SANDY, UT – Whitecaps FC 2 extended their unbeaten run to four matches on Wednesday night in Utah, claiming a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Real Monarchs SLC.
Here are three things that stood out to me.
TRIUMPHANT RETURN
It’s been a long road to recovery for Andre Lewis and Marco Bustos.
Lewis, who Whitecaps FC selected in the first round of the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, suffered a torn ACL in July 2014 while on loan at USL side Charleston Battery. The 20-year-old Jamaican has been working his way back ever since. And Bustos, a 19-year-old Whitecaps FC Residency graduate, has been out all year with a left foot contusion.
Both players returned to the lineup for the first time on Wednesday night – and they did so in style.
In the 84th minute, Lewis opened his WFC2 account with a well-taken strike from inside the box after receiving a back heel from Billy Schuler. And Bustos, who looked extremely lively in a number 10 position, was involved in the build-up.
These are definitely going to be two players to watch moving forward.
THREE IN A ROW
Richmond native Caleb Clarke has sure made his mark this season with WFC2.
The Whitecaps FC Residency graduate scored the team’s first-ever goal, and then their first-ever goal at home, and now he’s scored in three straight matches. On Wednesday, Clarke finished off a nice little pass from Spanish winger Victor Blasco, who has two assists in his last three matches.
Clarke now has a team-high five goals on the season, which is three back of the USL leader.
COMING TOGETHER
After losing three of their first four matches, the young ‘Caps have now lost just one of their last seven. They’re also undefeated in four, which puts them just one point out of a playoff spot in the USL Western Conference.
Clearly, the team is starting to come together.
“I kind of refer back to PDL last year,” said WFC2 midfielder Brett Levis, who was a member of the U-23 ‘Caps in the PDL last season. “The first six games, I think we lost four and tied two. And then we went on to win 10 games in a row. By no means am I saying we’re going to do that. It’s possible, but I think even the ties and losses we’ve had in previous games, each game we’ve progressed.”
WFC2 are back at UBC Thunderbird Stadium on Sunday, June 14 for Bark at the Bird. Bring your dog to the match as the ‘Caps take on LA Galaxy II. Tickets are only $15. The following week is Father’s Day as dads get in for free with a purchase of another ticket as the ‘Caps take on Cascadia rival Portland Timbers 2 on Sunday, June 21.
Come and see the next generation of Whitecaps FC stars as USL arrives in Vancouver. WFC2 matches are a unique and affordable experience for fans, families, students, and supporters. Season Tickets start as low as $118, with prorated prices available. Flex packs are also available to fit your schedule – get seven tickets to use any way you want, to any matches you want. For more information on all WFC2 ticket options, call 604-484-7862 or e-mail wfc2@whitecapsfc.com.
