By BOB MACKIN
- THE BUZZ:
The Vancouver Whitecaps briefly return to United Soccer Leagues' First Division play Saturday night when they visit the Portland Timbers (7 p.m., www.usllive.com).
- REMATCH:
The 3-1-3 Timbers will be vying for revenge after captain Martin Nash scored the only goal in a 1-0 Caps' win at Swangard Stadium on April 25. It was the first 2009 victory for defending champion Vancouver.
- RIDE THE WAVE:
The Whitecaps are fresh from Wednesday night's 1-0 home win over the Montreal Impact in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship series. Vancouver hosts Toronto FC in a must-win game on Tuesday.
- PRESSURE GAGE:
Ethan Gage scored his first professional goal in the 68th minute to give Vancouver the win. Caps' goalkeeper Jay Nolly preserved the shutout when he saved consecutive point-blank shots by Amadou Gai and Eduardo Sebrango in the 88th minute.
