USL Previews: Whitecaps Host Rhinos, Impact At Thunder

WHITECAPS HOST ROCHESTER THIS SATURDAY
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC (1-1-0) look to bounce back from their first defeat of the 2008 season when they host Rochester Rhinos (0-2-0) at Swangard Stadium on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. (TV: none – Radio: TEAM 1040 AM/team1040.ca – Wedcast: USLlive.com).

After opening their USL First Division campaign with a home win over Montreal Impact on April 12, Teitur Thordarson’s side endured a frustrating night at Swangard on April 26, as Minnesota Thunder withstood numerous Whitecaps scoring opportunities to defeat their hosts 1-0 – thanks to a second-half penalty from Ricardo Sanchez. The Whitecaps will hope a further two weeks’ preparation will see the side take two victories from a season-opening three-game home stand and begin a very busy month of May in positive fashion.

Saturday’s game will be the 13th meeting between Vancouver and Rochester, with the Whitecaps currently leading the overall series with a record of six wins, four defeats, and two draws. The Whitecaps record at home to the Rhinos is even more impressive, as they have registered four wins, one defeat, and one draw in six meetings on the Lower Mainland. In fact, the Upstate New York club have not won at Swangard since 1996.

Last season, the Whitecaps met the Rhinos home and away during the month of May. Vancouver claimed a 1-1 draw at Rochester on May 4. On May 20, the Whitecaps had one of its best performances of 2007 when it defeated the Rhinos 3-1 at Swangard.

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THE IMPACT FACES THE THUNDER IN MINNESOTA SATURDAY
MINNESOTA – The Montreal Impact (2-2-0) is playing its fifth game of the season, Saturday, against the Minnesota Thunder (2-1-0), at James Griffin Stadium (8:05 pm, USLlive.com).

Notes
-Impact forward Roberto Brown received a three-game suspension following his ejection during last game.
-Impact rookie defender Alex Surprenant is currently taking part in Under 20 Canadian national team’s training camp, in preparation for an exhibition game against Argentina U20 team.
-Four Thunder players have played for the Impact last season.

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