By BOB MACKIN
The Buzz:
Hello, Cleveland, hope you're kinder than Quebec. The Vancouver Whitecaps visit the expansion City Stars in the hometown of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tuesday after losing twice in three days in Montreal.
Impacted:
The Whitecaps arrived in Montreal and watched their Nutrilite Canadian Championship hopes evaporate Thursday when the Impact dropped a 6-1 loss to Toronto FC. The Reds advanced on goal differential to the CONCACAF Champions League. On Saturday, the Whitecaps lost 2-1 to the Impact in a United Soccer Leagues' First Division match.
Soccer Daze:
Rocco Placentino gave Montreal the 34th minute lead and Roberto Brown scored the eventual winner five minutes later. Whitecap Marlon James' ruined goalkeeper Matt Jordan's shutout bid in the 63rd during the CBC-televised match.
No Chucks:
Saturday was the first of the two-game suspension for assistant captain Wesley Charles and star striker Charles Gbeke. They were red-carded June 12 in a home match against Miami FC after fighting each other.
Falling stars:
The City Stars were 2008 USL 2nd Division champions. On the positive side of the 1st Division ledger, Cleveland has a pair of wins and a pair of ties. But it leads the league with nine losses. Only the 1-6-4 Minnesota Thunder are worse.
Moo:
The Whitecaps were in Saputo Stadium on Saturday. On Tuesday they visit 5,000-seat Middlefield Cheese Stadium where Cleveland boasts a forward named Max Cream.
Ex-Trinity Western all-Canadian Paul Ballard is a defender.
