The Vancouver Whitecaps (3W-1L-3D) head to upper New York State to take on the Rochester Rhinos (3W-3L-2D) in USSF D-2 Pro League play on Saturday at the Marino Auto Stadium. It's their second match of a three-match road trip.
The ‘Caps crash into Rochester looking to bounce back from a disappointing week including a 1-1 draw against the Montreal Impact that eliminated Vancouver from Nutrilite Championship contention Wednesday night.
"Everyone may be a little bit down after Saturday's game," said head coach Teitur Thordarson. "Once we start preparing for Saturday's game against Rochester, I'm sure everyone will be focused on the task at hand."
Vancouver hosted the Rhinos at Swangard Stadium last Saturday and stole a 2-0 victory to place the Whitecaps at the top of the NASL Conference.
The ‘Caps head into Saturday's match supported by the best defensive record in the USSF D-2 Pro League. The blue and white allowed only two goals in seven league games, both of which came in a 2-1 loss to the Portland Timbers April 29.
Despite an impressive goals-against record, Vancouver finds themselves lacking in scoring. The team scored four goals in six games in the month of May, including three consecutive 0-0 draws.
"If we keep our game up to the level that we have been playing recently, we will certainly create goal chances in Rochester," said Thordarson.
The ‘Caps will rely on some young talent to produce offense. Striker Doudou Toure was a force against Montreal Wednesday. He substituted into the game in the second half and his speed looked potentially lethal to the opposition's defense.
"From the minute he was on, he looked extremely good," said Thordarson of his young striker. "Doudou is different from the other strikers that we currently have."
Saturday's match up between the ‘Caps and Rhinos will be the 20th all-time meeting between the two clubs. Vancouver leads the all-time series with nine wins, seven defeats and three draws and are unbeaten against Rochester in their last three matchups.
Game time is 4 p.m. PST.
Notes: Defender/midfielder Blake Wagner remains sidelined with a sprained foot...Mouloud Akloul continues his recovery after suffering a fractured ankle…Goalkeeper Dan Plec is also still on the mend from a gluteus maximus injury.
