Tyrell Burgess and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC overcame an extended weather delay to defeat Puerto Rico Islanders 4-2 in USL First Division action at Swangard Stadium.
In a match that took over four hours to complete, an early first-half strike by Marcus Haber helped the Whitecaps end a two-match losing streak and secure the regular season series of results versus the Islanders. Though severe thunderstorms in the area delayed the match by over two hours, Vancouver secured the win with three second-half goals - two of which were struck with quality by substitute Marlon James. A Kyle Veris own-goal completed the scoring for the 'Caps. The result keeps Vancouver's unbeaten home run versus the Islanders intact.
In front of a sold-out Swangard crowd of 5,725, the first half was as much eventful for what occurred in the skies around the stadium, as for what occurred on the pitch.
In fact, as the game kicked off, the fans were subjected to a heavy thundershower and some exciting early action between both clubs in the first three minutes of play, as the rain got heavier, Whitecaps fans were given something to celebrate on four minutes, as Haber scored his sixth goal of the season in very fortunate circumstances. The Vancouver striker got on the end of John Krause's poor back header to Behonick, as he knocked it past the keeper and into the empty net for 1-0.
In what proved to be an even and competitive contest, the events on the pitch were not drawing the attention of the fans as it normally would. Some menacing thunder and lightning could be seen from Swangard's main grandstand, with the storm system rapidly approaching the stadium.
After Burgess struck a shot high and wide for the Whitecaps on 40 minutes, referee Oliva called both team captains together to discuss a halt to the action, as the storm clouds moved quickly in.
Though many fans had headed home after the extended weather delay, there were a hearty number of dedicated supporters that stayed on to see the Whitecaps extend their lead on 51 minutes from another Islanders defensive mistake. Burgess' corner from the left was inadvertently headed into his own goal by Puerto Rico defender Veris for a 2-0 Vancouver lead.
The second goal seemed to settle the 'Caps into the contest, with Burgess earning another corner with a shot that deflected just wide of the target on 58 minutes before Addlery nearly had the embarrassment of putting the ball into his own goal after Haber's byline cross struck him in the leg and rolled just wide of the target on the hour mark.
Showing great desire to secure the three much-needed points, the Whitecaps kept pressing and were rewarded with a spectacular finish from James on 64 minutes. Gordon Chin played a forward ball into the feet of the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international on the left-hand side. The substitute then turned Krause before heading inwards towards the edge of the box and unleashing an unstoppable right-foot shot past a diving Behonick for 3-0. It was James' fifth goal of the season.
It was a disappointing night for what was a makeshift Islanders line-up, but there was the consolation of a goal from the penalty spot after substitute Hansen was fouled in the Whitecaps box by Reda with a quarter of an hour remaining. Hansen himself stepped up to beat Nolly with his spot kick and make it 3-1 a minute later.
Undeterred, the Whitecaps restored their three-goal lead on 82 minutes from a fine break out of their own half. Takashi Hirano's forward ball found Burgess down the right-hand side before the Bermuda international played a fine cross into the Islanders box for an unmarked James. His downward header flew past Behonick for his sixth goal of the campaign and a 4-1 Whitecaps lead.
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