Impact v. Whitecaps FC - in the media

Vancouver Whitecaps FC (0W-0L-0D) look to start their Nutrilite Canadian Championship campaign off in positive fashion when they host USSF D-2 Pro League rivals Montreal Impact (0W-1L-0D) at Swangard Stadium tonight. Below is a closer look at recent media reports.
Full-Time, Vancouver's Soccer Show - @fulltimesoccer
Tyler Green (
@tylergreen1040
) and Mike Martignago (
@MikeMartignago
) are joined by The Province's Marc Weber (
@ProvinceWeber
) take a look back at the Whitecaps 2-1 loss in Portland, talk Nutrilite Canadian Championship and much more.
CLICK HERE
to hear the podcast.
The Province - Whitecaps' Steele to test Testo's mettle - @ProvinceWeber
When the Montreal Impact last visited Swangard Stadium, David Testo turned the middle third of the field into his personal playground.  He roamed free, kept possession with ease and passed unmolested.

He picked the Whitecaps apart in a 3-2 first-leg USL-1 final win.

It sparked a rare tactical shift from Caps' coach Teitur Thordarson, who is loath to veer from 4-4-2. Thordarson started the second leg in a 4-4-1-1 formation with Marcus Haber playing in behind Marlon James up front.
CLICK HERE
to read the article.
The Province - Title would make Nolly so jolly - @ProvinceWeber
Jay Nolly admits that reality doesn't jibe with his memory when it comes to the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

"In my head," said the Whitecaps' goalkeeper, "I feel like I've won a Nutrilite championship -- but I haven't."

In 2009, the Whitecaps went 3-1-0 in the tournament that determines Canadian bragging rights and serves as the qualifier for the CONCACAF Champions League.

But Toronto FC crushed Vancouver's spirit on the final day, embarrassing Montreal 6-1 to clip the Caps on goal differential.
CLICK HERE
to read the article.
The Province - Whitecaps midfielder Sanchez stays stuck on sideline - @ProvinceWeber
Ricardo Sanchez is used to being the go-to guy, but the Vancouver Whitecaps went to Portland without him.

The 27-year-old attacking midfielder played 80 USL-1 regular-season and playoff games with the defunct California Victory and Minnesota Thunder before signing a one-year deal with Vancouver in November.

He started 79 of those 80 matches and was named to the all-league team the last two seasons.
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to read the article.
The Province - Whitecaps nail their corners - @ProvinceWeber
It's more about the size of the hearts in the box than the size of the bodies, says Whitecaps captain Martin Nash, but both have helped. Through four games, the Whitecaps (2-1-1) have scored three of their four goals from corner kicks.

It's been a problem area for the club in recent years. In 2009 they generated 182 corners, but finished only four. And none of those were well-executed. There was one off Marco Reda's thigh, an own goal, and two second-wave chances that followed short clearances.
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to read the article.

Weber's blog: Back of the NetThe Vancouver Sun - Title loss still tough to swallow - @bconstantineau
It was almost a year ago but the 6-1 score line still drives Vancouver soccer fans crazy.

Toronto FC had to beat Montreal Impact by four goals to edge Vancouver on goal difference and capture the 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship.

Montreal Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos, with his team having no chance to win the tournament, fielded a weak side that included two reserve squad players and the resulting 6-1 slaughter sent Toronto through to CONCACAF Champions League play.
CLICK HERE
to read the article.

24 Hours - Caps seek revenge against Impact - @bobmackin THE BUZZ:
While the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens toil separately in the Stanley Cup playoffs, soccer’s Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact renew their bitter Nutrilite Canadian Championship series rivalry at Swangard Stadium Wednesday (7:30 p.m., Sportsnet West).
FOES:
The Impact dethroned the Whitecaps as United Soccer Leagues’ First Division champions last October, 6-3 in the two-game, total goals series. A Montreal squad populated mainly by secondstringers fell 6-1 to Toronto FC in June as the shocked Whitecaps watched their bid for the Nutrilite title disappear. Toronto needed an improbable four goal-win to enter the CONCACAF Champions League.
IMPACT:
The Caps are starting their Nutrilite quest while the 2008 champion Impact were 2-0 losers last Wednesday to Toronto.
NO SEBRANGOALS:
Advantage Vancouver because ex-Caps’ striker Eduardo Sebrango is suffering from a leg injury and fellow forward Roberto Brown was suspended two games because of a red card against Toronto.
DOS AND DAT:
“There’s a rivalry between the two clubs because of what happened last year,” Impact coach Nick Dos Santos admitted. “We’re not well loved by the crowd in Vancouver, but once the referee blows the whistle it’s a 90-minute match.”
NOLLY LOLLY:
“It’s a new tournament, it’s the first game at home,” said Caps’ goalkeeper Jay Nolly. “If you get your points at home and you pick up a couple on the road, you’ve got a really good chance of winning it.”
Slam Sports- Impact brace for grudge -
QMI It's been almost a year, but the 6-1 defeat the Impact suffered at the hands of Toronto FC is still fresh in the minds of Vancouver Whitecaps fans.

The Toronto team had to beat the Impact by four goals in the final game of the Canadian Championship to claim the title from Vancouver and move on to the CONCACAF Champions League.
CLICK HERE
to read the article.