Victoria United returns to RAP

By Travis Paterson - Victoria News - May 09, 2008

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United set to open season missing seven starters to Gorge FC’s run at the provinicial cup finals

When the Victoria United take to the field on Saturday they’ll be missing 70 percent of their starting line up.

Seven of United’s starting players will be fighting for the province cup in Chilliwack with Gorge FC when Victoria’s Pacific Coast Soccer League club hosts Vancouver Whitecaps prospects at Royal Athletic Park in game one of the season.

“I wish them all the best of luck,” says United coach Ben Hooker, who will still have 15 of the regular roster players to draw from.

“When they come back, I’ll have to make some tough decisions to make,” said Hooker. “I’m not worried about the strength of this lineup at all. But the starting lineup is going to change dramatically this week as oppose to next.”

The relationship between Victoria United and Gorge FC has been strong through the years, but Gorge hasn’t won the province final since 2000.

But there are many veterans from the Vancouver Island Soccer League with United, says Hooker. “There will be some guys will be sitting on the bench this season who’re used to playing 90 minutes with their respective club.”

In the meantime, the former captain of the UNLV Running Rebels has his own team to think about. “We’re playing a 4-4-2 formation this year instead of the 3-5-2 strategy from last year,” explained the second year coach. “The plan should free up opportunities for wingers Matt Northrup and Steve Gateley to jump up in the play a lot more. I want to make sure they can do their thing on offense.”

As for what the visiting Whitecaps will bring, Hooker says it isn’t a point of worry at this point. “We just want to play our game, we don’t know really what Vancouver’s going to do.”

What the other team’s are doing will come into play later on, says Hooker, but there is no way to know what the Whitecaps are doing right now especially since they are returning to the league after a two-year hiatus.

Saturday’s game is the first of three double headers this season as United’s U-21 club is playing at 12 p.m. against Nanaimo SC, while United kick off with the Whitecaps prospects at 2:30 p.m.

Season tickets are now available at the gate, $40 for all nine home games, and are also available at All Sports (3500 Quadra St.) and SoccerWorld (831 Vernon Ave.).

sports@vicnews.com

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Victoria United returns to RAP

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