Preview: Whitecaps FC Reserves face FC Edmonton

Klazura vs. Edmonton

Scoring Summary:
30' - VAN - Paulo Jr.
51' - VAN - Tom Heinemann (Paulo Jr.)
54' - FCE - Michael Cox
62' - VAN - Kekuta Manneh (Paulo Jr.)
73' - FCE - Wes Knight
87' - VAN - Corey Hertzog (Matt Watson)


Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 15 - Edmonton 8
Shots on Goal: Vancouver 5 - Edmonton 3
Saves: Vancouver 2 - Edmonton 2
Fouls: Vancouver 5 - Edmonton 7
Offsides: Vancouver 1 - Edmonton 0
Corners: Vancouver 6 - Edmonton 2


Caution:
35' - FCE - Adrian Leroy
55' - VAN - Ethen Sampson
88' - FCE - Neil Hlavaty


Ejections:
74' - VAN - Aminu Abdallah

Vancouver Whitecaps FC Starting XI:
18.Brad Knighton; 2.Jordan Harvey, 43.Ethan Sampson, 16.Johnny Leveron (33.Adam Clement 55'), 32.Greg Klazura; 8.Matt Watson, 20.Aminu Abdallah, 31.Russell Teibert; 22.Paulo Jr. (34.Caleb Clarke 82'), 29.Tommy Heinemann (26.Corey Hertzog 71'), 23.Kekuta Manneh


Subs:
39.Simon Thomas, 25.Emmanuel Adjetey, 34.Caleb Clarke, 33.Adam Clement, 26.Corey Hertzog, 42.Dever Orgill

FC Edmonton Starting XI:
Lance Parker; Lance Laing, Adrian LeRoy, Mallan Roberts, Eddie Edward (Antonio Rago 82'); Massimo Mirabelli (Wes Knight 45'), Edem Mortotsi (Elvir Gigolaj 68'), Neil Hlavaty, Shaun Saiko; Michael Cox, Daryl Fordyce

Subs:
Ajeej Sarkaria, Chris de Guise, Wes Knight, Michael Nonni, Elvir Gigolaj, Dillon Torindo, Sadi Jalali, Antonio Rago, John Smits, Andy Ramos


VANCOUVER, BC – Whitecaps FC Reserves take on North American Soccer League (NASL) outfit FC Edmonton on Tuesday afternoon in a scrimmage at UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. PT with updates on Twitter through @WhitecapsMatch.


The match will not only provide another test for the ‘Caps Reserves, but also a scouting opportunity for Whitecaps FC before they take on FC Edmonton in the 2013 Amway Canadian Championship semifinals, with the first leg at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton on April 24, 2013. The two teams will then meet again in the decisive second leg on May 5, 2013 at BC Place.


VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC

Whitecaps FC Reserves began their 2013 schedule with three matches against local university sides. The Blue and White started off with a disappointing 2-0 loss against the University of British Columbia, but responded with a 3-0 win against the University of Victoria and a 3-1 win over Simon Fraser University.


Tuesday’s match versus FC Edmonton will continue to provide opportunities for players to prove to the coaching staff that they deserve more MLS action.


The ‘Caps Reserves will open MLS Reserve League play on Sunday, April 14, at home to Real Salt Lake Reserves at Thunderbird Stadium.


Roster vs. FC Edmonton

Goalkeepers: Brad Knighton, Simon Thomas

Defenders: Adam Clement, Jordan Harvey, Greg Klazura, Johnny Leverón, Ethen Sampson


Midfielders: Aminu Abdallah, Kekuta Manneh, Paulo Jr., Russell Teibert, Matt Watson, Emmanuel Adjetey


Strikers: Tommy Heinemann, Corey Hertzog, Dever Orgill, Caleb Clarke


FC EDMONTON

With a little over two weeks until they begin their 2013 NASL campaign, FC Edmonton come to Vancouver in search of a challenge.


Former Vancouver Whitecaps FC assistant coach Colin Miller took the reins at Edmonton in November and looks to turn around the club’s fortunes. Last season, the Eddies had a disappointing season in which the Alberta side finished eighth in the NASL, 10 points outside the playoffs.


Edmonton’s roster features several familiar faces. Centre back Carlyle Mitchell recently went on loan from Whitecaps FC, while defender Wes Knight played in Vancouver from 2009 until 2011, including a substitute appearance and assist in the ‘Caps inaugural MLS match against Toronto FC in 2011. Other familiar names include striker Sadi Jalali and defender Antonio Rago, who both took part in the Whitecaps FC Residency program. In terms of personal connections, ‘Caps midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker grew up with Edmonton midfielder Chris Nurse in England, while Martin Rennie coached Nurse at Carolina RailHawks.


Following their preseason preparations, FC Edmonton open their 2013 NASL season at Fort Lauderdale Strikers on April 6.


HEAD-TO-HEAD

The two sides met for the first time during the 2012 Amway Canadian Championship semifinals. The ‘Caps won the series with a 2-0 victory in Edmonton followed by a 3-1 win at BC Place.


Dating back to 1979, the ‘Caps have played teams from Edmonton a total of 38 times and hold an impressive 31W-5L-2D record in those matches.


NEXT UP

The next match for Whitecaps FC Reserves will be their first of the 2013 MLS Reserve League season when they host Real Salt Lake Reserves on Sunday, April 14 at Thunderbird Stadium. Kickoff for that match will be 11 a.m. PT.