Hats off to the Whitecaps!

Puerto Rico Islanders v Vancouver Whitecaps

Vancouver wins 2-1

By Aleem Peermohamed

VANCOUVER - The Vancouver Whitecaps won the USL-1 championship this past Sunday with a 2-1 victory over the regular season champions, the Puerto Rico Islanders, at Swangard Stadium in front of a sell out crowd of 5,822 cheering Whitecap faithful.

After a scoreless first half, Charle Gbeke’s header produced the match’s first goal 10 minutes into the second stanza. Puerto Rico stormed back to tie the game quickly. Sandy Gbandi of the Islanders potted a header of his own to tie the game, but Gbeke was not to be outdone. He potted the eventual game winner in the 73rd minute, heading home a cross by Justin Moose.

The Whitecaps would hold on to capture the title, their second United Soccer League First Division Championship in 3 years. Back in 2006 the Whitecaps defeated the Rochester Rhinos to capture the championship.

This was the first championship match at Swangard, since the 1992 Canadian Soccer League final.

Goalkeeper Jay Nolly returned after being suspended for the semi finals.
He made some great saves to keep his team in it when the score was tied 0-0 in the first half. Although Vancouver was sharper in the opening 45 minutes, Puerto Rico did have some quality chances.

For his 2 goal performance, Gbeke was named the USL-1 Championship MVP. He touted those two goals as the biggest of his career…”I’m pretty happy that I scored those two goals with the Vancouver Whitecaps”.

Gbeke was traded from Montreal to Vancouver in the summer, and he also was a member of the Rochester team that lost to Vancouver in 2006. Gbeke remembered that day, being in tears…”but today is a great feeling. As a Canadian, it is very special to win this title with a Canadian Club”.

Gbeke was also called up to the Canadian Mens National team after the game and will join the squad this Wednesday in Edmonton to play in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier versus Mexico at Commonwealth Stadium.