Match Report:

By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com

Big wins on difficult road trips with patchwork line-ups has become a hallmark of the Vancouver Whitecaps women in recent years, and that tradition continued Wednesday night in Azusa, California, as the 'Caps downed the expansion Los Angeles Legends 2-1 in W-League Western Conference action.

Canadian international striker Amy Vermeulen, making her Whitecaps debut, scored two goals in the first 17 minutes. Los Angeles pulled a goal back late to make it a tense finish, but the Whitecaps held on to remain undefeated on the year and spoil the Legends' first-ever home opener as a W-League club.

Any Vancouver fans in attendance at Azusa Pacific University's Cougar Athletic Stadium would have needed a program for this match, as six players made their Whitecaps debut. This was also the first game in charge for assistant coach Marc Rizzardo, with Bob Birarda away coaching the Canadian U-20 women's national team.

One familiar face was goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe, as the veteran made her first appearance this season since rejoining the squad last week. Newcomers Rachael Pelat and Chelsea Stang lined up on defence alongside Eden Hingwing and German fullback Katrin Schmidt. This was Hingwing's first game for the Whitecaps since 2006, while Schmidt was making only her second W-League appearance. UBC standout Caitlin Davie in midfield was another rookie newcomer, while Saskatoon native Amy Vermeulen - a long-time member of the Ottawa Fury - was a welcome addition to the Whitecaps front line.

Vancouver fans had got a taste of Vermeulen's powerful shooting ability in the 2006 W-League Championships when the Whitecaps hosted and defeated Ottawa in the final. In Los Angeles on Wednesday, the 24-year-old wasted little time demonstrating those same talents, as just four minutes in, she picked up the ball on the left and fired a rocket of a shot past Legends goalkeeper Brittany Massro from 25 yards out.

On 18 minutes, Vermeulen doubled Vancouver's lead. The ball was played over the top to Sanna Talonen on the left, and she centred for Vermeulen, who took it past a Legends defender and then stroked it past Massro for 2-0.

The triple-threat forward line of Vermeulen, Tiffeny Milbrett, and Finnish international Talonen caused all sorts of problems for Los Angeles, as Vancouver out-shot their hosts 8-0 in the first half. The Canadian visitors could have easily been up by three or four goals, were it not for some errant finishing.

It remained 2-0 at halftime.

Early in the second half, Vancouver came close again, as Vermeulen set up Milbrett right in front, but the veteran fired over the crossbar from close range. Milbrett, who led the Whitecaps in scoring last season, is still looking for her first goal of 2008.

With the Los Angeles heat taking its toll on his players in the second half, coach Rizzardo put on some fresh legs, with midfielder Anoop Josan and forward Mallory Outerbridge both coming on to make their Whitecaps debut.

With Los Angeles coming more into the game, the home side got onto the board in minute 77. It was two Legends substitutes that combined, as a long shot from Sarah Yoro was touched onto the crossbar by Bagshawe. The rebound fell for Lauren Brown to score in what was her debut match as well.

Though there were some nervous moments near the end, the young Whitecaps defence held firm, as Vancouver chalked up three valuable points.


"It was a little tighter than it should have been," said Rizzardo, alluding to the missed chances by the Whitecaps, "but I though the players did extremely well, considering that for most of them, it was the first time they had played together. They are good athletes and good players and are able to mesh well together."

"Now we are just building to the next game," he added.

That next game comes this Friday night, as the 4-0-2 Whitecaps visit the 1-3-1 Ventura County Fusion.

The Whitecaps now trail the 5-0-0 Pali Blues by just a single point, setting up a Western Conference table-topping clash between the two clubs on Sunday followed by a rematch a week later at Swangard Stadium.

Los Angeles, meanwhile, drop to 0-6-1 and remain last in the Western Conference.

Scoring Summaries:
4' - 1-0 - Amy Vermeulen
Majing her Whitecaps debut, Vermeulen picked up the ball on the left and fired a rocket of a shot past Legends goalkeeper Brittany Massro from 25 yards out.

18' - 2-0 - Amy Vermeulen
Whitecaps striker Sanna Talonen took a ball on the left centering for Vermeulen. She who took the ball past a Legends defender and then stroked it past Massro for her second goal of the game.

77' - 2-1 – Lauren Brown (Sarah Yoro)
Yoro's long shot was touched onto the crossbar by Whitecaps goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe. The rebound fell for Brown to score in what was her debut match for Los Angeles Legends.

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 17 – Los Angeles 10
Saves: Vancouver 2 – Los Angeles 8
Fouls: Vancouver 6 – Los Angeles 12
Offsides: Vancouver 2 – Los Angeles 0
Corners: Vancouver 4 – Los Angeles 0

Cautions:
Vancouver: none
Los Angeles: Casey Schostag 37'

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
27.Sian Bagshawe; 6.Rachael Pelat, 10.Katrin Schmidt, 17.Eden Hingwing, 18.Chelsea Stang; 7.Rosalyn Hicks (19.Anoop Josan 62'), 11.Selenia Iacchelli, 15.Caitlin Davie; 4.Amy Vermeulen, 14.Sanna Talonen (12.Mallory Outerbridge 72'), 25.Tiffeny Milbrett

Subs not used: 00.Kasia Gwaizda, 3.Diane Rizzardo, 21.Lachlan Lauren, 29.Kirsteen Buchan, 28.Nikki Wright

Los Angeles Legends
1.Brittany Massro; 5.Katie Rorabaugh, 11.Geminesse Martinez (21.Alexis Farler 45'), 12.Randie Massro, 13.Ashley Salas; 7.Lynsey Domene, 8.Casey Schostag, 9.Jessica Gordon (6.Sarah Yoro 76'), 23.Danielle Bitonti (3.Bridget Brotherton 87'); 14.Tiffany Craig (24.Lauren Brown 38'), 16.Shannon Jenkins (19.Lauren Vroom 84')

Subs not used: 15.Niccole Grimaldi, 26.Jackie Hovda