BY BOB MACKIN
THE BUZZ: The Vancouver Whitecaps remains unbeaten, but one of their top newcomers could be gone for a while.
OUCH: Defender Mouloud Akloul scored in his United States Soccer Federation Division 2 debut Saturday against AC St. Louis, but immediately left the 1-0 Caps’ win. He suffered an apparent left ankle fracture on the goal, which was assisted by captain Martin Nash.
WITH A LITTLE HELP: France’s Akloul scored the game’s only goal in the 19th minute. The former Al-Ittihad Kalba of the United Arab Emirates player hobbled off the field. He was taken off by stretcher and replaced by Greg Janicki. Midfielder Wes Knight also left in the first half when he twisted a knee.
HABER RETURNS: Striker Marcus Haber’s best chance was an 88th minute shot that went wide to the left of the St. Louis net. Haber returned to the Whitecaps’ lineup a week earlier in Miami after a stint with England’s West Bromwich Albion.
ST. LOSE: Goalkeeper Jay Nolly registered his third shutout of 2010 for the 2-0-1 Caps. Expansion St. Louis is 0-4.
THOR THOUGHT: “I wasn’t happy with the game,” said Caps’ coach Teitur Thordarson. “We had possession, we were very close several times but didn’t manage to score more than one goals.”
NEXT : The Caps visit the Portland Timbers on Thursday. Next home game is May 5 when the Caps host the Montreal Impact in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship series.
