MARBELLA, SPAIN – Vancouver Whitecaps FC played their second preseason friendly of 2025 on Wednesday afternoon, drawing 1-1 with Irish side St. Patrick's Athletic FC at the Marbella Football Center.
The match kicked off with Whitecaps FC enjoying the lion's share of possession, but it was St. Patrick's who struck first. In the eighth minute, Axel Sjoberg delivered a well-placed cross that found the head of Aidan Keena, who made no mistake in putting the Saints up early.
Vancouver was searching for the equalizer for the remainder of the half and the best chance came just before halftime. In the 42nd minute, off the second of back-to-back corners, Sebastian Berhalter found MathÃas Laborda at the top of the six. Laborda’s header was expertly saved by St. Patrick's keeper Joseph Anang, and the rebound was cleared off the line, denying the 'Caps.
For the second consecutive match, the 'Caps once again made a full line change to start the second half.
As fulltime approached, Ali Ahmed did well to beat his defender and put a perfect ball into the box for Damir Kreilach, who finished the chance but the goal was called back due to offside.
Moments later, the referee awarded the 'Caps a penalty after a St. Patrick's defender handled the ball in the box. Kreilach stepped up and barried the spot kick to earn Vancouver a 1-1 draw in their second preseason friendly.
The 'Caps continue their Marbella preseason camp with their third friendly on Sunday, February 2 against FC LNZ Cherkasy of the Ukrainian Premier League, with kickoff set for 5 a.m PT / 2 p.m. local time. The team will wrap-up the camp against Swedish side IF Brommapojkarna on Thursday, February 6, with kickoff set for 6 a.m. PT / 3 p.m. local time.
MATCH DETAILS
Scoring Summary
8’ – STP – Aidan Keena (Axel Sjoberg)
90+2’ – VAN – Damir Kreilach (penalty kick)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
32.Isaac Boehmer (1.Yohei Takaoka HT); 2.MathÃas Laborda (18.Édier Ocampo HT), 4.Ranko Veselinović (12.Belal Halbouni HT), 15.Bjørn Inge Utvik (6.Tristan Blackmon HT), 28.Tate Johnson (27.Giuseppe Bovalina HT); 45.Pedro Vite (26.J.C. Ngando HT), 20.Andrés Cubas (13.Ralph Priso HT), 16.Sebastian Berhalter (17.Stuart Armstrong HT); 52.Nicolas Fleuriau Chateau (19.Damir Kreilach HT), 83.Matthew Hoppe (55.Cyprian Kachwele HT), 25.Ryan Gauld © (22.Ali Ahmed HT)