Highlanders Host Rovers In Last Regular Season Home Game Of 2019
VICTORIA, BC - Victoria Highlanders FC (6-3-1) host their final regular season home game of the 2019 USL League Two when they take on Vancouver TSS FC Rovers (2-7-2) in Week 10, July 5th (7:15PM PST KO) at Centennial Stadium. The match is the second leg of the Juan De Fuca Plate, the Highlanders took the first leg on the road by a 1-0 score.
WATCH LIVE / STANDINGS
The match will be streamed on the Highlanders Official YouTube Channel.
VICTORIA HIGHLANDERS FC
With only four games left to go, and the playoff race between four teams, every match and every point is crucial for the Highlanders. After tonight, the Highlanders will embark on a three game road trip, one game at Seattle and a two-game weekend series in Calgary to close out the USL League Two 2019 regular season.
The Highlanders are coming off a weekend road trip in Oregon that saw the Victoria side pick up a 2-0 win over Timbers U23, with Victory Shumbusho picking up a brace and Trevor Schneider recording his second clean sheet of the season, before they traveled to Eugene, Oregon where they dropped a hard-fought 1-0 decision to Lane United.
“It was not the result we had hoped for, but there were many positives to take out of this game,” stated Highlanders head coach Thomas Niendorf. “We got stronger as the first half went on, and we had a number of opportunities to score but were unable to take advantage of them. We were hesitant at times with shot opportunities, but the chances were there. We will take the positives from the game and look forward to our next match at home against Vancouver. The playoff race is tight and this division is always a tough one. Points won’t come easy, but this group understands that and knows what we need to do to succeed.”
Through ten games the Highlanders have received goals from Ntignee (4), Victory Shumbusho (4), Sean Young, Joshua Walter, Connor Guilherme, Daniel Davidson (2), Takano (2) and Shojaei (2), with Shumbusho leading in assists with four and shots with 15. The Highlanders have received clean sheets from both Trevor Schneider (2) and Simon Norgrove (2).
Vancouver TSS FC Rovers
Vancouver is coming off a 3-1 loss to Seattle Sounders U23 on Sunday, June 30th in Sumner, Washington. The Rovers scored the first goal of the match, a strike by Elie Gindo, but a three-goal second half by the Sounders was too much to overcome.
Through 11 games Vancouver has received goals from Matteo Polisi (5), Elie Gindo (3), Connor MacMillan (2), Gurmaan Jhaj, Connor Glennon, John Joseph, and Kristian Yli-Hietanan. Meanwhile Luciano Trasolini has picked up two clean sheets on the year.
“Vancouver will be a motivated team tonight. They will want to play spoiler in the playoff race and will be looking to capture the Juan De Fuca Plate,” added Niendorf. “At this time of the season every game is crucial. The points will not be easy to come by and we must take advantage of our opportunities. You don’t have to motivate anybody for this game. The boys understand what is at stake and they understand that they could win silverware tonight while picking up points in the Northwest division title race. The boys are buzzing and ready to go for the stretch run.”
2019 Season Series
The Highlanders and Rovers squared off in the first leg of the Juan De Fuca Plate back on Friday, June 7th at Swangard Stadium. A 66th minute penalty kick conversion by Victory Shumbusho was the only goal of the match and Trevor Schneider turned aside four shots to pick up the clean sheet.
MATCH DETAILS
2019 USL League Two Regular Season – Week 10
Centennial Stadium – Victoria, British Columbia
July 5th, 2019 – 7:15pm PST
WATCH: Victoria Highlanders FC Official YouTube Channel
Around the Park
Phillip’s Brewery Bar
Peninsula Co-op Kids Zone
Island Savings Community Crew: Face painting, games, 50/50, and more!
UVic Concession
Giveaways: First 50 fans into the stadium receive a Highlanders T-shirts.
Added prizes to the 50/50, including golf passes to Highlander Pacific Golf Course.
About Victoria Highlanders FC
The Highlanders compete in the United Soccer Leagues League Two (USL League Two). Developing a path for aspiring professional soccer players to reach the highest level. Notable former players include Brett Levis (Whitecaps FC), Callum Montgomery (FC Dallas), Peter Schaale (Halifax Wanderes), Ryan McCurdy and Nolan Wirth (Pacific FC), Joshua Heard (Real Monarchs), Jamar Dixon (Ottawa Fury), and Matt Polster (Glasgow Rangers). All are notable alumni that have come through Victoria’s ranks.
About The Juan De Fuca Plate
The Juan de Fuca Plate is a supporter-sponsored competition for British Columbian clubs in the United Soccer Leagues League 2 (USL L2), formerly the USL PDL, a semi-professional league with clubs in Canada and the United States.
Founded in 2012 by supporters of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Victoria Highlanders, the Juan de Fuca Plate is meant to spur interest across British Columbia in soccer at the semi-professional level, and to inspire good-natured rivalry between the competing cities.
For more information on rules and past winners, head to https://www.juandefucaplate.ca/