Match Report:

By Alan Douglas/whitecapsfc.com

Vancouver Whitecaps FC women (6W-0L-4D) closed out their United Soccer Leagues W-League regular season campaign undefeated after a 1-1 draw against Interstate 5 rivals Seattle Sounders women (2W-2L-6D) in front of 1,049 sun-baked fans at Victoria's Royal Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon. The result eliminated Seattle from playoff contention.

The match featured the first W-League start for 17-year-old Victoria native Abigail Raymer in front of her hometown crowd. The biggest round of applause, however, was saved for defender Emily Zurrer from nearby Crofton, BC, and it was she who went on to score Vancouver's second-half equalizer.

The Whitecaps controlled play for almost the entire first half, out-shooting Seattle 11 to two in the process. Just eight minutes in, a Whitecaps corner found Zurrer in the box, and her looping header had to be nodded off the goalline by a Sounders defender. The rebound went to Martino Franko, but her effort went straight at Seattle goalkeeper Katie Hultin.

A minute later, young Raymer almost gave her hometown fans cause for cheer when she stole the ball at the top of the Seattle box and fired a good shot, which struck the far post.

The Whitecaps were enjoying a wide edge in possession, but had trouble converting it into quality scoring chances. Vancouver did strike the woodwork late in the half. On 42 minutes, Desiree Scott at the top of the box did well to win the ball, which broke for Kirsteen Buchan 15 yards out. Her quick volley, however, slammed off the far post.

Seattle's goal was a comedy of errors, and came completely against the run of play, right at the end of the first half. A long kick by Seattle keeper Hultin was misjudged by the Vancouver defence, allowing Jocelyn Charette a chance to break in on goal. However, her first touch was poor and it looked like Zurrer would be able to shepherd the ball back to goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain. The two somehow got crossed up, however, and the ball squirted free for Charette to reclaim and fire into an empty net.

Seattle held a shock 1-0 lead at the break.

Whitecaps head coach Hubert Busby Jr. brought on leading scorer Melissa Tancredi at halftime, replacing Amy Vermeulen. Yet, it was the visitors who had the first good chance. On 49 minutes, Justina MacDowell chased a through ball into the Vancouver box, getting to it just before Chamberlain, and slid her shot past the 'Caps keeper and rolling towards the net. Zurrer, however, got back just in time to clear the ball off the goal line.

Moments later, Tancredi tested the keeper with a hard rising shot from 25 yards, which was well caught by Hultin. Vancouver came close again just past the hour mark, as Scott got free on the left before wiring a shot inches wide of the far post.

Zurrer finally restored the balance in the second half. On 67 minutes, Chelsea Stewart's corner from the left made it to Zurrer in front of goal and the Canadian international volleyed the ball into the roof of the net. It was Zurrer's first goal of the season.

Moments later, Kyle sent Tancredi in on goal on the left, but she could not get enough power on her shot to beat Hultin, while with ten minutes remaining, Raymer turned and shot well, but Hultin made a good save.

Seattle desperately pushed for a winning goal that could keep their 2010 season alive. They created chances, but could not find a way past Chamberlain.

At the other end, substitute striker Nikki Wright almost won it for Vancouver in the 90th minute when the ball fell to her in front of the Seattle goal. Hultin, however, was on hand to stop her close-range blast at the near post.


This is the Whitecaps first undefeated regular season since their W-League championship campaign of 2006.

The 'Caps will now face the two-time W-League champions Pali Blues in the Western Conference playoff final match, which will be played on Saturday, July 24, at Swangard Stadium at 4 p.m. PT. Pali claimed the final playoff spot in the Western Conference after defeating Colorado Rush 4-0 in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday night.

Scoring Summary:
45' - SEA - Jocelyn Charette
67' - VAN - Emily Zurrer (Chelsea Stewart)

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 18 - Seattle 7
Saves: Vancouver 2 - Seattle 5
Fouls: Vancouver 6 - Seattle 9
Corners: Vancouver 6 - Seattle 0
Offsides: Vancouver 5 - Seattle 1

Cautions:
none

Seattle Sounders
1.Katie Hultin; 2.Elizabeth Drollinger, 17.Katie Warner, 3.Elle Sweeney, 4.Kelly Irving (13.Patty Malich 83'); 18.Kelsey Jenkins (24.Mily Reiter 60'), 9.Tafara Pulse, 7.Justi Baumgardt; 11.Jocelyn Charette (20.Justina MacDowell 45'), 22.Erin Redwine (19.Megan Miller 58'), 15.Claire Morgan

Subs not used: 35.Maddy Dickinson

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Siobhan Chamberlain; 16.Robyn Gayle, 2.Emily Zurrer, 19.Martina Franko, 3.Shannon Woeller; 6.Amy Vermeulen (14.Melissa Tancredi 45'), 8.Kaylyn Kyle, 11.Desiree Scott; 17.Chelsea Stewart, 7.Kirsteen Buchan (23.Nikki Wright 63'), 31.Abigail Raymer (25.Rachael Pelat 83')

Subs not used: 27.Stephanie Panozzo, 28.Natalie Boyd