Match Report:

By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

In their second match of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship on Wednesday evening, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-2D) had to settle for a disappointing goalless draw with Major League Soccer (MLS) club Toronto FC (2W-0L-1D) at Swangard Stadium.

Seeking their first win in this year's competition, Teitur Thordarson's side worked hard to try and find a way past the Voyageurs Cup holders. Yet, as it has been in the past two home matches, the Blue and White were unable to find the decisive breakthrough, despite creating several decent goalscoring opportunities. It is the first time in the 36 years of the Whitecaps that the club have registered three consecutive 0-0 draws. Wednesday's result also extends Vancouver's unbeaten home record versus TFC to three matches (1W-0L-2D).

The result keeps Vancouver's hopes of winning the Canadian Championship alive, though the 'Caps must now claim victories in their final two tournament matches away to Montreal Impact on May 26 and Toronto FC on June 2. The winner of the 2010 Nutrilite Canadian Championship will move on to face Club Deportivo Motagua of Honduras in the Preliminary Round of the 2010-11 CONCACAF Champions League.

While the Whitecaps were unchanged from the starting XI that faced the Impact in USSF D-2 Pro League action on Saturday, TFC made a notable switch in their line-up, as former New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Jon Conway replaced Stefan Frei in the visitors goal. There was also a first appearance at Swangard for former Whitecaps defender Adrian Cann, as he partnered Nana Attakora at centre back.

Though wind warnings and a heavy late afternoon rain shower may have dampened things in Burnaby, BC, a Swangard crowd of 4,928 saw a solid first-half display from the 'Caps, who showed more urgency to try and break the deadlock.

Vancouver's intent to show they were far from out of this competition came as early as the seventh minute. However, stand-in captain Nelson Akwari was unable to properly connect with Ricardo Sanchez's inswinging corner at the far post. On 14 minutes, Marcus Haber neatly slipped a forward ball to central midfielder Luca Bellisomo, who then drilled a low shot just wide of goal. Then on 19 minutes, the hard-working Sanchez caused panic in the TFC box with a dangerous free kick from the left that was eventually cleared.

In a position to win the tournament with a victory in Vancouver, TFC struggled to penetrate through the Whitecaps backline, with midfielder Nick LaBrocca and captain Dwayne De Rosario striking half chances wide of Jay Nolly's goal.

Fittingly, the last chance of an intriguing opening half fell to the 'Caps on 42 minutes. The industrious Cornelius Stewart did well on the left flank before driving a cross that eluded the head of strike partner Haber at the far post.

It meant that both clubs went to the halftime break tied at 0-0.

With the Whitecaps attacking their favoured south goal in the second half, Thordarson's side picked up where they left off at the break, as they showed a continued desire to find the back of the net. In contrast, TFC seemed content with the goalless scoreline after the restart, despite playing the dangerous duo of De Rosario and second-half substitute Chad Barrett in attack.

On 51 minutes, TFC goalkeeper Conway had to collect Haber's dangerous byline cross from the streaking Justin Moose, as the winger just missed making a connection with his head. Moments later, Sanchez drilled a left-footed shot just wide of Toronto's goal. Then on 58 minutes, former Puerto Rico Islanders midfielder Dan Gargan did well to clear Sanchez's well-struck free kick for a corner, as Bellisomo looked set to redirect the ball on target in the TFC box.

Looking to turn the tide of the contest their way, Thordarson used his three substitutions, with Takashi Hirano, Martin Nash, and Randy Edwini-Bonsu all entering the action. Though all three subs brought fresh impetus to the Whitecaps attacking play, the decisive goal remained as elusive as ever. On 67 minutes, Haber chipped a shot right across the face of the TFC goal before Stewart made an incisive run that resulted in a shot that also failed to test Conway moments later.

As the match entered the final stages, TFC then gave the home fans a scare. On 79 minutes, Gambian midfielder Amadou Sanyang powered a half-volleyed strike just over the Whitecaps crossbar, while three minutes later, De Rosario had a point-blank effort blocked away by the assured hands of Nolly.

Yet, most of the action in those dying stages took place at the other end, but as the 'Caps kept knocking on the door of the TFC goal, Vancouver were still unable to walk their way through that door and register a priceless goal. Substitute Hirano had the best of those late opportunities, but the Japanese defender's header from Stewart's cross was well saved by Conway at the far post.

Even four minutes of time added on could not change the ultimate course of proceedings, as TFC looked more satisfied with the resulting stalemate at the final whistle. For Vancouver, only victories will do at this late stage of this year's Canadian Championship.


Thordarson believed a win was there for the taking on Wednesday night. "I felt we played extremely well in all departments and controlled the game. The only thing that was missing for me was a goal," Thordarson said. "I feel it is just a matter of time before we start scoring goals, but I would have really liked to have had a goal tonight because it was such an important game. However, I know that the team is coming so well together now. To create chances against a team that is doing well in MLS means we will certainly be able to create chances against teams in our league."

De Rosario, meanwhile, admitted the visitors were not at their best at Swangard. "As the game progressed, the guys were definitely a little leggy and mentally fatigued," said the TFC skipper. "We knew it was going to be a tough game and we knew that Vancouver would be up for the game. We tried to match their intensity, and thankfully, we were able to come away with a point. If we don't clinch it when Vancouver goes to Montreal, then hopefully we get them (Vancouver) at home."

The Whitecaps will complete their five-match home stand on Saturday night when they host former head coach Bob Lilley and his Rochester Rhinos side at Swangard. Toronto FC, meanwhile, are back in MLS action on Saturday afternoon, as they host New England Revolution at their BMO Field home.

Scoring Summary:
none

Match Stats:
Shots: Toronto 6 - Vancouver 10
Saves: Toronto 3 - Vancouver 2
Fouls: Toronto 14 - Vancouver 10
Corners: Toronto 1 - Vancouver 10
Offsides: Toronto 3 - Vancouver 3

Cautions:
21' - VAN - Marcus Haber
21' - TOR - Dwayne De Rosario
70' - TOR - Raivis Hscanovics
90' - VAN - Wes Knight

Toronto FC
1.Jon Conway; 34.Raivis Hscanovics, 3.Nana Attakora (4.Nick Garcia 45'), 12.Adrian Cann, 33.Maksim Usanov; 27.Gabriel Gala (25.Martin Saric 62'), 21.Nick LaBrocca, 22.Amadou Sanyang, 8.Dan Gargan; 14.Dwayne De Rosario, 17.O'Brian White (19.Chad Barrett 53')

Subs not used: 2.Sam Cronin, 7.Fuad Ibrahim, 23.Jacob Peterson, 24.Stefan Frei

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Jay Nolly; 77.Zurab Tsiskaridze, 2.Nelson Akwari, 14.Greg Janicki, 8.Wes Knight; 16.Ansu Toure (22.Takashi Hirano 64), 99.Ricardo Sanchez (7.Martin Nash 66'), 3.Luca Bellisomo, 19.Justin Moose (17.Randy Edwini-Bonsu 78'); 24.Marcus Haber, 39.Cornelius Stewart

Subs not used: 31.Simon Thomas, 4.Chris Williams, 9.Marlon James, 15.Philippe Davies