VANCOUVER, BC  – Whitecaps FC Boys MLS Academy opened their 2023 League1 BC season with a 1-1 draw against Victoria Highlanders FC at Thunderbird Stadium this Sunday afternoon.
In the first half, Victoria were awarded a free kick set piece opportunity in the 15th minute of the match. Hamish Ogden’s attempt was followed by a strong save from Matheus De Souza.
After the halftime interval, the young ‘Caps would open the scoring after a deflection for an own goal in the 58th minute by Cody Gysbers, which came from a cross inside the area.
Moments later, the Blue & White would find another opportunity in the 61st minute. Whitecaps FC's Joel Demian saw his rebound attempt within the box fly just over the top of the crossbar.
As the match progressed and neared its end with multiple opportunities on both ends, Highlanders FC’s Nick Park would convert a rebound attempt to level the game in the 88th minute.
The final whistle blew at Thunderbird Stadium as both teams shared a point in the opening match of the year.
MATCH DETAILS
Referee: Marko Ristic
Cautions30’ – VIC – Koby Greaves
69’ – VIC – Kensho Ando
81’ – VAN – Nikos Clarke-Tosczak
90’ – VIC – Caden Rogozinski
Scoring Summary58’ – VAN – Cody Gysbers (own goal)
88’ – VIC – Nick Park
Whitecaps FC Boys MLS Academy99.Matheus De Souza; 68.Nikolas White, 95.Joshué Ndakala, 81.Nikos Clarke-Tosczak; 85.Sydney Wathuta (94.Yayo Mutombo 59’), 82.Brennen Fuerst ©, 77.Joven Mann ((89.Michael Hennessy 66’)(74.David Pepple 90’)), 88.Joel Demian; 96.Luke Norman, 69.Koji Poon, 23.Amir Ghasemi (72.Max Comsia 83’)
Substitutes not used
60.Ewan Munson, 75.Ben Schouten
Victoria Highlanders FC1.Harjota Nijjar; 3.Keisean Brook (20.Kayden Miner 85’), 5.Caden Rogozinski, 6.Cody Gysbers; 4.Javier Sagaste (23.Nick Park 72’), 8.Francesco Bartolillo, 2.Gregor Smith; 7.Koby Greaves, 9.Michael Henman 14.Kensho Ando, 22.Hamish Ogden (12.Anthony Preston 65’) 11.David Schaefer
Substitutes not used
31.Logan Pierce, 10.Jonathan Walter, 25.Charlie Stewart
