BURNABY, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps returned to winning ways with a dramatic 3-2 home win over Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday.
Despite trailing twice in the afternoon contest at Swangard Stadium, the Whitecaps moved into a tie for first place with Puerto Rico Islanders in the USL First Division standings after scoring two late goals to claim all three points against their Georgia-based rivals. Eduardo Sebrango took his scoring tally to 10 with two more goals in the second half after captain Jeff Clarke had found the scoresheet in the first half for the home side.
Though disappointed not to come away with anything from the match, Atlanta contributed to the entertainment at Swangard, with the ever-dangerous Ansu Toure scoring two fine goals in the first half for the Silverbacks.
Whitecaps head coach Teitur Thordarson made three changes to the side that started last Tuesday’s 3-2 defeat in Atlanta. Two youngsters that made notable performances as substitutes in the club’s recent road trip earned their first-ever starts for the Whitecaps. Mason Trafford came into Vancouver’s backline, while Admir Salihovic started in midfield, as Steve Kindel and Nicholas Addlery both missed out through suspension after collecting five yellow cards during the season. Omar Jarun returned from a similar ban to face his old club at centre back, as defender Luca Bellisomo had to settle for a spot on the substitutes’ bench. Also making Thordarson’s list of subs were two players back from injury in right fullback Lyle Martin and fellow defender Geordie Lyall.
Silverbacks head coach Jason Smith, meanwhile, was forced into one change from the side that drew 0-0 at home to Miami FC Blues on Friday evening. Top goalscorer Macoumba Kandji was unable to travel to Canada because of visa issues, so Atlanta native Chris Mahaffey replaced the Senegal-born forward in the visitors’ starting XI. There was also a first-ever appearance back in Vancouver for former Whitecaps striker Jason McLaughlin, who played in the Atlanta midfield.
Though it was a cloudy Sunday afternoon at Swangard, a crowd of 4,689 saw an entertaining first half of soccer, with three goals scored in the opening 45 minutes.
The Whitecaps tried to create the first chance of the game on 10 minutes, with Jason Jordan’s fine run into the Atlanta box nearly allowing Alfredo Valente a chance in front of goal. However, Jordan’s pass towards the winger was well cut out by Silverbacks defender Josh Bolton. A minute later at the other end, McLaughlin looked to play in Jerson Monteiro with a good through ball, but Whitecaps goalkeeper Jay Nolly was able to get to the ball first in the Vancouver box.
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