ARLINGTON, TX – Whitecaps FC 2 nearly pulled off a second straight epic three-goal comeback, but ultimately fell just short on Friday in a 3-2 defeat to defending MLS NEXT Pro champions North Texas SC at Choctaw Stadium.
Three players from the 'Caps MLS roster started for head coach Ricardo Clark, including goalkeeper Adrían Zendejas, right back Giuseppe Bovalina, and forward Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau. The starting XI also had three Whitecaps FC BMO Academy call-ups, including Luca Chen, Sahil Deo, and Johnny Selemani making a second straight start.
North Texas opened the scoring on 12 minutes. Anthony Ramirez cut into the box and ripped a shot into the far side of the net to make it 1-0.
WFC2 had their first good chance in the 17th minute, when Bovalina struck a free kick that was snagged by Collodi in net. In the 23rd minute, Sahil Deo had a strike outside the box, but again it was held by Collodi.
In the 31st minute, North Texas was awarded a penalty kick, which Sam Sarver just barely snuck under Zendejas to make it 2-0.
Before halftime, Yuma Tsuji subbed on for Luca Chen to make his MLS NEXT Pro debut.
Seconds before the break, Zendejas made a great stop after a corner kick, but Sarver was there to put in the rebound to score his second of the match.
The second half was once again a different story entirely for WFC2. Nelson Pierre got things started by scoring for a second straight week, heading home a cross from Bovalina.
The Australian Bovalina then scored himself, blasting home a strike on an assist from Deo.
In the 77th minute, WFC2 nearly had their equalizer. Bovalina continued to be a menace on the right flank, squaring a pass to Fleuriau Chateau who had his one-time shot barely deflected out by Collodi.
But it was not to be on this night, as North Texas held on in the end.
Next up for WFC2 is a weekend off, followed by their 2025 home opener on Saturday, March 29 at home to Portland Timbers2 at Swangard Stadium. Kickoff will be at 4 p.m. PT. Tickets are available on Universe for $10, and are included for Whitecaps FC MLS season members ($140 value). Season members can access their complimentary tickets by using their account number as their access key at checkout. Youth 18 and under get in free at the gate.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Brandon Stevis
Scoring Summary
12’ – NTX – Anthony Ramirez (Malachi Molina)
32’ – NTX – Sam Sarver (penalty kick)
45’+5 – NTX – Sam Sarver (Álvaro Augusto)
52' – VAN – Nelson Pierre (Giuseppe Bovalina)
69' – VAN – Giuseppe Bovalina (Sahil Deo)
Statistics
Possession: NTX 49% - VAN 51%
Shots: NTX 18 - VAN 13
Shots on Goal: NTX 8 - VAN 6
Saves: NTX 4 - VAN 5
Fouls: NTX 18 - VAN 8
Offsides: NTX 0 - VAN 1
Corners: NTX 4 - VAN 8
Cautions
16’ – NTX – Mohammed Cisset
73’ – NTX – Caleb Swann
77' – VAN – Nelson Pierre
82' – NTX – Michael Cortellessa
82' – NTX – Josh Torquato
90’+3 – NTX – Daniel Baran
90’+6 – NTX – Sam Sarver
North Texas SC
30.Michael Collodi, 35.Malachi Molina (42.Michael Cortellessa 80'), 22.Álvaro Augusto (5.James Bulkeley 71') (46.Isaiah Kaakoush 83'), 4.Mohammed Cisset, 24.Josh Torquato; 45.Ian Charles (23.Caleb Swann 71'), 50.Diego Garcia, 51.Anthony Ramirez, 17.Jaidyn Contreras (3.Gavin Gall 70'), 11.Sam Sarver ©, 9.Gianluca Cangiano (36.Daniel Baran HT)
Substitutes not used
1.J.T. Harms, 49.Landon Hickam, 79.Leonardo Orejarena
Whitecaps FC 2
30.Adrían Zendejas; 27.Giuseppe Bovalina, 53.Mark O’Neill ©, 51.Dembo Saidykhan, 46.Deylen Vellios; 62.Luca Chen (68.Yuma Tsuji 45'+3), 44.Jackson Castro; 63.Johnny Selemani, 66.Sahil Deo; 52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau, 42.Nelson Pierre
Substitutes not used
60.Alexander Milošević, 56.Maksim Kalina, 61.Kyler Vojvodic, 64.Mateo Clark, 72.Ben Nash
