While Vancouver Whitecaps FC continued their Major League Soccer regular season campaign this past weekend, centre back Michael Boxall and midfielder Nizar Khalfan were busy representing their countries.
Boxall made his second and third senior international appearances for his native New Zealand, as the All Whites played two friendly matches this past week. Last Wednesday, the University of California, Santa Barbara, product played the first half of New Zealand's 3-0 friendly defeat to Mexico in Denver, Colorado, before the defender put in a 90-minute performance in the All Whites' 3-0 loss away to arch-rivals Australia on Sunday.
In Africa, meanwhile, Khalfan and his native Tanzania suffered a setback in their hopes to qualify for the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, as the Taifa Stars fell 2-1 away to Central African Republic in Sunday's Group D qualifier. Defeat leaves the East African nation in third place in Group D - three points behind leaders Morocco. Tanzania face the North African giants of Algeria and Morocco to complete their group-stage campaign later in the year.
This Saturday night, Whitecaps FC play their first Cascadia Cup derby match as an MLS club, as they travel down Interstate 5 to take on Pacific Northwest rivals Seattle Sounders FC. Kickoff from Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington, is set for 7:30 p.m. PT and is live on TSN 2 and Bell mobile devices. 'Caps fans can also listen to the June 11 contest live on TEAM 1410 radio and teamradio.ca, starting with the pre-game show at 5:30 p.m. PT. TEAM 1410 will also have a two-hour post-game show, which will begin following the match at around 9:30 p.m. PT.
Whitecaps FC fans also have the option of purchasing two exciting new match packs. Starting at just $159, the match pack options - GOING HOLLYWOOD and LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR? - both include the Manchester City FC friendly match, valued at $60, and four coveted MLS matches. Aside from season tickets, which also include the Manchester City game, match packs are currently the only way to secure a ticket to the July 18 international friendly. For additional information on match packs, visit whitecapsfc.com/matchpacks.
