Thursday, May 22, 2008

TAMPA, FL – The USL First Division Seattle Sounders may be making their final trip to face the rival Whitecaps in Vancouver Friday night when the two long-time Northwest rivals square off live on Fox Soccer Channel at 11:00 pm ET.

With Sounders FC set to play in Major League Soccer next season, the 2008 campaign will be a farewell tour of sorts for the Sounders in general, making the rivalry matches against Vancouver and Portland more significant than usual as it will be the final meetings on equal terms.

Seattle is looking for its third-straight Cascadia Cup in 2008. The fan-based Pacific Northwest derby competition, which also includes Portland Timbers, has not seen the Whitecaps name on the trophy since 2005. With all league games between the three clubs counting towards the standings, Vancouver will hope to make a bright start by claiming results both Friday and in Portland on Saturday. The Timbers currently lead the standings after a win and a draw against Seattle in recent weeks.

Both clubs have gotten off to relatively slow starts to the 2008 season. The defending champion Sounders are 2-1-3 and the Whitecaps are 3-1-1 with only three goals scored.

In their four meetings last season, Vancouver won their home opener 1-0 against the Sounders and took the next match 3-1 in Seattle. Eduardo Sebrango, who has all three current Whitecap goals, registered two goals and an assist in those two meetings. Later in the season, Seattle won 1-0 at home and posted a 2-2 draw in Vancouver.

Next USL on FSC Match: The Portland Timbers visit the Montreal Impact on Friday, May 30 at newly opened Stade Saputo. The game is at 8:00 pm ET on Fox Soccer Channel.