Match Report:

By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC women recorded a 1-1 draw on the road against the W-League's Western Conference-leading Seattle Sounders women on Wednesday evening.

Striker Jodi-Ann Robinson scored on a breakaway early in the second half to give the Whitecaps the lead. The Sounders equalized a quarter of an hour later on a Lyndsey Patterson breakaway.

It was the second straight 1-1 result between the two Pacific Northwest clubs following their May 16 meeting in Vancouver's home opener at Swangard Stadium.

Coach Alan Koch opted for an aggressive 4-3-3 formation, with several changes to the starting eleven from the previous match. Sophie Schmidt was moved back to her normal midfield spot, changing places with Amy Vermeulen, who went up front alongside with Robinson and Kirsteen Buchan, who received her first start of the season. Young midfielder Chelsea Stewart and Monica Lam-Feist flanked Schmidt, while on defence, Katie Thorlakson - who is more accustomed to an attacking role - got the start at fullback. Rachael Pelat, who had come off the substitutes' bench in the home opener to set up Vancouver's goal, also started at fullback.

Seattle were the better team in the first half, as Vancouver came out flat, even though neither side created many chances. The 'Caps had trouble getting shots on target, while the Sounders could not find a way past veteran Whitecaps goalkeeper Sian Bagshawe, who was looking for a team-record 28th career win.

The first half finished scoreless.

To start the second half, the Whitecaps brought on young striker Nikki Wright, the goalscoring hero in the previous encounter. Unfortunately, Wright had to leave the game just ten minutes later after receiving a blow to the head. Preliminary reports are that the injury is not serious.

Wright's addition proved to be a good omen, however, as the Whitecaps found the net almost as soon as she stepped on the pitch. On 46 minutes, veteran defender Randee Hermus threaded a great pass to Robinson, who got in behind the Seattle defence before chipping the ball over Sounders goalkeeper Kati Hultin to give the visitors the lead.

Vancouver played much better in the second half, taking the game to the home side, and ultimately pulling even in final shots at nine apiece.

On 62 minutes, however, Seattle leveled the score on a similar play to the Whitecaps goal. The Whitecaps defence was caught square, as substitute Erin Redwine played the ball ahead to the speedy Patterson. She went in one-on-one against Bagshawe and beat the 'Caps keeper with a well-placed shot to the bottom corner. The forward also scored Seattle's goal in Vancouver last month.

Both teams had chances to win the game in the late stages. With ten minutes left, Patterson had a shot in close, but was stopped by Bagshawe. At the other end minutes later, Vancouver substitute Kate Qually fired over the crossbar from six yards out.


The result leaves Vancouver in fourth place in the W-League Western Conference with a 0W-0L-2D record, while Seattle remains top of the standings at 2W-0L-2D.

The Whitecaps next match is this Sunday, June 7, against reigning W-League champions Pali Blues at Swangard Stadium. Sunday's match is the first game of a Whitecaps doubleheader, with the women set to kick off at 4 p.m. PDT, while the men's team battle Canadian rivals Montreal Impact in USL First Division action at 7 p.m. PDT

Scoring Summary:
46’ - VAN - Jodi-Ann Robinson (Randee Hermus)
62’ - SEA - Lyndsey Patterson (Erin Redwine)

Match Stats:
Shots: Seattle 9 - Vancouver 9
Saves: Seattle 0 - Vancouver 3
Fouls: Seattle 6 - Vancouver 6
Offsides: Seattle 4 - Vancouver 2
Corners: Seattle 7 - Vancouver 6

Cautions:
VAN - 43 - Kirsteen Buchan
SEA - 43 - Kelli Smith

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Sian Bagshawe; 8.Rachael Pelat, 11.Randee Hermus, 19.Eden Hingwing, 16.Katie Thorlakson (17.Kim McMullen 87'); 13.Chelsea Stewart, 15.Sophie Schmidt, 18.Monica Lam-Feist (22.Rosalyn Hicks 68’); 6.Amy Vermeulen (Brienna Shaw 90'),10.Jodi-Ann Robinson (7.Ashley McGhee 90'), 4.Kirsteen Buchan (20.Nikki Wright 45'; 2.Kate Qually 55')

Subs not used: 27.Stephanie Panozzo

Seattle Sounders
1.Katie Hultin; 7.Beth Drollinger, 15.Shannon Lovejoy (9.Erin Redwine 61'), Erin, 19.Kathleen Deines, 20.Kathryn Warner, 23.Kelli Smith; 6.Allison Cowan, 12.Michelle French; 2.Chalise Baysa (38.Kelly Irving 48'), 16.Lyndsey Patterson, 17.Veronica Perez (4.Kaitlin Miyake 86')

Subs not used: 0.Kylie Broadbent, 10.Blair Slapper, 13.Zahra Lechak, 24.Ashley Riley