Whitecaps FC Women 2005 [R]

Discussion in 'US Women's Lower Divisions' started by WhitecapsFCFan, May 15, 2005.

  1. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Whitecaps women continue winning

    Vancouver Sun
    June 27, 2005

    FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- The loss of seven players to Canada's senior national team had little effect Sunday on the Vancouver Whitecaps, who trounced the Fort Collins Force 3-0 in a W-League women's soccer game at Force Field.

    The Whitecaps jumped to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes on goals by midfielders Ashley McGhee and Sara Maglio. A breakaway goal by striker Amber Allen in the 47th minute iced the game for the Whitecaps, who improved their Western Conference-leading record to 8-1-0.

    The Whitecaps played without striker Katie Thorlakson, midfielders Andrea Neil and Brittany Timko, midfielder/defender Kara Lang and defenders Randee Hermus, Sasha Andrews and Sophie Schmidt, all of whom were called up to the national team for its friendly match against the U.S. national team Sunday at Virginia Beach, Va.

    McGhee's goal was her third in as many games and fourth of the season. It was the first goal of the year by Maglio and Allen stroked home her team-leading sixth tally of the campaign.

    The shutout was shared by goalkeepers Sian Bagshawe and Stephanie Weston.

    Bagshawe started the game and Weston played the last 20 minutes.

    It was the sixth consecutive victory by the Whitecaps, who conclude their four-game road trip Saturday against the Seattle Sounders.

    © The Vancouver Sun 2005
     
  2. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Looks like the Caps women have the next three games against the team that gave them their only loss of the season, Seattle. If they can get two out of three in this stand, they'll be fine heading into the postseason. If they get all three of these games, look out-they are ready to defend their W-League title! :D
     
  3. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Yes, this will be a tough stretch for the Whitecaps. We'll see if there up for it!

    I'm still hoping the Western Conference can add some more franchises so that we can have a little more variety in the scheduling. That being said, with the small crowds being reported, maybe it's a case of what we have hanging in there...
     
  4. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Whitecaps - Seattle July 2

    Whitecaps FC 2-0 over Seattle Sounders. A win in the rematch tonight puts the Caps in the playoffs. Lang and Allen scored with Allen's goal making her the all time scoring leader for the team.

    Game report here:
    http://www.whitecapsfc.com/matchnight/July2/womenresult.htm
     
  5. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Season series ties at 1 game apiece. Looks good so far. Come on ladies, let's return to the playoffs this year!
     
  6. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Let's make that 2-1 on the season for the Caps.

    Thanks to tonight's match. Whitecaps FC 4-0 over Seattle Sounders. Amber Allen with a hattrick (including a PK) and Kara Lang with a long-bomb-2-goalpost effort. The announced crowd was 2600 and change.

    To me, Seattle looked outmatched tonight..not sure if they were missing players?
     
  7. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great work ladies...

    article

    At the very worst, we will split the season series with them. I think we should be able to take 3 out of 4 from the Sounders after the match at the Apple Bowl, though.

    Next step is to clinch first place in the West. The games against Fort Collins and San Diego should be easy, barring unexpected collapse.
     
  8. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    'Caps clinch playoff berth
    Vancouver led by Allen's hat trick, goalie Bagshawa's seventh shut out

    Dan Stinson
    Vancouver Sun

    Monday, July 04, 2005


    It's pad-the-stats and maintain-the-momentum time now for the Vancouver Whitecaps over the balance of the W-League women's soccer regular season.

    After eliminating the Seattle Sounders from Western Conference playoff contention on Saturday, the Whitecaps clinched a conference playoff berth in decisive fashion Sunday night by defeating the Washington state visitors 4-0 at Swangard Stadium.

    Sure-footed striker Amber Allen notched a hat trick Sunday and finished the weekend with four goals after scoring the insurance tally in the Whitecaps' 2-0 road victory over the Sounders on Saturday.

    "We're playing our best soccer of the season now and it's all about keeping it going," said Allen, who led the Whitecaps to their eighth-consecutive victory.

    "We want to be sharp going into the playoffs and still have plenty to play for. It's all about staying focused and keeping the momentum going."

    Allen opened scoring in the 25th minute Sunday on a breakaway run set up by midfielder Brittany Timko's through pass. She notched her second goal in the 60th minute on a set up by midfielder Kara Lang, then converted a penalty kick in the 88th as the Whitecaps put on an entertaining performance before 2,660 fans.

    Allen has scored 33 career goals in 47 games in a Vancouver jersey. Combined with eight assists, she is the all-time franchise scoring leader with 74 points.

    Lang put the Whitecaps up 2-0 in the 38th minute with one of the strangest goals ever seen at the Burnaby facility. She struck a rising ball from about 50 yards out on the right flank that sailed over the head of Sounders' goalkeeper Katie Hultin, struck the far right post, then bounced off the left post and over the goal line.

    It was Lang's fourth goal of the season.

    "It was a shot, not a cross," said a smiling Lang.

    "I saw the 'keeper off her line and meant to play the ball in behind her, right on the back post. But it went off the back post and eventually over the line. I was as surprised as anyone."

    On Saturday, Lang and Allen scored the goals in the Whitecaps' victory over the Sounders at the Starfire Sports Complex in suburban Tukwila, Wash. Lang opened the scoring in the 29th minute, converting a pass from striker Katie Thorlakson, and Allen notched the second goal in the 78th minute.

    The weekend wins improved the Whitecaps' conference-leading record to 10-1-0. They have three regular-season home games remaining, the first of which is Saturday against the Sounders at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna.

    Seattle dropped to 3-7-1 and remained fifth in the conference -- a long tumble for a team that played the Whitecaps in conference playoff games in each of the last two seasons.

    GOAL DUST: Thorlakson and midfelder Amy Apps were injury scratches Sunday ... Three Whitecaps have been named to the latest W-League team of the week for their contributions in the team's sweep of a recent three-game Colorado road trip: goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe, who conceded only one goal, midfielder Ashley McGhee, who scored the first goal in all three games, and defender Randee Hermus ... Goaltender Bagshawe recorded her seventh shutout of the season on Sunday.

    dstinson@png.canwest.com

    © The Vancouver Sun 2005
     
  9. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    The Seattle Sounders were a surly bunch last night. Can't blame them with their disappoint won-lost record. There was almost a fight near the end of the game after Seattle's Kelli Smith got ejected. There was much pushing but cooler heads prevailed. Amazingly, Katie Thorlakson wasn't even in the game. I'm just kidding, Katie. No, Katie was doing amusing ball tricks and leading the halftime sing-along. The two teams have probably developed a healthy dislike for one another after playing two games in two nights. Like playoff hockey. Should be interesting when they play again in Kelowna.

    As for soccer, the Whitecaps have adjusted to Coach Rohla's style. They seem to be moving the ball around with more confidence now. Most of the missed passes had constructive ideas behind them. Even the long balls were getting to feet. Kara Lang was impressive. She's settled into that right midfield position and is improving from game to game. It must help her getting to play the same position with the same teammates most of the summer. Her passes are simple and effective. She's winning almost all her 1-on-1 defensive challenges. She's getting forward dangerously. Her work rate and effort are exemplary. I wonder why Pellerud insists on using her as a defender?
     
  10. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Was it Smith that Kara gave the forearm to the back of the head as they went back down the park? The yellow/scuffle happened just after that.

    I thought that Sophie was effective at putting balls forward with a purpose (to feet) as you suggested. I can live with that rather than the "50/50 at best" balls that we see too much of on the National Team.

    It would have been nice to have used a few more of the subs as well. Of course, I'm not sure what the injury status, etc was.

    It was an entertaining night.
     
  11. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Amber Allen has vaulted into a tie for 2nd place in W-League goalscoring with 10. She trails leader Julie Williford of Arizona Heatwave by 1 goal.

    She also sits in 5th place in total points, trailing leader Rhian Wilkinson of the Ottawa Fury by 4 points.

    Stats here: http://wleague.uslsoccer.com/stats/index_E.html
     
  12. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    Because Canada's defense is brutal and he's hoping she'll help. Canada gave up 3 goals against Germany (twice), 3 against Sweden, Norway and Denmark - oh and 2 against the Netherlands and the USA. What would you do?

    p.s. If you're going to say make-up with Nonen, I agree 100%. :)
     
  13. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    This is speculation about Nonen isn't it?
     
  14. CAFAN

    CAFAN Member

    May 30, 2003
    Yes and no. Some pretty reliable sources have confirmed my suspicion that all is definitely not well. It wasn't that hard to figure out though. Nonen's last game for Canada was against Mexico - since then - nada. It's not that she hasn't been fit since then, just that Pellerud hasn't seen fit to call her into camps or friendlies. Prior to the loss to Mexico, Nonen was a fixture on the back line and after the loss not even a sub - not even a camp participant.

    So what happened? I'll make an educated guess that Pellerud expected her to show leadership on the back line but ABOVE ALL ELSE, KEEP A LID ON DOMINGUEZ - the one player on the Mexican side who could spoil Canada's chance to go to the Olympics. So Dominguez scores twice, Canada blows an Olympic berth and Nonen and Pellerud have some harsh words. Nonen asks Pellerud if he appreciated how dangerous Dominguez was, why the heck did he put her on a back line with one slow defender (Hermus) and two rookies - and what was he doing playing Hooper as a forward?

    Tough situation for both of them, BUT Nonen isn't going to play for any other international team and the CWNT is averaging close to 3ga per game without her.

    Pellerud has made his point, he's the boss. Now it's time for him to get Nonen back on the field.
     
  15. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    Here's a video clip of Kara's goal from the July 3 game. I wonder where they got the video from, the Whitecaps' weekly TV show?
     
  16. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Brilliant! Now they can flex their muscles and get ready for the playoffs. WE WANT THE WILDCATS! WE WANT THE WILDCATS!
     
  17. Hachiko

    Hachiko The Akita on Big Soccer

    Jun 8, 2005
    Long Beach, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Brilliant! Now they can flex their muscles and get ready for the playoffs. WE WANT THE WILDCATS! WE WANT THE WILDCATS!
     
  18. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    Whitecaps won 4-0 July 9, their third straight against Seattle Sounders. Game report here. This clinches first place in the Western Division.
     
  19. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    I've been out of town for a few days. That's great news!
     
  20. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Women secure first place, home field for playoffs

    Vancouver Sun

    Monday, July 11, 2005

    The hard-charging Vancouver Whitecaps women's soccer team will play a W-League Western Conference playoff game at home for the fifth straight year.

    Unleashing a 39-shot attack, the Whitecaps trounced the Seattle Sounders 4-0 Saturday at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, clinching first place in the conference and home-field playoff advantage.

    The win improved the defending champion Whitecaps' record to a conference-best 11-1-0 and 33 points -- five more points than the second-place Arizona Heatwave (9-3-1).

    In the seventh minute, striker Amber Allen opened the scoring against the overwhelmed Sounders with her team-leading 10th goal on an assist from fellow front-runner Katie Thorlakson.

    Thorlakson scored her fifth goal in the 55th minute. That tally was followed by goals from defender Martina Franko in the 72nd and substitute forward Jodi-Anne Robinson in the 88th.

    Franko finished the game with one goal and two assists.

    "Our passing game didn't get into gear until the second half, when we really took the game to Seattle. It was an impressive second half and should have resulted in a few more goals," Allen said.

    It was the Whitecaps' third straight victory over the Sounders, who were without injured goalkeeper Lisa Brookens. Brookens was replaced by Janelle Munnis, normally a striker, because the Sounders travelled to Kelowna with no substitutes.

    Sian Bagshawe shared the shutout with Stephanie Weston, who entered in the 80th minute.

    The Whitecaps will host a one-game playoff against the conference's second place team on July 30 or July 31 at Swangard Stadium. The opponent is to be determined.

    © The Vancouver Sun 2005
     
  21. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    The Force is with 'Caps

    They take some time to get rolling, but B.C. players score at will in second half to defeat Fort Collins

    Dan Stinson
    Vancouver Sun

    Monday, July 18, 2005


    It seems clear that the Vancouver Whitecaps have to play their best players to be successful over the balance of the W-League women's soccer season -- even against a weak opponent like the Fort Collins Force.

    The Force came into Sunday afternoon's game at Swangard Stadium with the second-worst record in the Western Conference, but did not yield a goal until Whitecaps striker Katie Thorlakson and midfielder Kara Lang came off the bench at the start of the second half.

    Then the floodgates opened. The Whitecaps scored three goals in seven minutes as Lang set up Randee Hermus in the 47th, Thorlakson tapped home in the 52nd and Martina Franko converted a penalty kick in the 53rd.

    Franko finished the game with a hat trick and Hermus added another second-half goal as the Whitecaps rolled over the Colorado visitors 6-0 before 2,630 fans.

    The Whitecaps, who clinched first place in the Western Conference more than a week ago, improved to 12-1-0 while the Force dropped to 2-8-1.

    "It seems unusual this late in the season, but we're still trying to establish a starting 11," said Whitecaps head coach Pat Rohla. "There are some players who want to be in the starting 11 and others who are satisfied to be in the squad of 18. So my job from here on is to establish a starting 11 for the playoffs."

    Rohla will have ample opportunity to make up his mind. The Whitecaps play three games before they take on the Arizona Heatwave in a one-game conference playoff final on July 30 at the Burnaby facility. The winner advances to the league's final-four championship tournament, scheduled for Aug. 5-7 at Princeton, N.J.

    Thorlakson and Lang have been regular starters most of this season, but were bench sitters in the first half Sunday. Their absence was evident as the Whitecaps struggled to generate consistent scoring chances, mustering only a shot off the crossbar by Hermus in the fifth minute.

    "It made a huge difference when Kara and Katie came in," said Hermus, who was moved from centre back to midfield 25 minutes in as Rohla juggled his alignment. "They're big impact players and showed why today. Our game changed almost immediately after they came in."

    Next up for the Whitecaps are two exhibition games against the Washington Freedom, who were the 2003 Women's United Soccer Association champions. The Whitecaps play the Freedom on Tuesday at Caledonia Park in Nanaimo (6:30 p.m. kickoff) and Thursday at Swangard (7 p.m.).

    The Whitecaps then conclude their 14-game regular season next Sunday with a home match against the San Diego Gauchos. The Whitecaps trounced the Gauchos 11-0 in the first game between the teams this season June 5 in San Diego, establishing a club record for most goals in one game.

    GOAL DUST: Veteran Whitecaps midfielder Andrea Neil became the franchise minutes-played leader Sunday when she finished the game with 5,049 career minutes. Neil surpassed defender Liz Conner, who compiled 4,961 minutes. Conner is sitting out this season with an injury ... Franko, who alternates between fullback and striker, was named to the latest W-League team of the week after scoring a goal and recording two assists in the Whitecaps' 4-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders on July 9 at the Kelowna Apple Bowl. The Whitecaps clinched first place in the conference and home-field playoff advantage with the victory.

    danstinson@shaw.ca

    NEXT GAME

    WOMEN

    Sunday vs San Diego 4 p.m. at Swangard Stadium
     
  22. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Whitecaps, Freedom go scoreless
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Vancouver Whitecaps News Release - www.whitecapsfc.com

    Tuesday, July 19, 2005

    VANCOUVER, BC -- The burgeoning community of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island was witness to a Clash of the Titans in women's soccer, as the W-League champion Whitecaps took on the Washington Freedom. The game lived up to its billing with two top-quality sides going toe to toe in a game that finished a scoreless draw.

    It was a fast-paced game, with few stoppages, but it was the defences on both sides that dominated proceedings. Randee Hermus and Sasha Andrews were pillars of strength for the Whitecaps, while the Washington defence, led by US National Team legend Tiffany Roberts, was equal to almost everything the Whitecaps could throw at them.

    Both goalkeepers had strong games, as Vancouver's Sian Bagshawe, and the Freedom's Nicci Wright earned the shutouts.Bagshawe made a couple of big saves to keep the visitors off the scoreboard, while few Vancouver balls into the box escaped the grasp of Wright, the former Canadian international from Duncan, BC. She was named Washington's player of the game.

    Vancouver's player of the game was 17-year-old Sophie Schmidt, who got a rare start in midfield, and did superbly. Schmidt hit the post in the second half in the game's best scoring chance.

    These two teams meet again on Thursday, in the big rematch at Swangard Stadium. Kick off for this historic contest is 7:00 pm. The Whitecaps then play their final game of the regular season on Sunday, July 24 at home to the San Diego Gauchos, in a 4:00pm start, in the first half of a Swangard doubleheader. The Men then host the Minnesota Thunder at 7:00pm.

    Scoring Summary:
    None

    Game Notes:

    The two teams spent much of the first half feeling each other out, probing for weaknesses, and finding none. Vancouver applied the majority of the pressure, but the visitor's defence held firm. Washington's quick and fluid passing game, meanwhile, was most impressive, but could get nowhere against Vancouver's back four, who repeatedly stepped in to breakup the play.

    The game opened up in the second half, and it looked like Vancouver had scored at 58' as Sophie Schmidt found space with a strong run up the middle, and neatly chipped the onrushing goalkeeper, but the ball came back off the post. Soon after, at 66', the visitors had their best chance, as some nice passing finally got the better of the Caps defence, with substitute Lisa Zanti breaking in alone on Sian Bagshawe. The keeper was quick off her line though and sprawled to block the shot.

    Vancouver pressed as the half wore on. At 87', an Andrea Neil corner from the right found Randee Hermus at the far post, but she sent her header just wide. Back the other way, and it was Lisa Zanti again who had the final chance as she broke in on the right, but her hard shot was right at Sian Bagshawe, who held it well.

    This was only the second time in Whitecaps history that the team has been shut out. The only other team to do it was the New Jersey Wildcats in last year's W-League Final, a 0-0, with Vancouver then winning on penalty kicks.

    In another exhibition game, Washington recently tied New Jersey 1-1, which means Vancouver and Washington share the distinction of being the only two club teams in the last two years to get a result against the Wildcats, who have otherwise won every game.
     
  23. bythesea

    bythesea Member

    May 27, 2005
    There's a video clip of the highlights of the first Washington game from local sports coverage. I don't know how long this will be available so sneak a peek now.

    I had to be impressed and surprised by this result. Whitecaps used four players who haven't even played their first game of college soccer yet. It shows that coach Rohla's focus on defense is paying off. I don't think the team has conceded a goal at "home" this season.

    It was also great to see the response from Nanaimo. 2000+ fans shows that somebody is doing a good job of publicizing the event. It makes you wonder if a W-League team couldn't survive on the Lower Island.
     
  24. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    I've been wondering about this as well. Given the attendance across the League, they would seem to stand as good a chance as anyone. The travel costs are the issue I imagine. It would be nice if Portland could get it together as well.
     
  25. WhitecapsFCFan

    WhitecapsFCFan New Member

    Jun 30, 2003
    The Shore
    Ex-Whitecap goalie returns to Swangard
    Nicci Wright backstops Washington Freedom

    Dan Stinson
    Vancouver Sun

    Thursday, July 21, 2005

    Nicci Wright is nothing if not an optimist. She has travelled extensively in an effort to make a living in soccer and is remarkably upbeat that the professional game will resurface in the United States.

    It's been quite a journey for Wright. The first goalkeeper signed by the Vancouver Breakers for their inaugural 2001 W-League season, her travels have taken her to Sweden, Washington, D.C., and many other parts of the world with Canada's senior national team during an international career in which she earned 38 caps and posted 11 shutouts.

    Wright returns to Swangard Stadium tonight with the Washington Freedom, the only surviving team from the Women's United Soccer Association, for an exhibition game against the Whitecaps.

    WUSA suspended operations after only three seasons in 2003, when Wright backstopped the Freedom to the league championship.

    "I do believe that pro soccer in the United States will come back, but when and in what form remains to be seen," says the 32-year-old Wright, who was born in Quesnel and raised in Duncan. "There's definitely some positive vibes out there and it's a matter of finding financing and the right markets for the league to come back. The owners have one more chance to get it right, so they're taking their time. You can't really put a timeline on it."

    The owners thought they had it right in WUSA's first season in 2001. The league was formed on the rising tide of the game's popularity following the U.S. national team's Women's World Cup victory in 1999. WUSA's original eight teams featured several stars from the World Cup-winning side, including forwards Mia Hamm and midfielders Abby Wambach, Brandi Chastain and Tiffany Roberts.

    Wright signed with the Freedom after playing for Swedish First Division club Alvik in 2002.

    "It was a great move for me at the time," Wright says. "Our average crowds at [Washington's] RFK Stadium were about 8,000 and we led the league in attendance. The U.S. winning the World Cup definitely had a big impact on the Freedom's success, both on and off the field. Unfortunately, the crowds were not as big in most of the other markets and the league was finding it a hard go financially."

    Wright is one of six players still with the Freedom from their championship season.

    The Freedom and Whitecaps played to a 0-0 tie on Tuesday before a capacity crowd of 2,176 at Nanaimo's Caledonia Park.

    danstinson@shaw.ca

    © The Vancouver Sun 2005
     

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