USSF D-II: Conference leaders clash as Whitecaps face Aztex

Posted Jun 12, 2010 by Nick Murray

Updated Jun 12, 2010 at 08:30 AM

Vancouver’s trip to Austin highlights the Saturday schedule in the USSF Division II, which sees four other games slated in addition to the Rowdies hosting Montreal.

VANCOUVER (4-2-4) AT AUSTIN (7-1-3): Both teams are coming off draws on Wednesday, USL Conference leader Austin being held without a goal for the first time this season in a 0-0 tie against Portland. The Timbers had the better of that contest, and NASL Conference leader Vancouver’s strong defense, which sees Luca Bellisomo return from suspension, should provide another test for the front duo of Jamie Watson and Eddie Johnson.

The Whitecaps are still looking for their first win on the road this season, and will hope Martin Nash and Marcus Haber can provide the attacking spark against the Aztex. Saturday will be Haber’s penultimate game for the Whitecaps before his loan from England Premier League side West Bromwich Albion expires next weekend.

PORTLAND (3-3-4) AT MIAMI (1-2-7): The Timbers will try for their first win in over a month when it travels to Lockhart Stadium to face the Blues. After opening the season with a 3-0-1 mark, the Timbers have faltered, failing to hold leads against Crystal Palace Baltimore (2-1 loss) and Carolina (1-1 tie) before earning a point against the Aztex on Wednesday.

Ryan Pore is the key figure for the Timbers, having had a role in all of the side’s 10 goals this season. For Miami, Christian Gomez is starting to show why the Blues were so keen to get him this offseason having scored in each of the last three games including the game-tying goal on Wednesday against Crystal Palace Baltimore. He now has four goals and three assists on the season, giving the Blues a second scoring outlet after Paulo Araujo Jr.

BALTIMORE (3-5-2) AT ROCHESTER (4-3-3): Crystal Palace Baltimore will try to shrug off the disappointment of losing two points against Miami when they travel to Rochester. The Eagles led Miami 3-1 with 10 minutes to go on Wednesday night, only to concede two late goals and come away with only a point.

Randi Patterson has been on a good run of form for Baltimore, doubling his goal total for the season with a pair of goals on Wednesday night. He hasn’t had much support, though, with only four other players finding the net for the team.

Rochester has had a full week to recover after their scoreless draw against Minnesota last Friday prevented the Rhinos from gaining more ground on FC Tampa Bay for second place in the USL Conference.

ST. LOUIS (1-7-1) AT PUERTO RICO (3-4-0): The Islanders will try to get back on track after falling to Austin last Saturday and they should against a St. Louis team that has struggled all season.

Steve Ralston left St. Louis this week, returning to the New England Revolution as the team tries to trim its payroll to try and survive this season and put in a framework for beyond. Mike Ambersley has scored twice for St. Louis, providing a small bright spot for the team, but it will be surprising if the team earns more than three wins this season.

Puerto Rico is still at the bottom of the USL Conference and needs to start taking advantage of its games in hand to get back into the playoff picture. At the center of that is Josh Hansen, who is one of three Islanders with three goals this season.