Whitecaps Pound Thunder

BURNABY, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC cruised to a 4-0 home win over Minnesota Thunder in USL First Division action on Thursday evening.

A first-half strike by Lyle Martin set the Blue and White on their way to a morale-boosting victory following an extended break from action. A second-half Martin Nash penalty doubled the Whitecaps advantage before late strikes by Charles Gbeke and Marcus Haber completed a four-goal rout of the USL-1′s bottom club at Swangard Stadium. It was Vancouver’s biggest victory in exactly four years. On July 9, 2005, the ‘Caps defeated Pacific Northwest rivals Portland Timbers 4-0 at Swangard.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made four changes to the side that started the 2-2 away draw with Cleveland City Stars on June 23. Defender Wesley Charles and striker Gbeke returned to action for the first time since their two-match suspension for their unsportsmanlike behaviour during Vancouver’s last home match versus Miami FC Blues on June 12. Charles partnered the fit-again Jeff Parke in the centre of the Whitecaps backline, while Gbeke partnered Haber in attack. Thordarson also gave winger Tyrell Burgess his first-ever start for the club on the left-hand side of midfield. Included on the substitutes bench were experienced defender Geordie Lyall, who returned after a lengthy injury lay-off, and youngster Philippe Davies.

Minnesota head coach Donny Gramenz, meanwhile, made two changes to the side that started last Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Portland Timbers. Former Canadian youth international Andres Arango replaced Jonathan Greenfield in defence, while Nathan Knox took the place of Lawrence Olum in the starting XI, with the Thunder playing in an attack-minded 4-3-3 formation.

Before kickoff, both Charles and Gbeke paraded around the Swangard pitch with a Whitecaps flag in a show of solidarity that earned the pair a standing ovation from the supporters.

A sold-out Swangard crowd of 5,568 saw the Whitecaps pose more of a threat during the opening half of play, which was played in beautiful summer conditions.

Burgess’ inclusion to the ‘Caps starting line-up look to be a wise move by Thordarson, with the Bermuda international firing a shot just wide of the Minnesota far post inside the first 30 seconds of the match. On three minutes, the winger found the target with a right-footed effort from Gordon Chin’s through ball, but Thunder goalkeeper Nicolas Platter was on hand to make the save.

The direct attacking style of the Whitecaps forced the Minnesota backline on their heels, and on seven minutes, the home side made the breakthrough with some excellent athleticism from Martin. The right-sided winger was able to get on the end of Nash’s forward ball, as he outpaced Thunder defender Chris Clements to win possession on the edge of the visitors’ box before drilling a right-footed shot past Platter for his first goal of the season and second goal in a Whitecaps uniform.

It was a bright and positive by the ‘Caps, who were looking to get back into the swing of things after an extensive break. Yet, credit to Minnesota, they remained a threat going forward, with crafty midfielder Rod Dyachenko rolling a shot wide of the Whitecaps goal on 14 minutes.

Chances were then traded at both ends, with Gbeke seeing his goal-bound strike well blocked away by Arango on 21 minutes following a dangerous Martin cross from the right. Three minutes later, Thunder striker Brian Cvilikas squandered a glorious chance to equalize for the visitors when he failed to connect with Melvin Tarley’s byline cutback in front of the ‘Caps goal.

Cvilikas was then guilty of missing a second major opportunity for Minnesota on 31 minutes. He beat the Vancouver offside trap in getting on the end of Clements’ forward ball before running in on goal. With Parke chasing back to close the forward down, Cvilikas was unable to test Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly with his strike, as his effort flew high and wide from close range.

Though the Thunder had chances, the Whitecaps posed more problems to Minnesota during the opening 45 minutes, with Vancouver having the last opportunity of the half in the one minute of time added on. Nash’s corner from the right found Gbeke at the far post. The striker’s header looked destined for the back of the net, but Thunder captain Jeremiah Bass was on hand to make a fine goalline clearance for the visitors.

It meant the Whitecaps took a one-goal lead into halftime.

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