match August 15th.

Peter Schaad provides colour commentary for the Whitecaps this Week.

Join Hosts Craig MacEwen, Bob Lenarduzzi and Peter Schaad as they take a look inside Vancouver Whitecaps A- League Soccer Team, through Features,Highlights and Game Previews on Whitecaps this Week.