VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2 collected a 1-1 regulation draw against Real Monarchs, before the Blue and White added the extra point in the penalty shootout under the bright lights of BC Place on Saturday afternoon.
In the extra kicks, 'Caps first team goalkeeper Adrían Zendejas was golden with two massive saves. Rayan Elloumi scored the winner with a low drive past Monarchs goalkeeper Max Kerkvliet.
Whitecaps FC 2 head coach Ricardo Clark made a welcome change to his starters, as Antoine Coupland returned for his first start in 2025 after recovering from a long-term knee injury. The winger's last time in the WFC2 starting lineup came in October 2024.
On the pitch, the Monarchs took early control. During a counterattack, defender Ruben Mesalles collected a cross out wide to the left side of the box. His strike on target rolled off Zendejas and back into the danger area.
A split-second later, striker Omar Marquez deftly slotted home a tap-in for a 1-0 lead.
The Blue and White ramped up pressure in the centre circle courtesy of two call-ups from the Whitecaps FC BMO MLS academy. Johnny Selemani and Mateo Clark worked in tandem to break up opposition passes.
Clark was rewarded for his relentless pressure. The 18-year-old played a long, cross-field ball for Jackson Castro on the opposite side of the pitch.
Castro then sent a driven ball across the box. After he corralled the cross from Castro, Clark was left completely unguarded inside the box. He made his way to the net and unleashed a thunderous strike at the near post past Kerkvliet for his second goal of the season.
A few minutes later, Castro had a glorious chance from 15 yards out, but Kerkvliet calmly collected the low shot.
In the second half, both sides did well to shut down crossing lanes.
Ousman Touray got on the end of a loose ball with Zendejas caught off his line. However, the goalkeeper recovered to parry Touray’s strike out of play.
Whitecaps FC 2’s best opportunity in the waning minutes occurred after a Daniel Russo corner. The ball eventually fell to Castro, who went for glory with an audacious attempt that flew high over goal.
In stoppage time, the Monarchs were inches away from three points. Substitute Brayan Campáz juked and jived around three defenders – but his cracker from inside the box rang off the crossbar.
In the end, Zendejas would play hero as he denied Real Monarchs twice from the spot to make way for Castro, Daniel Russo, Nelson Pierre, and Rayan Elloumi to put their attempts away for the extra point.
Next up for the Blue and White, they'll head south of the border for an away match against Cascadia rivals Portland Timbers 2 on Friday, May 9. Kickoff from Providence Park in Portland, Oregon is set for 1 p.m. PT.
Whitecaps FC 2 return home to Swangard Stadium for another Cascadia clash against Tacoma Defiance on Wednesday, May 14, with kickoff at 6 p.m. PT. Tickets are available at whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Ivan Jecanski
Scoring Summary
6’ – RMN – Omar Marquez (Ruben Mesalles, Ousman Touray)
21’ – VAN – Mateo Clark (Jason Castro)
Shootout
RMN – Griffin Dillon – Missed
VAN – Daniel Russo – Scored
RMN – Aiden Hezarkzani – Scored
VAN – Jackson Castro – Missed
RMN – Zack Farnsworth – Missed
VAN – Nelson Pierre – Scored
RMN – Tommy Silva – Missed
VAN – Rayan Elloumi – Scored
Cautions
28’ – VAN – Mateo Clark
66’ – RMN – Liam O’Gara
69’ – RMN – Bode Hidalgo
90’+5 – RMN – Zack Farnsworth
Statistics
Possession: VAN 41% – RMN 59%
Shots: VAN 6 – RMN 16
Shots on Goal: VAN 2 – RMN 7
Saves: VAN 6 – RMN 1
Fouls: VAN 5 – RMN 20
Offsides: VAN 4 – RMN 1
Corners: VAN 2 – RMN 7
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2
30.Adrían Zendejas ©; 46.Deylen Vellios, 53.Mark O’Neill, 51.Dembo Saidykhan, 54.Daniel Russo; 44.Jackson Castro, 68.Yuma Tsuji (62.Luca Chen 90’+2); 43.Antoine Coupland (66.Sahil Deo 64’), 64.Mateo Clark (75.Rayan Elloumi 71’); 42.Nelson Pierre, 63.Johnny Selemani
Substitutes not used
60.Alexander Milošević, 48.Adrián Pelayo
Real Monarchs
24.Max Kerkvliet; 19.Bode Hidalgo (55.Gio Calderón 88’), 32.Zack Farnsworth, 67.Wes Charpie, 77.Ruben Mesalles (33.Tommy Silva 59’); 76.Liam O’Gara (87.Brayan Campáz 69’), 81.Griffin Dillon ©; 39.Aiden Hezarkhani, 40.Omar Marquez, 30.Owen Anderson; 56.Ousman Touray (52.Maximus Jennings 88’)
Substitutes not used
49.Bennett Ewing, 61.Izzy Amparo, 75.Loic Adjalala, 97.Prince Abban
