BURNABY, BC – The day is almost here.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Residency U-16 host Georgia United U-16 in the United States Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) quarter-final on Wednesday at Simon Fraser University Field 4 (6 p.m. PT kickoff).
This will be the first time that the club hosts a USSDA playoff match in Canada, and it's a date the U-16s have had circled in their calendars since last season's quarter-final exit. Admission is free and fans are encouraged to attend and show their support.
The fourth-seed 'Caps won Group H with an undefeated 2W-0L-1D record in the Round of 32, outworking teams with a high-powered attack and active legs on defence to outscore opponents 11 goals to one.
On the other side, the fifth-seed Georgia United U-16 ran the Group G table and arrive in Vancouver looking for an upset.
"I think it's going to be a very difficult game against what is a very difficult opponent," said Whitecaps FC U-16 head coach Adam Day. "They are a good side, they possess a lot of pace and power. We will treat them with the respect they deserve."
Here are what fans can watch out for in this knockout fixture.
BALANCED 'CAPS ATTACK
Day's side displayed their balanced attack in the group stage where six different players scored for Vancouver.
Midfielder Daniel Sagno leads the 'Caps offence with his scoring prowess, after recording two braces in two days last week.
Glorie Amanda, Frazer Poulter, Munir Saleh, Terran Campbell and Cole Morokhovich have also had their names on the scoresheet during the postseason.
WALL OF BLUE AND WHITE
As impressive as the 'Caps frontline has been, this playoff matchup may be won on the other end of the pitch. The U-16 boys were impressive in the group round, allowing only one goal in 270 minutes of action.
Matthew Baldisimo, Kadin Chung, Terrell Smith, Brendan Skinner, Frazer Poulter, and Michael Baldisimo are just a few of the standouts from the backline, but in all it's been a terrific team effort on the defensive side of the ball.
ALL EYES ON OKONKWO
Georgia United U-16 has a lethal weapon in striker Patrick Okonkwo.
After leading the USSDA U-16 league in scoring with 32 goals in 36 regular season matches, the Jamaican native has not skipped a beat in the postseason. He registered a hat-trick in the playoff opener versus Players Development Academy U-16, then tallied three more in the other two matches.
THE WHITECAPS FC WAY
The key to advancing to the final four may lie within the 'Caps themselves. With so much at stake, it is easy to try to do more and play out of the team's character.
"We stress the importance of playing our way, the Whitecaps FC way," Day said. "We are in confident spirits, we are prepared, and we are excited for another meaningful game for us to compete against the best in the league."
The winner of the quarter-final matchup advances to the USSDA Final Four in Carson, California. The semifinals will take place on Thursday, July 16, followed by the championship match on Saturday, July 18.
