2006 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2006 season
Chairman Greg Kerfoot
Manager Bob Lilley
2006 USL-1 4th
Playoff Champion
Highest home attendance 5,722 (SO)
(3 times)
Lowest home attendance 4, 540
June 30 vs PT
Average home league attendance 5,085
Home colours
Away colours

The 2006 Vancouver Whitecaps FC season was the club's 21st year of existence (or 31st if counting the NASL Whitecaps), as well as their 14th as a Division 2 club in the franchise model of US-based soccer leagues. 2006 was Bob Lilley's second season as head coach, and they started the season with many draws while the team sorted itself out. In the last ten games after some player additions, the Whitecaps lost only two of their last ten games. In the playoffs Vancouver went on a run as the fourth seed. They first had a play-in round series against Miami FC Blues and Romário before upsetting regular season champion or Commissioner's Cup winner and Canadian rival Montreal Impact with two second half of overtime goals in the second leg away in La belle province. The first goal scorer was Eduardo Sebrango, a striker out of favour in Montreal in 2005 (he was the 2004 leading goal scorer on the Impact) that Vancouver signed in the off season.[1][2] In the single championship game at the regular season runner-up Rochester Rhinos' new home, PAETEC Park, the Whitecaps scored via an own goal just before half time and then put the game out of reach with two more goals to win 0 – 3.[3]

The Whitecaps FC Women ruthlessly won the 2006 W-League Championship, the club's second, finishing with almost twice as many regular season points as the runner up in the Western Conference before 5 – 0 and 3 – 0 wins achieved the title.[4] The club also had four USL Super Y League teams play in the finals held in Florida. This was the first time a club has won both the men's and women's United States D2 championships in the same year.

The league was a single table competition although the schedule was not balanced; it was home and away with additional matches against Seattle, Portland, and Minnesota. Head to head results were the first tie-breaker. Average attendance increased for the fifth year in a row and was above 5,000 for the second time since 2001.[5] Two double-headers were played with the Whitecaps Women, the USL W-League.

The club also spent the year raising its local profile. The team moved its live radio broadcasts to a new start up sports radio channel in 2006 for one year. The Whitecaps Waterfront Stadium was in the local media before the season started although attempts to have the stadium ready for the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup were annulled with an unusually long six month review process.[6] The stadium was news-worthy again in June 2006 as it was recommended for inclusion in municipal development planning; note not approved for the planning process. Once approved for the planning process, the process including rezoning would have taken an additional two years. The stadium process started in 2003 and as of 2014 has not been built regardless of completely private financing.[7] The Whitecaps also partnered with a player marketing service for the player development program.[8] The club had sixteen different teams in their club structure during 2006.[9]

Schedule and results

Tables

  Commissioner's Cup, bye to semifinal round of playoffs
  Bye to semifinal round of playoffs
  First round of playoffs

Pos Club Pts Pld W L T GF GA GD H2H Pts
1Montreal Impact 512814593115+16
2Rochester Raging Rhinos 5028134113421+13
3Charleston Battery 462813873325+8CHA: 4 pts
VAN: 1 pt
4Vancouver Whitecaps 4628126104028+12
5Miami FC 3928111164744+3
6Puerto Rico Islanders 3828101083836+2
7Seattle Sounders 3728111344248−6
8Atlanta Silverbacks 3528101353642−6
9Virginia Beach Mariners 322881282637−11VAB: 7 pts
TOR: 4 pts
10Toronto Lynx 322881283036−6
11Portland Timbers 272871562539−14POR: 9 pts
MIN: 3 pts
12Minnesota Thunder 272871563445−11

Expanded Table

OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
28 46 12 6 10 40 28  +12 8 1 5 24 10  +14 4 5 5 16 18  −2

Last updated: April 26, 2010
Source: uslsoccer.com
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Pre-season

  Win   Draw   Loss

The Whitecaps opened their four-week training camp on March 27, 2006 at Simon Fraser University.[10] The preseason schedule was announced March 14, 2006 including a double header of the men's and women's teams versus the UVic Vikes.[11][12]

USL-1

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728
GroundHHAHHHAAHAAAAHHAAAAHAAHAHHHH
ResultWWDWDDLDDDWDLWWLLDWLWWWLDDWW

Source: uslsoccer.com[13]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Post-season

Bracket

Quarterfinals and Semifinals 2-game aggregate
Higher seeded team hosted first game

  • Exception: Montreal hosted second game vs Vancouver
  First Round     Semifinals     Final
                                   
      1 Montreal Impact 0 0 0  
  4 Vancouver Whitecaps 4 2 6     4 Vancouver Whitecaps (aet) 0 2 2    
  5 Miami FC 1 0 1         2 Rochester Raging Rhinos 0
      4 Vancouver Whitecaps 3
      2 Rochester Raging Rhinos 1 0 1    
  3 Charleston Battery 2 1 3     3 Charleston Battery 0 0 0  
  6 Puerto Rico Islanders 2 0 2  

Result

Voyaguers Cup

Prior to 2008, from when it has been awarded to the Canadian Championship winners, the men's title was decided on regular-season matches between Canada's USL First Division sides.

Year Rank Teams Pts Pld W L D GF GA GD
2006 1 Montreal Impact 6410332+1
2 Toronto Lynx5411234-1
3 Vancouver Whitecaps 44121440

Cascadia Cup

2006
Team Pts Pld W L D GF GA GD
Seattle Sounders 1484221310+3
Vancouver Whitecaps 128323108+2
Portland Timbers 68143611-5

Whitecaps Nations Cup

Due to the business success of neighbouring rivals' (Portland and Seattle) friendlies and the friendly with Sunderland A.F.C. in 2005 watched by 6,857, the Whitecaps marketed a four team tournament held from July 19–23, 2006. The tournament was organized with the Vancouver Multicultural Society's CultureFest and the local 27th Annual Nations Cup soccer tournament for local amateur soccer enthusiasts.[14] Welsh club Cardiff City FC also played matches in Victoria, Langley, and Seattle.[15][16][17] Due to the business success of neighbouring rivals' (Portland and Seattle) friendlies and the friendly with Sunderland A.F.C. in 2005 watched by 6,857, the Whitecaps marketed a four team tournament held from July 19–23, 2006. The tournament was organized with the Vancouver Multicultural Society's CultureFest and the local 27th Annual Nations Cup soccer tournament for local amateur soccer enthusiasts.[18] Welsh club Cardiff City FC also played matches in Victoria, Langley, and Seattle.[19][20][21]

Staff

John Rocha stepped down in August 2006 to focus on the 2007 FIFA U20 World Cup as Vancouver site chairman while continuing to support the Whitecaps in a consulting role.[22]

Soccer Operations

  • President – John Rocha
  • General Manager – Bob Lenarduzzi
  • Office Manager – Lindsay Puchlik
  • Communication Manager – Nathan Vanstone
  • Director Sales and Marketing – Rick Ramsbottom
  • Men's Head Coach – Bob Lilley
  • Men's Assistant Coach – Michael Toshack
  • Reserve Team Men's Head Coach – Nick Dasovic
  • Women's Head Coach – Bob Birarda
  • Reserve Team Women's Head Coach –
  • Director Youth Operations – Dan Lenarduzzi

Current roster

2006 marked the most significant changes to the Whitecaps roster in the 20 years of club history with twelve new players signed at the start of the season. The American coach Bob Lilley expanded the Whitecaps' recruiting more to the US college ranks, MLS, other USL-1 teams, and overseas. He opined that the rate of the improvement in the league meant that the Whitecaps did not have time if they wanted to be competitive this year to develop local players, so the Whitecaps changed to a buyer in the player marketplace.[23] Local signings such as 2006's cohort of Andrew Corrazza, Diaz Kambere, and others stopped sticking with the team going forward. As the profile of the club increased and ambitions for Division 1 grew, coaches had more pressure for immediate results and fewer local connections. This was the beginning of a trend that gradually removed locally developed long-time career players from the Whitecaps first team through release or retirement that probably culminated with the retirement of Martin Nash after the 2010 season.[24][25][26][27]

Twelve year Whitecap veteran defender and local Chris Franks retired after a spell with Doncaster Rovers F.C. Carlo Corazzin was also released.[28] Previous starting goalkeeper Five year Whitecap Mike Franks who didn't get any further minutes after recovering from injury in 2005 was also released. Defender Mark Watson was released prior to the 2006 season and midfielder Nick Dasovic retired before the 2005 season to coach.[29]

On March 28, the Whitecaps announced the trade of Daniel Antoniuk who was with Portland Timbers in 2005 to Montreal Impact for Eduardo Sebrango. Bob Lilley was familiar with Eduardo Sebrango from his time coaching the Impact and Sebrango was recovering from injuries and saw little playing time in 2005. As advertised in the signing announcement, he would score important, timely goals in big games both for and against the Whitecaps in the years to come.[30] They also announced the signing of 2005 MLS Columbus Crew midfielder/forward David Testo.[31]

On April 7, 2006 the Whitecaps signed fullback John Jones and defender Anthony Noreiga.[32] The whitecaps signed locals Diaz Kambere and Stefan Leslie to amateur contracts as well as American midfielder Tony Donatelli, and forward Canadian Sita-Taty Matondo,[33] Another key signing was the English Premier League Newcastle United goalkeeper Tony Caig on April 13, 2006.[34] Due to injuries in midfield and forward requiring one of the regular defenders to move to midfield, in June the Whitecaps also signed defender Ryan Saurez.[35]

The 2006 team was billed as much more offensive minded with greater depth at the forward and midfield positions. The line up was relatively settled with 25 players getting playing minutes and seven getting about 2000 minutes or more.[36] James Alberts, Jeff Clarke, Joey Gjertsen, and David Morris appeared in all 28 games for the Whitecaps. Despite preseason speculation the goal scoring was again singular, this year Joey Gjertsen was fourth in the league with 12 goals. Martin Nash and Joey Gjertsen led the team in assists with both in the top ten league-wide.[37] Gjertsen's year for the champion Whitecaps, fourth in goals (12) and second in assists (7), earned him a league most valuable player award.[38]


Goalkeeper stats

No. Nat. Player Total USL-1 Playoffs
MIN SV GA GAA SO MIN SV GA GAA SO MIN SV GA GAA SO
1 England Tony Caig 2550 75 26 0.918 11 2070 63 25 1.086 7 480 12 1 0.1875 4
1 United States Josh Wicks 450 20 3 0.60 2 450 20 3 0.60 2

|} Last updated: October 20, 2013
Source:
 As of the end of the season.[39]

Player statistics

No. Pos. Name Apps Minutes Goals Assists Shots Fouls
0GKUnited States Josh Wicks 5450000000
1GKEngland Tony Caig 282550000200
2DFCanada Jeff Clarke 33274312173640
3MFUnited States Steve Klein 3127250241310
4DFCanada Adrian Cann 22(5)19630292800
6MFUnited States James Alberts 23(7)169834281710
7MFCanada Martin Nash 3326892783230
8DFCanada Steve Kindel 29(1)252542213731
9MFCanada Alfredo Valente 10(7)81011122010
11MFUnited States David Testo 19(7)169873414220
12MFCanada Geordie Lyall 24(1)210821122761
13MFCanada Tino Cucca 0(5)47001000
14MFUnited States Tony Donatelli 10(19)127043161910
16DFCanada Kevin Harmse 00000000
16DFJamaica Gary Brooks (4)78002310
17FWUnited States Joey Gjertsen 31(2)2580138671400
18FWCuba Eduardo Sebrango 10(3)104331301621
19DFCanada Sita-Taty Matondo 4(19)55430232320
20DFCanada David Morris 13(19)149812162100
22DFUnited States John Jones 14(7)126010111650
23FWUnited States Corey Woolfolk (1)6000100
24DFCanada Diaz Kambere 2(1)146002410
25DFTrinidad and Tobago Anthony Noreiga 4(12)518102810
26FWCanada Jason Jordan 4(4)396026500
27MFCanada Stefan Leslie 2(3)160003610
29GKCanada Srdjan Djekanovic 00000000
33DFUnited States Ryan Suarez 13(5)13120021140
—–Opponent Own goals ––1–––––

Updated February 28, 2014[40][41]

  • Note this list includes only players that have dressed in the eighteen.
  • Note brackets indicate substitute appearances.
    •
  • Note statistics are for league and playoffs (not preseason or friendlies).

References

  1. ↑ Demosphere International. "#12 Eduardo Sebrango-Rodriguez". Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ Barnhart, Gerald (April 23, 2006). "Strikers on the move". espnfc.com. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  3. ↑ Demosphere International. "2006 USL-1 Season Review". Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  4. ↑ Demosphere International. "2006 W-League Season Review". Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  5. ↑ Soccer United Marketing – Major League Soccer pg 16. "2011 Whitecaps Media Guide" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  6. ↑ Mackin, Bob (March 24, 2006). "Big year ahead for new-look Whitecaps". Vancouver Courier Newspaper. Archived from the original on September 16, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "'Caps owner needs a lesson in economics". The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. March 7, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  8. ↑ "New Partnership With First Wave". whitecapsfc.com. March 30, 2006. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  9. ↑ "The Business of Soccer". whitecapsfc.com. April 12, 2006. Archived from the original on May 12, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  10. ↑ Whitecaps FC Media Release (March 24, 2006). "Whitecaps Men's team Begins Training Camp This Saturday". bcsoccerweb.com. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Whitecaps Men Release 2006 Pre-Season Schedule". whitecapsfc.com. bcsoccerweb.com. March 14, 2006. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Vikes Men's and Women's Soccer Teams to Play Whitecaps". University of Victoria Media Release. February 28, 2006. Archived from the original on March 25, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  13. ↑ "USL First Division 2006 Full Schedule". Demosphere International. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  14. ↑ "Nations Cup Schedule". whitecapsfc.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Chopra strikes in a good run-out for Bluebirds". walesOnline.co.uk. July 17, 2006.
  16. ↑ "Spartans Scrimmage Cardiff City FC". July 24, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Sounders, Cardiff City tie". Seattle Post Intelligencer. July 18, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Nations Cup Schedule". whitecapsfc.com. Archived from the original on July 12, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Chopra stirkes in a good run-out for Bluebirds". walesOnline.co.uk. July 17, 2006.
  20. ↑ "Spartans Scrimmage Cardiff City FC". July 24, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Sounders, Cardiff City tie". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. July 18, 2006. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Rocha resigns post with Whitecaps". Vancouver Province Newspaper. August 9, 2006. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  23. ↑ Stinson, Dan (April 21, 2006). "Caps set new goal(s) for '06". The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  24. ↑ Massey, Benjamin (October 27, 2010). "A Tribute to Martin Nash". 86Forever.com. sbnation.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  25. ↑ Weber, Marc (October 27, 2010). "Nash to announce retirement". The Province Newspaper – Back of the Net. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  26. ↑ Nash, Marc (October 27, 2010). "Nash takes on coaching role". The Province Newspaper. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  27. ↑ Green, Tyler (October 27, 2010). "Martin Nash Announces Retirement As A Player – Takes on New Coaching Role With The Club". Full-Time Vancouver's Soccer Show. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  28. ↑ Mackin, Bob (March 24, 2006). "Big year ahead for new-look Whitecaps". Vancouver Courier. Archived from the original on September 16, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Mark Watson returns to Charleston Battery". charlestonbattery.com. February 20, 2006. Retrieved March 22, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Whitecaps Acquire Sniper From Montreal". whitecapfc.com. bcsoccerweb.com. March 28, 2006. Archived from the original on March 30, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Whitecaps Sign MLS Midfielder/Forward". whitecapsfc.com. bcsoccerweb.com. March 28, 2006. Archived from the original on March 31, 2006. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  32. ↑ Stinson, Dan (April 8, 2006). "Whitecaps add depth, lock up Jones, Noreiga". The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Archived from the original on June 12, 2014. Retrieved March 19, 2014.
  33. ↑ Stinson, Dan (April 20, 2006). "Whitecaps go deep with new signings". The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  34. ↑ Little, Amanda (March 14, 2006). "Old Blues Boy Caig On The Verge of Whitecaps Deal". News & Star. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  35. ↑ Stinson, Dan (June 14, 2006). "Whitecaps wobble out on road trip". The Vancouver Sun Newspaper. Retrieved March 20, 2014.
  36. ↑ Demosphere International. "Team Roster and Player Stats". uslsoccer.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  37. ↑ Demosphere International. "USL First Division – Top 10 Stats Leaders". uslsoccer.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  38. ↑ Demosphere International. "2006 USL-1 Season Review". uslsoccer.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  39. ↑
  40. ↑ "2006 Player Roster and Statistics". Retrieved 28 February 2014.
  41. ↑ "Vancouver Whitecaps Official Schedule". Retrieved March 15, 2014.
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