Vancouver Whitecaps Women News Release -- www.whitecapsfc.com
Sunday, May 22, 2011
COQUITLAM, British Columbia -- Vancouver Whitecaps FC women raised their record to a perfect 2-0-0 Sunday afternoon in Coquitlam, winning their home opener 1-0 against rivals the Seattle Sounders in front of 1,555 enthusiastic fans at a sold-out Percy Perry Stadium. Striker Sydney Leroux scored on her homecoming late in the first half to give Whitecaps FC the victory.
Coach Hubert Busby Jr. made two changes form the squad that defeated Victoria Highlanders 2-0 in the season opener last Sunday. U.S. U-23 international midfielder Amber Brooks made her debut, prompting captain Kelsey Hood to shift to central defence. Up front, the crowd gave a big cheer to welcome back Vancouver-born U.S. international striker Sydney Leroux, who last played for Whitecaps FC as a 15-year-old in 2005.
The Whitecaps had the better of the play for most of the first half, out-shooting the visitors 9-3. Leroux came close just past the half-hour mark as she stole the ball from a defender at the edge of the box, but her shot was well saved by Sounders goalkeeper Elizabeth Ruiz.
Seattle’s best chance of the first half came from an in-swinging corner on the right by veteran Justi Baumgardt on 35 minutes, that had to be cleared off the line by Whitecaps midfielder Ranee Premji.
The Whitecaps netted the game’s only goal in first-half stoppage time as Tiffany Weimer sent Carrie Patterson breaking into the box on the right, and she centered for Leroux to first-time from five yards. It was Leroux’s first ever goal for the club.
Seattle had their chances in the second half, but couldn’t beat goalkeeper Kristen Funk, who recorded her second straight shutout. Funk turned back a good shot from Kara Kuttler inside the box in the 50th minute, then nine minutes later watched as new Seattle signing Lindsay Elston thudded a 20-yard effort off the crossbar.
The home side came close on 64 minutes as substitute Tina Romagnuolo fed a bouncing ball ahead to Leroux who chipped the onrushing keeper, but sent it just wide.
The Whitecaps were reduced to ten players in the 77th minute as midfielder Amber Brooks was shown a straight red card by referee Sasa Jecanski for foul language. Vancouver’s defence held firm though, as the Whitecaps picked up a big three points against their rivals, extending their regular season undefeated streak to 12 games over two seasons. Meanwhile it was the first time since 2009 that Seattle has lost on the road.
Coach Busby praised his defence after the match.
"That’s two wins and keeping a clean sheet, which I think is very important," he said. "You always give yourself an opportunity when you’re not leaking goals, and they were very solid at the back again today."
Making her debut as a defender was captain Kelsey Hood, who believes the team can only get better as the new arrivals start to gel.
"I think we’re going to get there," Hood said, "we keep having people come in, and we’re trying to feel each other out. It’s going to come."
The goal-scoring hero Leroux meanwhile was delighted to be playing in front of the enthusiastic home crowd.
"Canada and Vancouver will always be my home, so it was awesome to come back and it was an awesome crowd, and a really great atmosphere," Leroux said.
Much of the credit for the successful home-opener goes to Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, who hosted the match.
The next chance for Whitecaps FC fans to see their team is on Friday at home to Colorado Rush in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Chilliwack’s Exhibition Stadium. The match is part of the Whitecaps Women’s Soccer Series presented by Kia - in partnership with the Girls Metro Soccer League, and is being hosted by Chilliwack FC. Tickets for all home games are available online for just $12 at www.whitecapsfc.com.