Earthquakes 1 - 1 Whitecaps
Final
  for this game

Struggling Whitecaps, Earthquakes meet at Empire

May 10, 2011 - 10:59 PM Vancouver, BC (Sports Network) - Vancouver debuted in Major League Soccer with an impressive win, but since that 4-2 victory over Toronto FC on March 19, the expansion Whitecaps are winless in eight straight matches.

Although Vancouver (1-4-4) earned its first road point Saturday with a 0-0 tie at the Chicago Fire, the Whitecaps need a win Wednesday night against the San Jose Earthquakes at Empire Field.

San Jose (1-4-2) enters the match on a five-game winless streak, as its last - and only - win was March 26 at FC Dallas, 2-0.

Vancouver coach Teitur Thordarson likely expected some woes for his side, but another loss would leave the club with five losses after 10 matches. However, San Jose could lose its fifth with just eight matches played.

With the Earthquakes in such poor form, Vancouver needs to find a way to get a win at home. The Whitecaps have lost just once on Bell Pitch, but have a loss and three draws in their last four in Canada.

Thordarson has some positives to draw on from Saturday, when "I felt we came out strong and dominated after the break." Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit could also return Wednesday, adding a key piece to the heart of the defense.

However, striker Atiba Harris and midfielders Michael Nanchoff and John Thorrington have been ruled out of the Western Conference clash for Vancouver.

San Jose's winless run was extended with a 1-0 loss at the Philadelphia Union on April 30, but manager Frank Yallop had the weekend off to regroup from the early-season struggles.

San Jose has earned its one win on the road, although its other two away games have resulted in losses.

The Earthquakes also picked up an important win earlier this month in the U.S. Open Cup, when it won at the Portland Timbers in a qualifying match. Portland is unbeaten in MLS play at home.

Ike Opara scored the game-winner against Portland in the 120th minute, and he could return to MLS action Wednesday after missing the last two games through injury.

"It definitely means a lot," San Jose's Chris Wondolowski said on the league's wesbite after the win. "I think it's just good for the morale for the locker room.

"Portland's a really tough place to play, the atmosphere's unreal and Portland's a good team. It's a good one that we can really build on."






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