Playing in their second to last match of the season, Vancouver Whitecaps FC U-23 (6W-5L-3D) host their Vancouver Island rivals Victoria Highlanders FC (5W-6L-4D) at Minoru Park Oval in Richmond, BC, on Sunday afternoon, with the Juan De Fuca Plate up for grabs.
The Juan De Fuca Plate is a supporters-driven competition between the three British Columbia clubs in the United Soccer Leagues (USL) Premier Development League (PDL).
With a win or draw, Whitecaps FC U-23, who are 3W-0L-1D against Victoria and Fraser Valley Mariners FC this season, will be crowned champions in the plate’s inaugural year.
“In my opinion, I think the group has played the best football in the league this year,” Residency head coach Craig Dalrymple told whitecapsfc.com. “We’ve out-possessed most teams and out-chanced most teams. Results in the second half of the season have been better and it would be nice to have that capped off by winning that trophy.”
The young ‘Caps are undefeated in their two meetings with Highlanders FC this season - both which took place at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park. Most recently, they captured their first ever victory in Victoria June 9 with a 4-2 decision, after playing to a 1-1 draw earlier in the season.
Whitecaps FC also enter Sunday’s match with a shot at the PDL playoffs, as they trail Washington Crossfire by four points with two matches left.
Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. PT at Minoru Park Oval in Richmond.
