Match Report:

By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC women concluded their USL W-League season on a down note on Sunday afternoon, losing 4-1 away to Real Colorado Cougars in Littleton, Colorado.

Kate Qually scored Vancouver's lone goal in the second half.

Both teams were already eliminated from playoff contention, with Colorado Force FC having claimed the W-League Western Conference's second and final playoff spot on Saturday.

Whitecaps head coach Alan Koch made several changes to the side that had lost Friday to the Force. Veteran Rosalyn Hicks came into midfield in a 4-3-3 formation, while Katie Thorlakson was moved up front alongside young speedsters Nikki Wright and Julie Armstrong. At the back, rookie goalkeeper Stephanie Panozzo got the start, as did central defender Kim McMullen.

The match kicked off on a scorching hot afternoon in the 'Mile High City', and was played at a relatively modest pace. Both teams were playing for pride in this game, with the Whitecaps hoping they could overtake Seattle Sounders women and finish in third place in the standings. However, Real Colorado had other ideas.

In the opening minutes, Panozzo was twice tested. Just two minutes in, she slid out to block a shot, and five minutes after that, collected a rising blast with difficulty.

At the other end, Vancouver came close on four minutes, as a Randee Hermus header off a Thorlakson corner kick was headed off the goal line by a Cougars defender and out for another corner.

On 14 minutes, a shot from Amy Vermeulen had pace, but was right at Cougars goalkeeper Briana Schulze.

The Whitecaps suffered a setback midway through the half, as Wright aggravated an ankle injury which she had picked up late in Friday's game, and was forced to come off, with Qually taking her place.

The home side opened scoring on 35 minutes, as Jenna Owens got the ball in the 'Caps box on the feed from new signing Ameera Abdullah, and fired it into the net for 1-0.

The Cougars almost pounced again moments later during a big scramble, in which a couple of shots were blocked, before the Whitecaps were finally able to clear.

It was 1-0 at halftime, and still anybody's game.

Vancouver nearly drew level just two minutes after the restart, but Thorlakson's shot went wide left.

Real Colorado then put the match out of reach, with two goals in ten minutes, during a time in which Vancouver had trouble keeping possession. On 50 minutes, Kellyn Farrell doubled the lead, then on the hour mark, Brianna Pugh scored her first of two goals to make it 3-0.

The Whitecaps then came within inches of scoring on 69 minutes, as substitute striker Chelsea Buckland hammered a shot just past the far post, with Schulze beaten.

On 77 minutes, the 'Caps finally found the scoresheet. The visitors' two substitutes combined, as Buckland's cross was stroked home by Qually for her second goal of the season.

The home side would have the final say, however. A poor clearance by a tired Vancouver defence went straight to Pugh, who fired home.


It finished 4-1 for Real Colorado, as the Whitecaps slumped to a disappointing 3W-4L-5D record to finish fifth in the Western Conference. This is the women's team's lowest finish, and first losing season as a W-League club. Real Colorado, meanwhile, jumped to fourth place after finishing at 4W-5L-3D.

This was the final day of the 2009 regular season. Defending W-League champions Pali Blues will now host Colorado Force in the Western Conference playoff final. The larger Eastern and Central Conferences, meanwhile, will begin divisional playoffs next weekend.

The Whitecaps women wish to thank their many fans and followers for their support in 2009, and look forward to another exciting season of W-League soccer in 2010!

Scoring Summary:
35' - RCC - Jenna Owens (Ameera Abdullah)
50' - RCC - Kellyn Farrell
60' - RCC - Brianna Pugh
78' - VAN - Kate Qually (Chelsea Buckland)
87' - RCC - Brianna Pugh

Match Stats:
Shots: Real Colorado 6 - Vancouver 6
Saves: Real Colorado 4 - Vancouver 2
Fouls: Real Colorado 2 - Vancouver 2
Offsides: Real Colorado 0 - Vancouver 0
Corners: Real Colorado 1 - Vancouver 3

Cautions:
9' - VAN - Amy Vermeulen
90' - RCC - Ameera Abdullah

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
27.Stephanie Panozzo; 8.Rachael Pelat, 11.Randee Hermus, 17.Kim McMullen, 19.Eden Hingwing (24.Brienna Shaw 75'); 6.Amy Vermeulen, 18.Monica Lam-Feist (28.Natalie Boyd 65'), 22.Rosalyn Hicks (7.Ashley McGhee 40'); 20.Nikki Wright (2.Kate Qually 22'), 9.Julie Armstrong 16.Katie Thorlakson (25.Chelsea Buckland 55')

Subs not used: 12.Gurveen Clair, 14.Sian Bagshawe

Real Colorado Cougars
0.Briana Schulze; 4.Kerstyn Farrell, 11.Brianna Young (3.Kristin Arnold 86'), 13.Marissa McBride, 15.Elizabeth Sweeney; 6.Kellyn Farrell (20.Kristin Medeiros 86'), 10.Beth West (12.Vanessa Mais 70'), 14.Taryn Hemmings (9.Brianna Pugh 46'), 17.Brittney MacDonald (8.Chandler Guetz 68'); 2.Ameera Abdullah, 22.Jenna Owens (22.Kathryn Schubert 86')