It was successful night for Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency teams in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) against Cal Odyssey at Simon Fraser University on Thursday night, as the U-18 team earned a 5-0 win, while the U-16 squad captured a 3-0 victory.
U-18
The U-18 Residency team continued their winning ways with a 5-0 win against Cal Odyssey U-17/18 on Thursday.
The ‘Caps came out on fire, as striker Caleb Clarke was sent in alone and ripped a shot past the Odyssey 'keeper less than a minute into the game. Carlos Marquez had a superb evening, as he earned a penalty in the eighth minute after a hard tackle from the Odyssey defender in the visitors' box. Marquez stepped to his mark and made no mistake to make it 2-0 ‘Caps less than 10 minutes into the match. Midfielder Yassin Essa would then get in on the scoring, as he capitalized on his two scoring chances, netting himself two goals at 20 minutes and 35 minutes. Clarke would round out the scoring to give the Blue and White a 5-0 lead going into halftime.
With the outcome pretty well in hand, the ‘Caps employed a defensive posture to help goalkeeper Sean Melvin earn his clean sheet, and keep the visitors from Fresno, California, scoreless.
"We had a fantastic start and just kept going from there," said Richard Grootscholten, Whitecaps FC Residency technical director and head coach. "It was nice to spread the offense around and have a variety of play. I would have liked us to keep pressuring more in the second half, but nonetheless, I’m happy with the clean sheet. "
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency U-18
Sean Melvin; Jason van Blerk, Daniel Stanese (Tim Hickson 65’), Adam Polakiewicz, Declan Rodriguez; Alex Rowley, Ben McKendry, Yassin Essa, Carlos Marquez (Wesley Cain 69’); Ben Fisk (Spencer DeBoice 45’), Caleb Clarke (Carlos Patino 45’)
U-16
The U-16 Residency team captured another victory, as they defeated Cal Odyssey U-15/16 by a score of 3-0 on a damp Thursday evening.
The ‘Caps got off to a great start, as a beautiful Matthew Chow cross found Marco Bustos in the box, and he made no mistake putting the ball in the back of the net to make it 1-0 ‘Caps on 10 minutes. Chow was not done though, as another one of his crosses would find striker Sadi Jalali in the box on 25 minutes, and he put it away to help the Blue and White take a 2-0 lead into halftime.
The Odyssey came out hard in the second half, but could not generate any shots on goal. Then a break for the 'Caps, as the visitors played the ball with a hand in the box, which led to a penalty for the home side on 60 minutes and put the Odyssey at 10 men for the rest of the match. Sebastian Cabrera would step up and bury the penalty chance to give the Blue and White the three-goal victory.
"After last week’s tough defeat, I thought we bounced back well," said Craig Dalrymple, Whitecaps FC Residency assistant technical director and assistant head coach. "I saw a complete performance from the team today, which is the most pleasing part."
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency U-16
Marco Carducci; Jordan Haynes, Jackson Farmer, Alexander Comsia (Evan Libke 65’), Quinton Duncan; Matthew Chow, Liam Elbourne (Matteo Bordignon 65’), Mitch Piraux, Sebastien Cabrera (Matthew van der Eyden 62’), Marco Bustos (Anthony Lopez 62’); Sadi Jalali (Parker Ellis 70’)
