TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 quote:'Caps defeat TWU in preseason friendly By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com Vancouver Whitecaps FC continued their preparations towards the 2009 season with a 3-1 friendly win over Trinity Western University Spartans at the Burnaby Lake Sports Complex on Friday afternoon. Goals by Marlon James, Marcus Haber, and Alex Semenets gave Teitur Thordarson's side a positive conclusion to their latest training match, with the USL First Division champions completing the fourth week of their extensive preseason as a result. Only a very late TWU penalty denied both Jay Nolly and new Brazilian signing Diego from sharing a clean sheet in the Whitecaps goal. Playing his preferred 4-4-2 formation, Thordarson handed starts to two trial players, with former Charleston Battery captain Marco Reda playing at centre back, while former Toronto FC midfielder Joey Melo partnered James in the Vancouver attack. On a cool and windy Friday afternoon, the new turf surface at Burnaby Lake West Field #4 suited both sides, as they made a bright start to the contest. It was the Spartans that created the first chance of the match before the 'Caps Ansu Toure forced the TWU goalkeeper into a fine save with his fierce strike on six minutes. Two minutes later, James missed the target with a tight-angle drive. The Blue & White took the lead on 17 minutes, as James headed home Vicente Arze's cross from the right at the far post for 1-0. Unfortunately, James lasted a few more minutes of action, as an injury meant Haber needed to replace the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines captain during the midway point of the first half. The Spartans then went close with a free kick before Haber made an immediate impact by hitting the post with a volleyed strike on 32 minutes after Arze found the Canadian U-20 international with a forward ball in the TWU box. Five minutes later, Haber glanced a header wide of goal after fine work by Toure allowed the Liberian winger to cross from the left. Haber had another chance just before halftime, but he had to wait until after the break to find the scoresheet. Despite four changes being made at the break, Thordarson's side went on to dominate the second half, with Tyrell Burgess going close with an opportunity on 52 minutes before Justin Thompson was unable to redirect Martin Nash's free kick on target three minutes later. Then after 2008 USL-1 Championship Final Most Valuable Player Charles Gbeke missed two chances around the hour mark, Haber made it 2-0 with a 25-yard strike that found the bottom corner of the Spartans goal on 61 minutes. The 'Caps were in control of the friendly match at this stage, with Toure striking the woodwork and Ethan Gage having his shot saved by the TWU keeper. Luca Bellisomo was also unlucky not to score late on, but Semenets ensured a Vancouver win on 87 minutes when he finished off a fine Whitecaps attacking move for 3-0. Though TWU received the consolation of a late goal from the penalty spot, the Whitecaps ran out deserved winners, as they continue to build towards their USL-1 season opener versus Charleston at Swangard Stadium on April 11. Vancouver Whitecaps FC men - line-up v Trinity Western University Spartans (Preseason friendly) Jay Nolly (Diego 45'); Mason Trafford (Takashi Hirano 67'), Marco Reda (Luca Bellisomo 73'), Wesley Charles (Justin Thompson 45'), Wes Knight (Lyle Martin 64'); Ansu Toure (Alex Semenets 73'), Kenold Versailles (Ethan Gage 59'), Martin Nash (Philippe Davies 73'), Vicente Arze (Tyrell Burgess 45'); Joey Melo (Charles Gbeke 45'), Marlon James (Marcus Haber 23') Tons of positives from this game James and Haber looked wonderful as wlel as Gbeke and Melo showed glimmers of . Ansu Toure was great down the wing ha d afew nice crosses into the box. Nolly and Diego were solid in net allowing only a late penatly. Nash and pother returnees seemed to be in form. The 3-1 score was quite flattering for TWU and their performance agaisnt the USL-1 defending champions squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nolando Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Thanks for the news link and for your personal notes - much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UltraSuperMegaMo Posted February 16, 2009 Share Posted February 16, 2009 Did Melo play as a forward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKottonmouthed1555362307 Posted February 16, 2009 Author Share Posted February 16, 2009 yes Melo played as sorta a second striker to start the game sorta was a mix of a winger and attacking midfielder/centrefielder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masster Posted February 17, 2009 Share Posted February 17, 2009 quote:Originally posted by UltraSuperMegaMo Did Melo play as a forward? Yes. Apparently he told Teitur that he wanted to play upfront. Toure looked fantastic and Haber looked better than I thought he would. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BearcatSA Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Some of these adjectives used here make it sound like the Caps just beat Barca instead of TWU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 quote:Originally posted by BearcatSA Some of these adjectives used here make it sound like the Caps just beat Barca instead of TWU. Surely you are not suggesting something untoward? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I too think 3-1 vs an amateur university side in the offseason is hardly thump. But hey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.