Whitecaps Head To Puerto Rico

WHITECAPS READY FOR REMATCH OF THE 2008 USL-1 FINAL
VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC begin a two-match road trip by heading to the Caribbean for a meeting with Puerto Rico Islanders on Saturday evening.

It has been a little over six months since the Whitecaps and Islanders contested the first USL First Division Championship Final to involve two clubs based outside of the United States in league history. Though the ‘Tropa Naranja’ (Orange Troop) won the Commissioner’s Cup as USL-1 regular season champions, as well as several end-of-season individual awards, the Blue and White took advantage of a passionate Swangard Stadium crowd to defeat Puerto Rico 2-1 on October 12, 2008. Charles Gbeke was Vancouver’s hero with two crucial goals in the second half.

It was also the Whitecaps only win of the season against Colin Clarke’s side, with the Islanders edging their three regular season meetings with Vancouver in 2008. On August 17, a disallowed Omar Jarun goal and the sending off of Eduardo Sebrango left Whitecaps fans frustrated following a goalless draw at Swangard. On August 31, Takashi Hirano’s first-ever Whitecaps goal earned Teitur Thordarson’s side a 1-1 result in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Vancouver’s undefeated league streak versus the Islanders came to an end on September 5, as Noah Delgado’s late goal gave Puerto Rico a 1-0 victory. Though their unbeaten streak was broken by that defeat, the championship final win was the Whitecaps first over the Caribbean outfit since a 3-1 away success on August 4, 2006.

Saturday’s match will be the 11th time that both clubs do battle on the pitch. In their 10 previous meetings, the Whitecaps lead the all-time series of results with five wins, one defeat, and four draws. At the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, Vancouver have registered two wins, one defeat, and two draws versus the Islanders.

Game Preview