Match Report:

By Simon Fudge/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps remain level on points with USL First Division leaders Puerto Rico Islanders after a well-contested 1-1 draw in the Caribbean on Sunday evening.

Takashi Hirano's first-ever goal for the Whitecaps earned Vancouver a share of the spoils in Bayamon, as the league's top two clubs went head-to-head in the first of two pivotal clashes in Puerto Rico this week. The Japanese defender's exquisite free kick strike late in the match canceled out Kendall Jagdeosingh's opportunistic opening goal midway through the second half at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, as the Whitecaps took their unbeaten league run to six matches.

The draw leaves both clubs level at the top of the standings on 46 points with a record of 13 wins, six defeats, and seven draws. The Islanders remain in top spot in USL-1, however, as they have superior goal difference over Vancouver.

Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made three changes to the side that started last Wednesday's 2-0 home win over Atlanta Silverbacks. Geordie Lyall returned to the starting line-up in place of Luca Bellisomo at right fullback, while captain Jeff Clarke replaced the injured Wesley Charles at centre back. The experienced Steve Kindel, meanwhile, replaced youngster Mason Trafford in central midfield.

Islanders head coach Colin Clarke, meanwhile, made eight changes to the side that started Friday's goalless draw with the Battery in Charleston. Only defender John Krause, midfielder Jonny Steele, and striker Jagdeosingh were retained to face the Whitecaps on Sunday.

With early evening sunshine piercing through the stands at the Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium, recent wet conditions in Puerto Rico had taken its toll on the state of the pitch, as both sets of players found the footing a bit treacherous at times in the opening half.

Playing in their away kit of all blue, the Whitecaps created the better opportunities in the first half, with Alfredo Valente unfortunate not to hit the target with a first-time shot from Hirano's cross from the left on 12 minutes.

The Islanders, who were in their change colours of green and black, looked to attack Vancouver through the central areas, but they struggled to create any real openings before the break. On 22 minutes, striker Jagdeosingh struck a low shot that rolled easily into the arms of Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly.

It was the visitors that looked the more likely to break the deadlock, but Islanders goalkeeper Bill Gaudette was equal to goal-bound efforts from Sebrango on 34 minutes and Nicholas Addlery's fine header from another Hirano cross a few minutes later.

At the other end, the attacking quality was not of the same standard from Puerto Rico in the first half, as they squandered a number of set-piece opportunities in and around the Whitecaps box. On 38 minutes, a good piece of defending from Lyle Martin saw the right-sided midfielder block Cristian Arrieta's ambitious bicycle kick effort away for a corner after an Islanders free kick from the right reached the defender at the far post.

There were chances at both ends before the break, with Gaudette saving a low Valente strike on 44 minutes before Steele struck a shot wide of Nolly's goal, as both sides went to their respective dressing rooms tied 0-0 at halftime.

Night had descended on Bayamon by the time the second half had begun, with Jagdeosingh heading the first chance of the half just wide of Nolly's near post on 51 minutes.

Yet, the early stages after the restart saw Vancouver put their Caribbean hosts under plenty of pressure, with Gaudette called on again to make a fine diving save from Addlery's low drive on 53 minutes.

The scoreline remained goalless to the 58th minute when Jagdeosingh had a great opportunity for Puerto Rico, but after making space for himself in the Whitecaps box, the Trinidad & Tobago native struck his shot right at Nolly.

On the hour mark, Thordarson made two changes to freshen up his side, with Vicente Arze replacing Lyall and moving into the right midfield position, as Martin shifted back to right fullback.

However, on 67 minutes, the match turned when Puerto Rico stunned Vancouver by scoring the game's opening goal. The visitors failed to properly clear Steele's ball into the Whitecaps box following an Islanders throw-in. Puerto Rico centre back Nigel Henry rose highest to head the ball back into the box, where Jagdeosingh was able to get a step on Clarke before striking home a left-footed shot past Nolly for 1-0.

Thordarson's reaction to going behind saw him introduce another attacking player in Justin Moose on the right side of midfield, with fellow substitute Arze moving to the left side of midfield after Valente had departed the match when Moose was substituted in.

The Whitecaps then pressed forward and created a chance for Sebrango on 73 minutes, but the Cuban hit-man was unable to redirect Arze's cross from the left on target.

In fact, the Islanders had a chance to end the match as a contest three minutes later, but after Fabrice Noel got on the end of Edwin Miranda's through ball and eluded the attentions of Hirano in the Whitecaps box, the Haiti international struck the post with his low rolling shot before The Blue & White cleared away the danger off the rebound.

Thordarson's final substitution was to introduce Whitecaps Residency youngster Randy Edwini-Bonsu for Sebrango on 84 minutes, but it would be one of his defenders that came up with the heroics two minutes later.

After being awarded a free kick near the edge of the Puerto Rico box, Hirano stepped up to hit a sublime left-footed set-piece that curled over the Islanders wall and past a diving Gaudette before hitting the back of the net for a priceless late equalizer. "It was a fantastic free kick," Thordarson told whitecapsfc.com. "We have known about Takashi's qualities on set-pieces, but we have chosen not to have him take too many this season. Tonight's effort was a top-class finish, as he struck it fantastically well."

It was the least that the Whitecaps deserved from Sunday's match, and knowing that a point could be taken, Vancouver saw out the dying stages before the final whistle confirmed a fourth-straight draw all-time between these two top clubs in USL-1.


Thordarson was pleased that his side came away with something from Sunday's contest. "I was very disappointed when Puerto Rico scored their goal because I felt that we deserved to be in front by one or two goals ourselves," said the lcelandic coach. "We were doing things well and we had our chances in the game, but by having to equalize late in the match, we have to feel happy about getting a point in the end. We know that Friday will be very tough, but if we manage to get three points from that game, then we will be in a fantastic position at the top of the standings. Puerto Rico have a busy schedule at the moment, so we hope to take advantage of that on Friday."

Vancouver will remain in Puerto Rico for the next five days and prepare for a crucial third and final regular season clash with the Islanders in Bayamon on Friday evening, while Puerto Rico will turn their attentions back to the CONCACAF Champions League and their preliminary round, second leg tie at home to Costa Rican club Liga Deportiva Alajuelense on Wednesday night. The Islanders have the upper hand on their Central American rivals after scoring a vital away goal in last week's 1-1 first-leg draw in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC have announced that they will pursue one of two Major League Soccer (MLS) expansion franchises set to be added to the league by 2011. Fans are encouraged to visit whitecapsfc.com/mls to register their support for a Whitecaps MLS franchise and help show the rest of North America what Vancouver and British Columbia have to offer.

Goal Summaries:
PRI – Kendall Jagdeosingh (Nigel Henry) 67'
The Whitecaps failed to properly clear Jonny Steele's ball into the Vancouver box following a Puerto Rico corner. Henry rose highest to head ball back into the Whitecaps box, where Jagdeosingh was able to get a step on his marker before striking home a left-foot shot from close range.

VAN – Takashi Hirano 86'
After being awarded a free kick near the edge of the Puerto Rico box, Hirano stepped up to hit a sublime left-footed set-piece that curled over the Islanders wall and past a diving Bill Gaudette for a priceless late equalizer.

Match Stats:
Shots: Puerto Rico 3 - Vancouver 5
Saves: Puerto Rico 6 - Vancouver 5
Fouls: Puerto Rico 6 - Vancouver 7
Offsides: Puerto Rico 2 - Vancouver 2
Corners: Puerto Rico 3 - Vancouver 2

Cautions:
Vancouver: Jay Nolly 66'
Puerto Rico: Scott Jones 54'

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Jay Nolly; 2.Jeff Clarke, 12.Geordie Lyall (23.Vicente Arze 59’), 15.Omar Jarun (18.Mason Trafford 80'), 22.Takashi Hirano; 7.Martin Nash, 8.Steve Kindel, 9.Alfredo Valente (25.Justin Moose 71’), 24.Lyle Martin; 11.Nicholas Addlery (26.Jason Jordan 59'), 16.Eduardo Sebrango (17.Randy Edwini-Bonsu 84’)

Subs not used: 31.Simon Thomas, 6.Luca Bellisomo

Puerto Rico Islanders
1.Bill Gaudette; 2.Scott Jones, 4.Nigel Henry, 12.John Krause, 26.Cristian Arrieta; 5.Noah Delgado (21.Daniel Ojeda 85'), 7.Edwin Miranda, 13.Osei Telesford, 22.Jonny Steele (15.Sandy Gbandi 72'); 11.Fabrice Noel (14.Taiwo Atieno 76'), 23.Kendall Jagdeosingh (9.Josh Hansen 89')

Subs not used: 25.Michael Behonick, 6.Alexis Rivera, 10.Petter Villegas