Vancouver’s Nolly sets record for clean sheets

With Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s big win on Tuesday night, goalkeeper Jay Nolly set the Nutrilite Canadian Championship record for clean sheets in a season. Nolly posted his third consecutive clean sheet in the 2:0 victory over Toronto FC, pushing Vancouver into first place in the competition standings.



With but one match left in the championship, Vancouver must wait for the 18 June result between Toronto FC and the Impact de Montréal. Vancouver will win the championship if the Impact can hold Toronto FC to three goals or less. Toronto FC needs to win by four goals in difference to retake first place and win the championship.



Jay Nolly of Littleton, CO, USA is in his second season with Whitecaps FC. The former Indiana University goalkeeper turned pro in 2005 with Real Salt Lake and then played for D.C. United in 2007. Since joining Vancouver in 2008, he has quickly moved into eighth place on the team’s all-time victory list for all competitions (21 wins). Last October, he helped Vancouver win the United Soccer Leagues First Division playoff championship.



In the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, he has four career clean sheets – one last year and three more this season. In last year’s match against Toronto FC at BMO Field – a 1:0 win on 1 July 2008 – he set a tournament record with nine saves in the win. In last night’s win over Toronto FC, he made six saves in the 2:0 win.



Nolly has four clean sheets in eight career matches in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. Last year’s George Gross Memorial Trophy winner Matt Jordan (most valuable player) held the previous record with two clean sheets in the 2008 competition. Jordan is expected to be in net for Montréal this 18 June looking for his third career clean sheet (first of the 2009 competition).



The 2009 Nutrilite Canadian Championship runs 6 May to 18 June in Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver. Depending on the outcome of the final match on 18 June between Toronto FC and the Impact, either Whitecaps FC or Toronto FC will win the 2009 championship. The champion not only takes home the Voyageurs Cup, but also qualifies for the 2009-10 CONCACAF Champions League season. The final match, which will be played at Stade Saputo in Montréal, will be broadcast live on Rogers Sportsnet and Radio-Canada (20.00 ET / 17.00 PT).